What to do in Toulouse Must-sees and must-visit
Campsite
– HAUTE-Garonne
The Pink City,
the 10 must-haves
Toulouse is best visited on foot rather than by car, in the morning rather than in the early afternoon, and by knowing a few addresses rather than following the crowds. Here are the 10 must-sees in Toulouse. This guide gives you the practical information you need to organize your stay without unpleasant surprises: real opening times, up-to-date prices, honest durations, and a few tips that locals often keep to themselves.
Visit Toulouse
as local
The Pink City,
authentic version
Toulouse’s historic center
Old Toulouse can be covered in two or three hours of leisurely walking, but you can easily spend a whole day here if you stop off at the cafés and markets. The pink bricks change color according to the light: ochre in the morning, almost red at sunset. It’s at these two moments that the photos are really worth the detour.
Place du Capitole
It’s the city’s central square, unavoidable and, frankly, beautiful. The facade of the Capitole (18th century) is impressive, especially when lit up in the evening. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning (approx. 8 a.m.-1 p.m.), a regional produce market takes place under the arcades. On Sundays, there’s a second-hand book market.
- Access: Metro lines A and B, Capitole station
- Parking : Parking Wilson (fee-paying) a 5-minute walk away, or parking Esquirol
- Best time: Early morning before 9 a.m. for uncrowded shots, or in the evening for a great atmosphere.
Avoid the brasserie terraces on the square side: twice as expensive as the cafés in the adjacent streets, for almost the same view.
Saint-Sernin Basilica
One of Europe’s largest Romanesque basilicas, a UNESCO world heritage site and a stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The interior is sober and moving, with relics on display throughout the stroll. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for a leisurely visit.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8:30am-7:45pm, Sun 8:30am-7:30pm (excluding services)
- Price: Free (crypt and treasure: approx. €2)
- Address: Place Saint-Sernin, 31000 Toulouse
- Arrive outside religious services (11 a.m. on Sundays in particular) if you want to visit in silence. The local organic market is held in Place des Carmes, a 10-minute walk away.
The Jacobins convent
Less well known than Saint-Sernin, but just as striking. The Gothic nave and its “palm” of columns are among the masterpieces of medieval architecture. The cloister, planted with rose and palm trees, is a rare place to take a breather in the middle of a busy day.
- Opening hours: daily 10am-6pm (closed on certain public holidays)
- Admission: Free admission to church and cloister
- Recommended duration: 30 to 45 minutes
- Address: Rue Lakanal, 31000 Toulouse
- The light in the church is best in the morning. The cloister is ideal for a reading break or a coffee in the adjoining café.
Walk through history,
breathe in the Garonne
A crossing,
two atmospheres
The banks of the Garonne, the breathing city
The Garonne runs for several kilometers through Toulouse, and its redeveloped banks have become one of the city’s most pleasant spots. Toulousans run along it, meet up after work and picnic in summer. It’s the ideal place to unwind between visits.
The Pont Neuf and the left bank quays
Despite its name, the Pont Neuf is Toulouse’s oldest bridge (16th century). It offers a fine view over the Garonne and the city. From here, walk down to the left bank quays to reach the Prairie des Filtres – a large, popular lawn where concerts and festivals are held in summer.
- Access: 15 min walk from Capitole, or bus line 12
- In summer: Urban “beaches” set up on the riverbanks, with deckchairs and free entertainment (July-August).
- For a unique panorama of the city: cross the bridge and walk up to St. Peter’s Square on the right bank. You’ll get the view most tourists miss.
Les Ponts Jumeaux
At the northern end of the Canal du Midi, the Ponts Jumeaux (18th century) mark the junction between the canal and the Canal Latéral à la Garonne. The area is quiet, not very touristy, and very photogenic in the morning with the mist on the water. It’s also one of the best starting points for a bike ride along the canal.
Bike rental: VélôToulouse: €1.20/hour or day pass €5
Access: Bus line 70 or self-service bicycle hire (VélôToulouse)
Colors, accents
and products from the South-West
Le rendez-vous gourmand
of Toulousans
Toulouse markets
Toulouse has around twenty regular markets. Some of them are well worth a visit, depending on the day and the area you’re in.
Marché Victor Hugo
The essential indoor market, open all year round. Fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, foie gras, local wines… Toulousans have been shopping here for decades. Upstairs, several restaurants offer popular lunch menus.
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7am-1.30pm (closed Monday)
- Address: Place Victor Hugo, 31000 Toulouse
- Lunch: Count €15-20 for a meal upstairs. Arrive before 12:15 p.m. or you’ll have to queue.
