Best places to see in Toulouse in a day south of France

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Toulouse historic center in France

Something that has always caught my attention in most of the cities I have visited in France, except the wonderful Paris and some other city, especially with a university environment, is the scarce atmosphere in the streets as soon as the afternoon starts to fall, even in summer.

A good example of this would be the city of Poitiers, which is well worth visiting for its great heritage of Romanesque art.

Therefore in meToulouse visitat South of France, in the Occitania regionI was surprised by the great atmosphere in the streets of its historic center.

Half-timbered house in the historic center of Toulouse

This is largely easy to understand because it is about the third university city of the Gallic country.

In fact other university cities like Rennes or Tours, its historic centers also show a great atmosphere.

To this is added the more open character that characterizes the people of the south of France, so that it is easy to find places with very lively terraces of cafes or restaurants, as well as a lot of concurrence through the streets of medieval origin of the city.

Toulouse, the pink city

In you stroll through the historic center of Toulouse you will discover why they call her the pink city.

New bridge over the Garonne river in Toulouse

This is due to the characteristic color of the facades of the houses, for whose construction bricks were used instead of stones.

In this way, in Toulouse you will find numerous mansions built at the time of the production boom of the plant known as pie,

These mansions combine with the half-timbered houses with brick facades that still remain in the city as an exponent of medieval times.

If you ask visit the historic center of Toulouse, an option always recommended is to sign up for one of the Guided visits that are organized by the Tourist Office.

With various itineraries, you will explore the most prominent corners of this city that lives on the banks of the Garonne river, discovering in this way their heritage.

Assezat mansion in Toulouse

What to see and do in Toulouse in one day

In my short stay in Toulouse We participated in one of these guided tours with a duration of just over two hours, in which we toured the most important corners of the city and discovered its most outstanding monuments.

Here is the information with the best places to see and things to do in Toulouse in one day.

Assézat mansion in Toulouse

Thus, one of the samples of the Toulouse cultural heritage is the Assézat mansion.

Built in 1557, it is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance in Toulouse.

Black Virgin in the Church of Ntra Sra de la Dorada in Toulouse

Its owner was the merchant Pierre de Assézat who had prospered with the pastel herb trade (glasto).

When you visit it you will see that the highlight of the building is its patio, with its galleries and balconies.

Our Lady of the Golden Church in Toulouse

On the banks of Garonne river Find it Church of Our Lady of La Dorada.

It is a building whose origins date back to the 6th century, although the current facade, which will remind you of a classical temple, is much more recent, from the 19th century.

To emphasize in its inferior the image of the Black virgin, which is dressed in luxurious clothes.

And also comment that the interior walls of the church were once covered in gold, hence the name of it.

Tango festival in the Plaza de la Dorada in Toulouse

La Dorada Square in Toulouse

Next to this church is the Dorada Square, very popular among the Tolosanos.

In it every July is celebrated on Tangopostal Festival in which the popular tango dances take center stage in this French city.

With these dances the fact that the famous tango singer is rememberedGardel He was actually born in this French city, which is something little known, and I discovered when I reached Toulouse.

In this area you can see some house that goes back to the Middle Ages, with its typical framed facades (colombage).

On the other side of the river is a popular neighborhood that has its origin in the thirteenth century, and which concentrated many Republicans exiled from Spain after the Civil war.

Basilica of San Sernin in Toulouse

Basilica of San Sernín in Toulouse

Nearby you find the St. Peter's Square, very popular among university students, with its garden area that, in reality, are the remains of the cloister of an old convent.

Now, the main axis of the historic center of Toulouse is the one from the Basilica of San Sernín (Saturnine) takes you to the Capitol Square, Where is the town hall.

The mentioned basilica is possibly the most important historical monument of this French city.

Not least it is the second oldest in France and the largest Romanesque temple that remains standing in Europe.

Basilica of San Sernín in Toulouse

But theBasilica of San Sernin (San Saturnino) is linked to the pilgrimages ofFrench Way of Saint James, being one of the main stages of the area, along with theConques Abbey.

The basilica ofToulouse It was built at the end of the 11th century to house the relics of the said saint, of which the legend says that he was martyred when he was dragged by a bull, in the year 250.

From an architectural point of view, there is no doubt that you will be surprised by its dimensions, which will call you even more attention by being in the center of a square.

Built mainly in brick, with decorative stone elements, its tall octagonal tower 64 meters high and five levels stands out.

Another prominent element is the head, with its five chapels distributed around the apse.

Basilica of San Sernín in Toulouse

Of greater artistic interest than the front door is the lateral one, calledMiegeville Gate, which you access after crossing a stone porch, and where you should look at the sculptural wealth of the eardrum built in 1110.

The interior of theBasilica of San Sernin It is available in five ships.

Schedules visit Basilica San Sernín

Thevisiting hours of the Basilica of San Sernin de Toulouse they are, from June to September, every day of the week, from 8.30 to 19 hours; In the rest of the year, the schedule is from 15 to 18 hours.

With those same schedules you can visit the crypt and the ambulatory (chapels in the back of the apse), with a ticket price of 2.50 euros, and free for children under 15 years.

And if you want to see the enclosure of the tomb of San Saturnino, you must go on November 29, the day of the saint, the only one that is open to the public.

Calle del Toro in Toulouse

Calle del Toro in Toulouse

From the San Sernin Square, where the basilica is located, part of the bull street which ends in the great esplanade of the aforementioned Capitol Square.

The bull street, like the church of the same name that is in it, remember the martyrdom of San Saturnino, who died dragged by a bull.

Toulouse Capitol

The great monument of the square is The capitol, that is, the town hall, an 18th-century building with a neoclassical facade that alternates stone and bricks of striking red color.

I will tell you that the paintings and sculptures of the Capitol show paintings and sculptures from the late nineteenth century that feature characters and outstanding events of the Toulouse city history.

Capitol Square in Toulouse

Convent of the Jacobins in Toulouse

Finally, from this walk through the historic center, I will highlight the nearby Convent of the Jacobins, from the 13th century, a huge brick building with the characteristic southern Gothic style.

It highlights the paintings and stained glass, although what distinguishes its interior is the huge rib vault known as The palm.

Toulouse Space City

Already outside the historic center, and especially if you are taking a trip with children, you can visit the theme park Toulouse Space City.

Toulouse Space City

This park is the reflection of the historical linkage of Toulouse since the end of the 19th century to the development of the aeronautical industry, a city that is currently the company's headquarters Airbus.

In you visit of the City of Space You can see stunning spaceships, as well as multimedia presentations and various interactive attractions.

How to get to Toulouse

Toulouse is an hour and a half drive west of the city of Narbonne, and just over 4 hours north of Barcelona.

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Video: Toulouse Vacation Travel Guide. Expedia (March 2024).