Toulouse, France, was on our shortlist of places we seriously considered calling home when we moved to France. Its student population, aerospace heritage, and nickname, La Ville Rose, were all pretty intriguing.
Now that we’ve spent some time there (and more than just one day in Toulouse), I’m glad we ended up where we did in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, closer to Paris.
After an incredible two weeks driving around the Basque Country, a more impressive part of the country that blends into Spain, Toulouse was a bit of a letdown.
It seemed more rundown than we’re used to around France, with more litter, dog poop, and harassment from folks who have seen better days. I’ve shared this experience with other bloggers, and they thought it was an aberration. So many people LOVE this city.
I’d give it another go, perhaps in warmer temperatures, but after five days here, we just won’t be rushing back. It’s no Brittany! (We’re in a love affair with Brittany, basically.)
If you only have a day or so in Toulouse, I think that’s plenty to get an idea of whether you’d make a return trip here…or not. Here’s a guide to how we’d prioritize a day in Toulouse!
Quick Tips for Your Toulouse Visit
Your Flight: Toulouse is well-connected by train from Paris and Bordeaux, or you can book a flight into Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. Use Skyscanner to explore your options. Love those deals? Subscribe to Going.
Your Accommodations: We stayed at an apartment that I wouldn’t recommend on our trip to Toulouse. Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for more options. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.
Your Ride: You don’t need a car if you’re just visiting Toulouse, but it can make your trip more efficient. It may also be useful if you hit the road after. Book a rental car for your road trip ahead of time.
Top Spots: Visit Aeroscopia, explore the Couvent des Jacobins, and walk along the Garonne.
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One day is enough to see the highlights of Toulouse.
One day in Toulouse gives you enough time to see the city’s best sights, enjoy a proper sit-down lunch, and get a feel for its energy.
If you have a full weekend, you can add museums, parks, and day trips to Carcassonne or the vineyards around Limoux. With just one day, this Toulouse itinerary keeps things efficient without feeling rushed.
How to Spend One Day in Toulouse
You can spend one day in Toulouse like this:
- Start at Aeroscopia.
- Have lunch at Marché Victor Hugo.
- See Place du Capitole, the city’s main square.
- Visit the Couvent des Jacobins.
- Stroll along the Garonne and Pont Neuf.
- Stop at Place Saint-Pierre.
- Try pastis at Chez Tonton.
- Finish with dinner at Une Table à Deux.
One Day in Toulouse
You have a busy day, but it’s all doable. We had a car to make things even more efficient.
If you don’t have a car for your trip to Toulouse, you can take the T1 Tram from central Toulouse to get to your first stop on this itinerary. It should take you about 40 minutes, and then it’s a 10-minute walk from there.
Get an early enough start that you can get to your first stop right when it opens. You want enough time back in the city center when you’re done with the airplanes!
I can relate if you need coffee to kick things off first. The Coffee Pot is a cute spot, and it’s open for a bit before Aeroscopia opens. They sell little treats, too, in case you need a nosh before you get started.
Stop 1: Aeroscopia
If you have even a passing interest in aviation, Aeroscopia is worth building your day around. This aerospace museum near Toulouse-Blagnac Airport highlights France’s major role in aviation history. Toulouse is the heart of Airbus operations.
We visited in the off-season, so we didn’t have to elbow our way through any rooms. While none of the planes on the tarmac were open during our visit, the indoor exhibition halls were extensive.
Highlights included stepping inside a Concorde and the Super Guppy, both of which were new to us.
Note: There is an introductory video playing inside the hangar of the Super Guppy, but it’s all in French. The visuals are still cool, though.
Check out a clip of our time there if you’re on the fence:
You can also book Airbus factory tours through Aeroscopia when available, but those are limited to Wednesdays, Saturdays, and most school holidays. There are quite a few of those, so just check the website for tickets if you’re interested.
We just chose the self-guided option of the main museum, and didn’t feel like we missed out on anything. Plan to spend at least two hours here before heading back toward the city center.
Fun fact: If you’re a big fan of all things flight AND small businesses, you’ll want to try Brasserie Aviateur. You’ll see their beers in restaurants around Toulouse. To support the source, their brewery is outside of the city, but you can order pickup from their garage space in Toulouse. That’s what we did!
Stop 2: Marché Victor Hugo
After Aeroscopia, head into the center and make your way to Marché Victor Hugo, or the Victor Hugo Market.
Note: If you can avoid parking in central Toulouse, you should. We kept our car at or near our accommodations when possible, and walked into the historic center from there. The closer you get to the Old Town, the more of a nightmare it is to park!