Saturday mornings are crowded. Prefer Tuesday or Wednesday if you can, as the stalls are just as well-stocked and the atmosphere more relaxed.
Saint-Aubin market (Sunday morning)
One of Toulouse’s liveliest and most popular markets. You’ll find the best of local produce, as well as street food stalls, street musicians and second-hand goods dealers. The atmosphere is festive and socially mixed – it’s one of the few places where all generations meet.
- Opening hours: Sunday 7am-1.30pm
- Address: Place Saint-Aubin, 31000 Toulouse
- Access: Metro B, Palais de Justice station + 10 min walk
Arrive around 9-10 a.m. for the bustling atmosphere. After 12 noon, the best products are gone.
Saint-Cyprien district
On the left bank of the Garonne, Saint-Cyprien has long been Toulouse’s popular and somewhat forgotten district. Today, it’s one of the most dynamic, with art galleries, independent cafés and neighborhood markets. A farmers’ market is held here on Sunday mornings, smaller than Saint-Aubin but more local.
- Good lunch plan : The banks of the Garonne on the Saint-Cyprien side, with a view of the Pink City
- Market: Place du Fer à Cheval, Sunday 8am-1pm
Top activities
with children in Toulouse
Visiting Toulouse with children
Toulouse has plenty to offer the whole family : interactive museums for young and old, fun parks, walks along the Garonne and gourmet breaks. Children’s activities are numerous and varied.
The Cité de l’Espace
This is Toulouse’s biggest family attraction, and it keeps its promises. Real replica of the Ariane 5 rocket, space station simulator, planetarium, solar system exhibition… It’s easy to spend half to a whole day here. Bring a good pair of shoes, as the site is vast and partly open-air.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (7 p.m. in summer), closed on Mondays during non-holiday periods
- Adult price: approx. €24, children (5-15 years) approx. €18
- Access: Bus 37 from Palais de Justice station, or on-site parking lot
- Duration: Minimum 3 hours, allow for a full day with the family
Book your tickets online in advance to avoid queuing at the entrance, especially during school vacations. Bring a picnic, as on-site catering is expensive.
Toulouse Museum
The Natural History Museum has been renovated and is very well designed. The naturalist collections are remarkable, and the children’s workshops are lively. Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
- Address: 35 allée Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
- Price: Adults €7, children (aged 4-17) €4, free on 1st Sunday of the month
From Toulouse to the Mediterranean,
by bike
Cycling the Canal du Midi from Toulouse
The Canal du Midi links Toulouse to the Mediterranean over 240 km. Its towpath is entirely accessible by bike or on foot, under century-old plane trees. It’s one of France’s most beautiful greenways, a UNESCO world heritage site. Even a half-day trip from Toulouse is well worth the detour.
Heading east (towards Carcassonne), the canal first skirts the eastern districts of Toulouse, before entering the countryside. The first locks soon appear, with their ferrymen’s houses and manicured gardens. In summer, pleasure barges abound and the locks are bustling with activity.
- Recommended period: April-October, avoid the heat wave of August.
- Bike rental: several rental companies in town, €15-25/day for a standard bike.
- See our Toulouse by bike page.
Cycle touring stage on a campsite in Toulouse
For cyclists wishing to sleep on site rather than return to Toulouse, the camping le Rupé is a well-placed stopover north of the city.
Easy access from the towpath, good facilities for cyclists (showers, bike storage), and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also a convenient starting point for those heading to Toulouse from the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, before branching off to the Canal du Midi.
- Location: just north of Toulouse, near the canal and the Sesquières green base, 7 km from the city center (Capitole), near the Canal Latéral à la Garonne (150 m, Pont de Rupé exit).
- Bike access: directly from the towpath or canal banks, 3 minutes by bike from the cycle path.
- For whom: touring cyclists, families, motorhomes
All you need to know
before you leave
A few practical tips to help you organize your visit
Getting around: The metro (2 lines) covers the center well. The tramway serves the northern and eastern districts. For bicycles, VélôToulouse works well for short distances. Avoid the car in the center, as parking is difficult and expensive.
Eating: Cassoulet is the local must (beans, duck confit, Toulouse sausages). Good addresses are rarely opposite monuments. Look in the streets around Place Wilson, the Carmes district or Saint-Cyprien.
Period: Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the best seasons: mild, few crowds, markets in full swing. In July-August, the city is emptied of some of its inhabitants, but fills up with tourists.
Average budget: Toulouse is less expensive than Paris or Lyon. Count €15-25 for a good lunch with a drink, €8-12 for a drink on a terrace in a non-touristy area.
The Toulouse Visit Pass (1, 2 or 3 days) includes transport and museum discounts. Good value if you visit several paying sites in a day.