10 Best Places to Visit Near Toulouse

The Capitole de Toulouse, known by locals as just the Capitole, is the city’s central district. The main square is dotted with bistros and restaurants, with the neoclassical facade of the city hall standing majestically along one side. It’s free to visit this official building and you’ll marvel at the architecture and the abundance of gilt and marble inside. Art lovers should head to the Salle des Illustres where you’ll find magnificent works of art dating back to the 19th century.

Outside, the main square bustles with a daily market. It can get very hot during the summer months, so be sure to visit early in the day if you plan on walking around this lively area.

The Canal du Midi will impress you with its sheer size and beauty. Extending over 240 km from Toulouse down to the Mediterranean port of Sète, this canal was once an important trade route in France. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and used primarily by tourists on chartered boats.

You can hire a boat, dine on a restaurant barge or go canoeing on the canal. For those who prefer to stay on land, why not take a stroll along the tree-lined paths and relax in one of the quaint cafes? There’s also a paved section between Toulouse and Avignonet-Lauragais which is popular with locals who love to enjoy the scenic views, whilst cycling or hiking along the banks.

The Basilica of Saint-Sernin is a beautiful building which lies in the heart of the city. It’s a wonderful Romanesque church, with a UNESCO designation and it’s an important stop on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle pilgrim route. You’ll love the stunning architecture and the unusual cream, rose and golden shades of the stonework. There are regular choir and organ concerts, which are incredibly popular, as well as art exhibitions.

It’s free to visit the basilica and be sure to pick up a free “Discovery Tour” guide at the entrance. It showcases 10 highlights of the church, including the stately organ, which was inaugurated in 1889, and the Fresco of the Resurrection which dates back to the end of the 11th century.

The Muséum de Toulouse is a great choice for families. With plenty of activities and interactive displays, you can introduce curious, little minds to relevant topics including climate change, environmental problems and biodiversity. Kids will love the skeletons and fossils in the paleontology section and the astonishing colors of the rocks and minerals in the geology section of this natural history museum.

Your ticket gives free access to the botanical gardens, so you can also enjoy a stroll through nature and admire the colorful plants and fragrant aromas of the flowers. For the museum, admission to the permanent collection is free on the first Sunday of each month, but you can’t book in advance so you’ll need to arrive early.

The quays of the Garonne give some spectacular views of Toulouse. The left bank is home to a city park with a fun playground for kids. You can picnic overlooking the river and Toulouse’s oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf. Stroll gently north and appreciate the majestic architecture of the Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques and the water tower.

On summer evenings, the right bank is popular with locals, who gather in the Daurade district. You’ll see lines of people sitting along Promenade Henri Martin with their legs dangling over the river, as they watch the boats set sail on their evening cruises. Visit Mirador La Daurade observation deck for some great sunset photos.

Marché des Carmes lies in the historic district and it’s an indoor food market for all the senses. You’ll marvel at the colorful rows of fresh vegetables and the symmetrical lines of olive oil and wine. The amazing scent of freshly baked baguettes lingers in the air as you weave your way through the crowds, gradually replaced by delicate fragrances of cheese and cold meats.

There are around 40 vendors selling fresh, regional produce. You’ll find honey, floral vinegar and the Toulousain specialty, cassoulet (a rich stew with sausage and haricot beans). Locals arrive early on Saturday mornings to stock up for the weekend, so it can get very busy. Head here midweek, if possible, for a quieter experience.

The formidable Church of the Jacobins is in central Toulouse. The Gothic-style building may look austere from the outside, but step inside and you’ll enter a stunning church with magnificent architecture and dazzling stained-glass windows. It’s home to the tomb of Italian priest Thomas Aquinas (even though he never visited Toulouse).

You’ll love the serenity in this historic church. In summer, the cloisters are full of people relaxing on deckchairs, enjoying a quiet moment away from the bustling city. It’s also a good choice for families, as there are great interactive games for children. For just a few euros, you can hire a tablet so that kids can learn the history of the church in a fun and inspiring way.

Rieux-Volvestre is a small, picturesque town approximately 50 km south-west of Toulouse. It’s a beautiful place to visit, with a stunning cathedral in a Southern French Gothic style and 9 hiking trails along the banks of the Garonne. It’s best known for its Village Gaulois (Gallic Village) on the outskirts of the town.

Sprawling over 9 hectares of forest, you’ll step back in time and visit traditional huts where artisans demonstrate their crafts. You’ll watch in awe as pottery, coins and leather goods are made, and you’ll learn how to weave baskets. This fascinating site combines archeology, history and culture. Kids will particularly love the animals here, with pigs, geese, sheep and ducks dotted around the park.

Cité de l’espace is a fantastic park in eastern Toulouse for budding astronauts and astronomy lovers. You can learn fascinating facts about the solar system, watch an exciting 3D movie on asteroids in the IMAX movie theater and even see if you have what it takes to pass the recruitment tests to become a European astronaut.

The nocturnal events in summer are a popular choice with both locals and tourists alike. See the sprawling gardens come alive with thousands of twinkling lights and enjoy a space show screened directly onto the enormous rocket, Ariane, in the grounds. Then head to the domed observatory for an unmissable telescope experience as you discover the night sky.

The Forêt de Bouconne begins approximately 25 km west of Toulouse and extends over 2,300 hectares. It’s a glorious escape from city life, with hundreds of oak, pine and sweet chestnut trees and a wide variety of flora and fauna. You’ll see locals walking their dogs and cycling here, and there are benches and tables scattered throughout the forest so you can enjoy a lazy picnic surrounded by nature.

Check out the Forêt de Bouconne’s website to choose from numerous hiking and jogging trails, as well as dedicated circuits stretching over 110 km for mountain bikers and cyclists. There are also several equestrian centres nearby if you’d like to explore these beautiful woods on horseback.