The ground floor is a classic French covered market with produce, cheese, meat, and prepared foods. Upstairs is where things get more interesting, with casual restaurants popular with locals.
Reservations may be needed in the summertime, but we were able to walk right into the eatery of our choice a little after noon. Keep in mind that it did get busier close to 1pm. That’s a more customary lunchtime for the French.
We ate at Le Magret, known for its cassoulet, a traditional Toulousain dish made with beans, duck confit, and various cuts of meat.
I had to order it, because when in Toulouse and all that. It was very filling, and kept to a temperature of hot lava for the duration of my meal.
Brian ordered the grilled octopus, which was a more impressive dish than the cassoulet. It’s just hot beans, people. I also accidentally ordered tête de veau, or calf’s head, which was an experience in itself.
If cassoulet is on your list, other popular options in Toulouse include Restaurant Emile and Le Bibent.
Stop 3: Place du Capitole
After lunch, toot away some of those beans by passing through Place du Capitole, the symbolic heart of Toulouse.
The Capitole building houses both the city hall and a theater. During our visit, Christmas decorations were going up for the upcoming markets, partially obscuring the façade, but it still looked like an impressive space.
If you step inside, you’ll find the Salle des Illustres, a grand hall lined with marble and large-scale paintings that trace key moments in the city’s history. It’s an opulent space for its uses today, but that’s France for you.
Even if you don’t linger, this is one of those places you’ll inevitably pass through as you explore the city.
Stop 4: Couvent des Jacobins
From the Capitole, walk to the Couvent des Jacobins, one of Toulouse’s most impressive historic sites and a pleasant surprise for both of us.
The exterior was partially covered in scaffolding during our visit, which felt very European. Inside is where the real drama happens. The soaring ceilings and palm-shaped columns make this former Dominican convent feel more theatrical.
Fun fact: The church was used as a military barracks under Napoleon, complete with a floor cutting across the nave.
For a small fee, you can access the abbey spaces and learn more about the Dominican friars who lived here. You’ll read placards about how they had to submit to regular whippings, for example, whenever they were bad. No, I’m not kidding.
Stop 5: The Garonne and Pont Neuf
From the Jacobins, head toward the river and walk along Quai de la Daurade. This stretch offers views of the Garonne and Toulouse’s oldest bridge, Pont Neuf.
If you’re lucky (or unlucky), you’ll notice artist James Colomina’s installations under one of the arches.
I thought it was an actual small child. Then I thought it was a clown. It’s actually a small red figure wearing a dunce cap meant to symbolize those who live on the margins. I mean, sure, James. It was creepy, in any case.
Here’s a clip so you can see what I mean:
Continue along the quay, reading the plaques that explain the harbor’s history, before looping back toward the center.
If you love public art, by the way, you can find more of Colomina’s work across Toulouse. The “man with the apple head” is one of the most popular ones. Find him near the Jean Jaurès Metro Station.
Stop 6: Place Saint-Pierre
End your afternoon at Place Saint-Pierre, a popular gathering spot near the river. Even in cold weather, people were sitting on the steps overlooking the water. In warmer months, this area is likely more lively, fueled by Toulouse’s large student population.
This is a good place to pause, people-watch, and decide how much energy you have left for the evening.
Stop 7: Happy Hour
For an early-ish drink, Chez Tonton is a local institution known for its legendary happy hours and alcohol served by the meter. We stopped in to try pastis, which is served over ice with water on the side if you want to dilute it.
Neither of us loved it, but if you enjoy black licorice flavors, maybe you’ll disagree with me. I’ve made the crack that Jeppson’s Malört is more palatable, and I stand by the statement. I’m also from Chicago, so Malört is near and dear to my heart.
READ MORE: What else is Chicago known for? Lots of things! Check out my guide for a local perspective.
If sweets are more your speed, L’écureuil Gourmand caught our eye from the window with its whimsical fruit-shaped desserts. We ended up spending quite a bit of coin inside.
They look like marzipan but are actually filled with mousse. The mango, with real fruit inside, was the standout that made the bill a little less painful.
Optional Stop 8: Canal du Midi
If you have time, walk a bit of the Canal du Midi to stretch your legs some before dinner. This is one of Toulouse’s most famous features, built in the 17th century to connect the Garonne River to the Mediterranean.
While it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it can be a little hit or miss. Sections of the canal were lovely, especially as the light softened in the evening, but it was also pretty littered in other spots.
