One Perfect Day in Toulouse | Best Things to Do + Itinerary
Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France, and has such a charming and unique feel. Unlike most cities in France, which are often constructed in stone, Toulouse is mainly constructed with bricks made from pebbles and sand sourced from the Garonne River, which flows through the city center.
The bricks have led to the nickname, the Pink City. Although we felt like most buildings weren’t truly pink, but rather different shades of red.
Still, we actually thought the city was pretty colorful for being an inland French city (generally you expect these bright colors on the French Riviera such as in Villefranche or Menton).
Many streets in the city center are lined with buildings of various shades of tan, peach, light red, and darker red, with accents and shutters in green, blue, and red. Alternating red and white stones are often used in the accents around windows – creating a striped appearance.
Besides its unique appearance, Toulouse is full of engaging attractions, such as the notable Capitole building, the multiple churches and monasteries, the river and bridges, parks, and many museums.
How to Spend One Perfect Day in Toulouse
While you could easily spend a few days exploring Toulouse, or basing yourself in the city and exploring the many interesting nearby villages as day trips, I think one day is a great start and you can get a great feel for the city in that time.
If you only have time for a single day, here is my recommendation for how to make the most of your day in Toulouse.
Marché Victor Hugo
Start your day in Toulouse at the Victor Hugo Market, an indoor covered market selling a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, and fresh meat (including some very…unique items like brains and hooves).
There are also quite a few boulangeries and patisserie stands selling breads and sweets, as well as a few places selling hot food to eat right away. The level above the market houses a hall of restaurants which open in the afternoon and evening.
I always find markets a fascinating place to visit in France, as they are generally filled with local people buying regular “local” goods, and you get a peek into what regular life is like in the city.
Chapelle des Carmelites
My jaw dropped when we walked into the Carmelite Chapel – it is STUNNING. This beautiful, single-room chapel of the Carmelite order was constructed in 1622 and is the only part of what was once a larger Carmelite convent left standing.
The vaulted ceiling really takes this monument to the next level – with the oak paneling and hanging keystones adorning the ceiling, and the murals and frescos inspired by the Sistine Chapel paintings. The chapel is considered a masterpiece of 18th-century Toulouse, and I have to agree.
Hours: Wed-Sun 10am-7pm, closed Mon/Tues
Basilica Saint Sernin
Basilica Saint Sernin is a beautiful, soaring basilica which, in typical Toulouse style, is constructed with light bricks instead of stone. Tapestries hang from the pillars lining the nave, and many busts of saints are displayed along the sides of the church.
Don’t miss going under the altar to a small basement where precious artifacts and scepters are on display.
The backstory of the cathedral is fascinating. It is named in honor of Saturnin, the first bishop of Toulouse, who lived in 250 AD. He died a martyr after being dragged by a bull through the streets up to the Forum temple (which is no longer standing).
Rue du Taur (Street of the Bull) is where he was dragged, and today is the street leading to the basilica. A small church was built on his grave in the 5th century, which quickly became a very popular pilgrimage site.
In the 11th century, the current Basilica of Saint Sernin was constructed and has continued to be a popular pilgrimage site in southern France.
Place du Capitole
La Place du Capitole is the main square in Toulouse and is a beautiful square surrounded by Toulouse’s characteristic light red buildings, archways, and restaurants with patio seating all around the square.
The Capitole building itself, the city hall of Toulouse, dominates the large, open square and features grand architectural elements. For example, there are Roman sculptures on the rooftop, pink marble columns (one of the actual pink things in Toulouse), and many decorative elements around the exterior.
The Capitole is free and open to visitors and believe me, you definitely want to visit this administrative building for the Salle des Illustres, a series of 3 gorgeously decorated rooms.
The Salle des Illustres is a truly incredible, historical room. Built in 1674 and remodeled in 1892, it celebrates the city’s most notable figures with its stunning and ornate décor.
Sculptures, paintings, and frescos from local artists adorn the walls and ceilings, and a striking fresco depicting a pivotal 1218 battle is a highlight of the room. This magnificent room is used as a wedding venue and is also a vibrant showcase of Toulouse’s heritage.
Lunch: Midi 37 sandwich shop
Just around the corner from the Capitole is this charming little sandwich shop, offering artisanal, fresh-made paninis in a cozy atmosphere. Boulangeries sandwiches are a very common (and a quick and easy way) to get lunch in France.
Shopping Streets
Rue d’Alsace Lorraine
Rue Saint Rome
Jacobin Convent Church and Cloisters
The Jacobin Convent was constructed for the friars of the Catholic Order of Dominicans, which was founded in Toulouse in 1215. This historical complex was specifically designed for Dominican friars whose mission centered on saving souls through preaching.
The convent includes a church adorned with stained glass windows, towering archways, and serene alcoves.
