There’s no need for rose-colored glasses to appreciate the beauty of Toulouse. The very bricks used in its historical buildings imbue the city with a captivating surface light. Add to that the layers of cultural significance – past and present, musical and culinary, natural and industrial – and this fourth-largest metropolis in the country demonstrates its depth too. After all, Toulouse is home to one of France’s largest universities outside of Paris; Airbus, Europe’s aeronautical manufacturing giant; and the Canal du Midi, the World Heritage Site-listed waterway that, with the Garonne River, helps ensure Toulouse always goes with the flow.
Fun Facts
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Toulouse is nicknamed La Ville Rose (The Pink City) due to the red-brick façades seen all over town.
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The 38 stations of Toulouse’s metro system are unique in that they all house works of contemporary art.
Significant Site
Capitole: the 18th-century home of the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), Théâtre du Capitole (opera house) and the Salle des Illustres (a display hall of 19th-century masterpieces by local artists)
Extraordinary Exhibit
Cité de l'Espace: a unique museum and park centered around space exploration
Delectable Delights
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cassoulet toulousain: a slow-cooked stew of white haricot beans, duck confit and saucisse de Toulouse, served in a traditional earthenware pot
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wines of the Southwest: over 300 grape varieties, 14 named geographical areas and 29 protected appellations
Legendary Local
Claude Nougaro: a popular singer and songwriter
Daring Development
A first: a French city (Toulouse) has been chosen as the European City of Science for 2018
Also in the Area
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Airbus factory: see how planes are built on a visit to the A350 or A380 assembly lines, a “panoramic” tour of the grounds or a look at how aviation can be more eco-efficient
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Canal du Midi: Europe’s oldest still-in-use canal, this 17th-century manmade water link between Toulouse and the Mediterranean s\Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site