It’s still worth seeing, especially if you’re able to pop into the Jardin Compans-Caffarelli. The Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis, the park within the park, is small but lovely, with several contemplative spots to take a break and enjoy the quiet.
Stop 9: Dinner
For dinner, get a little more upscale with a meal at Une Table à Deux. We were here for lunch, but as it was our favorite meal in Toulouse, I bet your dinner experience will be lovely, too.
The menu was tight, just two choices per course, with subtle Asian influences. There was a blue cheese and pear dessert that was one of the most interesting things I ate on the entire trip, and we’d been on the road for over two weeks by that point.
Service was attentive, even when our server had to deal with diners who seemed personally offended by the lack of endless menu options. They were French, by the way, which was something you don’t see too often in Karen situations.
Make your reservation online before you go, as it’s a small space that fills up quickly for lunch and dinner.
If you’re in the mood for something lighter, Maison Sarment was on my list among the city’s wine bars for its tapas. Le Bièrographe looked fun, too, for craft beer and a more laid-back vibe.
Toulouse skews young, and you’ll feel it more as the evening goes on, especially near Place Saint-Pierre and along the river. You’ve been warned!
With More Time in Toulouse
We had five days in Toulouse, so we saw quite a bit more of the city. I suppose that’s a big reason why we won’t return anytime soon, apart from the fact that it wasn’t our favorite. We just saw quite a bit already!
If you have more than one day in Toulouse, here are a few extra ideas:
- See a thorn from THE Crown of Thorns (supposedly) at the Basilique Saint-Sernin, a Romanesque church with an extensive crypt.
- Stroll through the Jardin des Plantes and the nearby Grand Rond.
- Go museum hopping at the Musée des Augustins or Musée Saint-Raymond, if they’re open.
- Visit Les Abattoirs, a contemporary art museum in a former slaughterhouse.
- For more art, visit the Georges Bemberg’s Foundation — Hôtel d’Assézat, for the private collection of Argentine art collector Georges Bemberg.
- Shop at La Maison de la Violette, because violets are very much a Toulouse thing.
- Learn about science at the Cité de l’Espace, a popular family-friendly activity.
- See the Chapelle Saint Joseph de La Grave, up close, as you’ll likely see its dome from several viewpoints across the city.
- Plan a day trip to medieval Carcassonne or Limoux for sparkling wine.
- Take the guesswork out of your eating options for the day with a guided food tour.
How to Get to Toulouse
Most travelers interested in seeing Toulouse start in Paris. The most straightforward option is the train, with high-speed services departing from Paris Montparnasse and arriving at Toulouse Matabiau.
Flying is another option. Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is well-connected, with direct flights from many European cities and frequent domestic routes. From the airport, the city center is an easy tram or taxi ride away.
We visited Toulouse on a road trip that started near Paris. The drive from Paris usually takes about seven hours, but it’s a good option if you want the freedom to stop elsewhere along the way.
We visited La Rochelle, Cognac, and the Basque Country on our trip to Toulouse, all destinations we may not have visited otherwise without a car.
Where to Stay in Toulouse
We stayed in an apartment that I wouldn’t recommend for our extended time in Toulouse. While the unit was fine, the garage was a nightmare, and we weren’t warned how tight it’d be heading down there.
It resulted in a situation involving emergency buffing tools to get scratches out of our rental car. I’ll just leave it at that.
If you’re only here for a short trip, I’d just stay at a hotel centrally located to what you’d like to do while you’re here. Browse your options for accommodations in Toulouse using the map below:
Toulouse is worth visiting for the day.
Toulouse may not have ended up being the place for us long-term, but I can’t say that it’s not worth visiting. The city’s aviation history is interesting, and it’s fun to try a new regional cuisine or a city that feels distinctly different from Paris or Bordeaux.
If nothing else, it’s a place that’ll help you understand France a little bit better, as the more you see of the country, the more you appreciate it. I’m all about travelers forming their own opinions about places, too!
Planning more travel in France? Check these out:
- Should You Plan a Visit to Rocamadour?
- Is Paris Really as Expensive as They Say?
- A Guide to Charming, Underrated Nantes
- Plan Two Very Busy Weeks in Brittany
- Avoid These Things About France in the Summer
More guides for travels to France:
- A Castle Guide to the Loire Valley
- Why Versailles Should Remain on Your List
- Things to Do in Artsy Pont-Aven
- Tips for a Fun Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel
- How to Plan the Best Day in Montpellier
Want to see more?
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