In the context of the complicated Covid-19 pandemic, many cities in France, including Toulouse, have imposed restrictions such as: all restaurants, bars, as well as museums, cinemas and theaters... must close, only shops, grocery stores and churches are allowed to open. Wearing masks is mandatory throughout the city, and people are required to "socially distance" as much as possible.
The suburbs of Toulouse have become eerily quiet, with many streets almost deserted. The city only bustles in the mornings, when many people go grocery shopping or line up to be tested for Covid-19.
But this situation gives visitors to Toulouse a new perspective. Toulouse is not pretentious, colorful, but completely quiet. You can focus on observing the city's architecture, learning about its history and capturing its original nature without being distracted by the noisy crowds. You can take time to admire Toulouse's Roman buildings. You can feel the intimate vibe in the winding cobblestone streets of the medieval city center. You can walk along the deserted banks of the Garonne River. And so your trip will be more pleasant and at the same time extremely memorable.
Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France (after Paris, Lyon and Marseilles) and is a 4 hour 30 minute train ride from Paris. With a large network of universities, the city has a large student population, making it a very vibrant city, famous for its vibrant nightlife. In the past, the city has been influenced by Spanish and Arabic cultures, which is reflected in its distinctive cuisine, language and architecture.
Although a large city, the center of Toulouse is quite small, just enough for visitors to walk to all the most important places. With ancient architectural beauty, peaceful and poetic nature, this place is an ideal destination for anyone. Not only that, Toulouse is also known as the cleanest city in France, where there is no dust and the air is extremely fresh.
To the French, Toulouse is known for its laid-back lifestyle, proud locals, aerospace industry, rugby fans, culture of drinking on the banks of the Garonne, eating Cassoulet (duck and bean stew) and being referred to as “La Ville Rose”.
Why is Toulouse called “La Ville Rose” (the pink city)? It’s because pink bricks and tiles were used to build many of the buildings around the city, giving Toulouse its unique charm. Depending on how long they’re fired in the kiln, the bricks (called “briques foraines”) can be a pale pink, a coral pink, or a deep orange. The color of the bricks also changes depending on the time of day – bright pink at sunset, light pink in the sun, and deep pink in the rain.
Highlights in Toulouse
Garonne River
Toulouse has a river named Garonne, which is likened to a beautiful ink painting. The Garonne River is the largest river in France, and on both sides of the river is a typical French landscape: ancient houses connected together, with rows of green ancient trees stretching...
You can stroll under the trees, breathe in the fresh air and explore the historic bridges that cross the gentle river.
Neuf Bridge
Crossing the Garonne River, Pont Neuf is one of the interesting tourist attractions in Toulouse. Built in the 16th century, Pont Neuf is the central bridge connecting the two banks of the city. Standing on this bridge, you can observe most of the famous buildings around and relax watching the Garonne River flowing slowly. In addition, there is also a telescope installed on the bridge to help visitors fully see the city of Toulouse in sight.
Saint-Sernin Basilica
Considered one of the largest churches in the city, Saint-Sernin Basilica is considered a top tourist attraction for visitors to Toulouse.
The Basilica of Saint-Sernin was built in the Romanesque style, with elaborate decorative details, from the bell tower to the glass windows. The basilica was completed in the 13th century, with many areas for visitors to visit such as the chapel, the 6-storey clock tower or the tomb of Saint Sernin.
The Midi Canal
Visit the Midi Canal with its beautiful and extremely poetic scenery, you will feel like you are immersed in nature, enjoying the extremely fresh and pleasant atmosphere. Stretching from the city of Toulouse to the port of Sete, the Midi Canal is one of the extremely important shortcuts connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. The path along the canal is where city residents often walk and cycle.
