Toulouse Travel Guide: Top Things to Do, Food, and Aviation

France

I had the opportunity to visit Toulouse France while I was on work travel. While most people when visiting France go visit Paris, Toulouse is a large city that has much to offer as well without as many tourist around. Toulouse is located in southern France and the Toulouse metro area is home to Airbus headquarters and has a strong influence from the aerospace industry. There is also a amazing Aerospace Museum located in the Toulouse Metro area.

What to see in Toulouse

First up is the Capitole de Toulouse, a bustling hub of the city. If you get the chance, definitely go inside to admire the stunning paintings and the beautiful architecture.

My favorite story is I was eating dinner one night at a restaurant across from the capital. I am unsure if its this area or all of France, but duck is a popular dish to eat. I ordered duck breast as my meal, the waiter asked me how I would like it done, thinking in my head, duck is poultry and it should be cooked thoroughly (well done). Well the waiter was nice (or brave enough) to tell me that it wouldn’t taste that good, so I was like okay, what do you suggest? He told me, something like medium or medium rare, and I was like sure, lets go with that. Glad the waiter spoke up and I took his suggestion, the food was delicious!

They like their Carousels it appears. Found two of them. I am sure there is some history to them, if you know what it is, feel free to let me know.

This one is the Carousel du Jardin Pierre Goudouli.

I was unable to find the name of this carousel.

Stopping at one of the cities most famous locations is the Basilique Saint-Sernin church. Built between 1070 and 1120, and was consecrated in 1096 it brings some amazing history and sightseeing.

They have a ton of bridges like that go over the Garonne River, and coming from the Midwest, I found their architecture unique.

Conclusion

The food in Toulouse was consistently excellent, so be sure to explore a variety of dining options. While I’m more of a beer drinker, France is, of course, famous for its fine wines. There’s so much to see and do in Toulouse, and my limited time on work travel only gave me a small glimpse of what the city has to offer. If you’re looking for more to do, consider visiting the Musée Aeroscopia near the airport, or take about an hour’s drive outside the city to Carcassonne, a historic town with a 2,500-year history and an impressive medieval castle.