Toulouse

Save

38 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.

Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓

10 places on the map

Free things to do

1
Grand main square fronted by the neoclassical city hall.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Look up at the ceiling paintings inside the Capitole
- Markets and events happen regularly
- Stunning at sunset in pink brick light
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
2
Lively pedestrian square lined with café terraces.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Good for a lunch stop
- Lively in the evenings
- Short walk from the Capitole
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
3
Elegant circular square and start of the pedestrian centre.
3 tips
- Great start for a walking tour
- Lovely terraces for coffee
- Close to the metro stop
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
4
Riverside quay with views of Pont Neuf and the Garonne.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Perfect picnic spot at sunset
- Watch locals gather on the lawns
- Close to the Basilique de la Daurade
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
5
Oldest bridge in the city, spanning the Garonne in brick.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Best view of the Garonne at sunset
- Walk it toward Saint-Cyprien
- Free to cross any time
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
6
Largest Romanesque church in Europe and a UNESCO site.
3 tips
- Visit the crypt for a small fee
- Free to enter the nave
- Stop by the Musée Saint-Raymond next door
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
7
Unusual cathedral combining two architectural styles.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Notice the off-centre nave
- Quiet gardens behind
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
8
Quiet city park with ponds and shaded paths.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Good for children
- Combine with the Muséum
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
9
UNESCO-listed canal with tree-lined towpaths.
3 tips
- Rent a bike to ride the towpath
- Stroll near Port Saint-Sauveur
- Lovely in autumn colours
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place
10
Riverside lawn along the Garonne, popular at sunset.
📷 Photos
Open in Google Maps More about this place

Take this map with you

Save Free things to do to Google Maps

Opens Google Maps with these places, ready to save to your own list.

Before you go: Toulouse tips

Transportation

Ride the Tisseo network: Toulouse's metro lines A and B, the trams and buses are run by Tisseo; buy a ticket at machines or use the Tisseo app and validate before each trip.
Take tram T2 to the airport: Tram line T2 links Blagnac Airport with the city, connecting to metro line A at Arenes, which is an easy and cheap alternative to a taxi.
Cycle with VelOToulouse: The VelOToulouse bike-share has stations across the centre and is great for riding along the Garonne quays and the towpath of the Canal du Midi.

Security

Watch bags at Place du Capitole: Pickpockets target crowds on Place du Capitole, at the Christmas market and in busy markets, so keep your bag closed and in front of you.
Take care near the station at night: The streets around Matabiau station and parts of Bayard can feel rough late at night, so take a taxi or the metro rather than walking.
Look out for cyclists: Bike lanes and shared paths along the quays and boulevards are busy, so look both ways before stepping off the kerb and keep out of marked lanes.

Saving

Use museum free days: Many city museums, such as the Musee des Augustins and Saint-Raymond, offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, so plan your culture day then.
Order the plat du jour: Bistros around Saint-Cyprien and the Carmes offer a weekday lunch formule with the dish of the day, often much cheaper than the same food at dinner.
Picnic by the Garonne: Buy bread, cheese and saucisse de Toulouse at Marche Victor Hugo or Marche des Carmes and eat on the grassy banks of Prairie des Filtres.

Weather/Clothing

Pack for hot summers: July and August can be very hot in Toulouse, so bring light clothes, sunglasses and a hat, and plan walks for the morning and evening.
Bring a jacket for winter: Winters are mild compared with northern France but can be grey, damp and chilly, so pack a warm jacket and an umbrella from November to March.
Brace for the autan wind: The vent d'autan is a strong, warm south-easterly wind that can blow for days and is said to make people restless, so a windproof layer helps.

Cultural

Order a real cassoulet: The hearty bean stew with duck confit and Toulouse sausage is a regional classic, so try it at a traditional restaurant, ideally in the cooler months.
Explore aerospace culture: Toulouse is Europe's aerospace capital, home to Airbus, so visit the Cite de l'Espace or Aeroscopia museum to see Concorde and Airbus aircraft.
Join the rugby fever: Stade Toulousain is one of Europe's most successful rugby clubs, and watching a match at Stade Ernest-Wallon or in a bar shows real local pride.

Local Hacks

Sunset on the Garonne quays: Locals gather on the quays near Pont Neuf and Quai de la Daurade at dusk with drinks and picnics, when the brick facades glow across the river.
Lunch above Victor Hugo market: The small restaurants upstairs at Marche Victor Hugo cook with produce from the stalls below and serve hearty, good value lunches.
Catch the Ville Rose glow: Toulouse's red brick buildings like the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and Capitole turn pink in late-afternoon light, which explains its nickname La Ville Rose.

1-day itineraries in Toulouse

Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.

Day 1 of 2

Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and around

🕘 9:30–17:00📍 5 stops

1Cathédrale Saint-Étienne
2Musée des Augustins
3Hôtel d'Assézat et Fondation Bemberg
4Place du Capitole
5Couvent des Jacobins

See the day →

Day 2 of 2

Canal du Midi and around

🕘 9:30–12:45📍 3 stops

1Place Wilson
2Canal du Midi
3Musée Georges-Labit