For a small fee, you can explore the cloisters, with an arched pathway surrounding a central courtyard filled with trees and a covered well. I love cloisters – they are so pretty and calming, and this spot was a highlight of our visit.
Placards throughout the complex offer insights into the friars’ daily activities and spiritual mission, which we found quite interesting. Finally, we loved the side chapel with the colorful and beautifully painted ceiling mural.
Canal du Midi and Canal de Brienne
The Canal du Midi and Canal de Brienne are very important locations in Toulouse. Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and is an important waterway in southern France.
The Canal de Brienne is just a small canal connecting the Garonne River to the Canal du Midi but is easily accessible in central Toulouse.
Both canals offer picturesque walking paths along the water and are popular spots for biking and walking – you can also take a boat ride down the canal.
Place St Pierre + St Pierre Bridge
The St. Pierre Bridge is a relatively new bridge in Toulouse that offers great views over the Garonne and the Old Town. It’s particularly beautiful with the Dome de la Grave prominently rising behind the bridge offering an iconic view of Toulouse.
The Place St Pierre is a picturesque square right in front of the bridge, which is actually a tiered walkway down to the river. This is a very popular spot to hang out, especially at sunset on a warm summer’s night, and gives easy access to the Promenade Henri Martin.
Promenade Henri Martin
Even if you only have 24 hours in Toulouse, you can’t miss walking the Promenade Henri Martin, a waterfront walkway right along the north side of the Garonne River, starting at the Canal de Brienne and ending at Pont du Halage de Toumis bridge.
The most popular section of this riverside walk is between Pont Saint-Pierre and Pont Neuf, two of the most notable bridges in Toulouse.
The wide walking path runs right along the river, with no railing – there are actually steps leading down to the water’s edge almost the entire length of the path (the river is quite shallow right at the end of the water, but you’d still want to exercise caution).
The area is clean and charming with benches and the steps right at the water’s edge being very popular places to relax on a sunny afternoon or evening in Toulouse.
This map illustrates where the path runs:
Pont Neuf
Pont Neuf was built in 1632 to replace the older Pont de la Daurade, which was built in 1125. The bridge has a very historic look to it – with bricked arches across the river.
Fun fact: In French, Pont Neuf actually means “New Bridge”, though now it’s one of the oldest in the city. Paris also has a Pont Neuf, which is also the oldest bridge in Paris.
Fondation Bemberg – Hotel d’Assézat
The Fondation Bemberg is Toulouse’s esteemed fine art museum housed in the Hotel d’Assézat, an opulent Renaissance mansion from the 1500’s.
The museum displays the collection of Georges Bemberg, an art lover who acquired an extensive collection during his lifetime. The museum displays his entire collection, plus other pieces acquired by the museum.
Different rooms have themes – some rooms are full of impressionist art, while another room has paintings of Venice (a favorite vacation spot for Georges Bemberg). Another room was full of of luxurious cabinets that were popular in the late 1600’s.
Jardin des Plantes + Jardin du Grand Rond + Jardin Royal
Right next to the Museum of Toulouse (a natural history museum) are three separate but interconnecting gardens.
The Jardin de Plantes (the Botanical Garden) is the largest and has themed gardens, beautiful and exotic plants, sculptures, a little pond and waterfall, and a playground for kids.
It connects to the Jardin du Grand Rond via a charming pedestrian bridge above a busy street. The Jardin du Grand Rond features a large fountain, many sculptures and flowers, nice walking paths, and a little gazebo. It connects to the Jardin Royal via another above-street pedestrian bridge.
The Jardin Royal is the smallest of the three greenspaces, but has a lovely pond, more walking paths, and a statue of Saint Expupery (the esteemed author of the book Le Petit Prince).
This is a really charming and peaceful area to walk around in Toulouse.
Dinner: Bar Aligot
If you eat one thing in Toulouse, it needs to be cassoulet – the dish that the city is famous for. I’d recommend stopping in at Bar Aligot, a casual restaurant with very friendly hosts, to try both cassoulet and aligot made from family recipes.
Cassoulet is made of soft, melt-in-your-mouth white beans in a slightly thickened broth, with chunks of sausage and duck. The beans had a good soft but chewy texture and the broth was very flavorful – I actually liked this dish more than I thought I would (white beans generally aren’t my favorite).
Aligot is another regional dish that is made of mashed potatoes with sour cream and an enormous amount of melted cheese. The cheese makes the potatoes super stretchy and you almost have to pull and twist the potatoes like spaghetti.
Wrapping Up the Best Things to Do in Toulouse
This one-day itinerary guides you to the best places to visit and things to do in Toulouse. We loved the red and pink buildings around the city, and the pretty, colorful accents on the doors and windows.
Toulouse is a charming and delightful city and definitely deserves a spot as you travel around the country!
