Toulouse packs an impressive amount of culture, history, and technology into a walkable city center. Nicknamed La Ville Rose (the Pink City) for its distinctive terracotta brick architecture, it is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the Canal du Midi), the European aerospace industry’s headquarters, and one of France’s largest university populations outside Paris. Most attractions cluster in the compact historic center, making it easy to cover the highlights in 2 to 3 days. For monthly climate data, check our Toulouse weather by month guide.
Things to Do in Toulouse: Landmarks and Architecture
Basilica of Saint-Sernin
This 11th-century Romanesque basilica is the largest remaining Romanesque church in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. The five-tier octagonal bell tower rises 64 meters and is visible from much of the city center. Inside, the ambulatory houses an impressive collection of reliquaries. Entry to the basilica is free. The crypt and ambulatory treasury cost 3 euros. Open daily from 8:30 AM to 7 PM (shorter hours in winter, until 6 PM). Located at Place Saint-Sernin, 5 minutes’ walk north of Place du Capitole. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for a visit. The surrounding square has cafes where you can sit with a view of the basilica’s brick facade. Our best time to visit Toulouse page covers seasonal planning in detail.
Place du Capitole
The city’s main square is an enormous open space (12,000 square meters) paved with granite and lined with arcaded 18th-century buildings in pink brick. The Capitole building itself houses the city hall and the Theatre du Capitole opera house. You can walk through the courtyard to see the Salle des Illustres, a gallery of 19th-century paintings of Toulouse’s famous figures, free of charge on weekdays. The square hosts the Christmas market from late November through December 25. The Tourist Office is located in the dungeon of the Capitole tower (Donjon du Capitole) at the southeast corner, open Monday to Saturday 9:30 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM. See the Toulouse events and festivals calendar for upcoming events.
Couvent des Jacobins
This 13th-century Dominican convent is a masterpiece of Southern Gothic architecture, known for its palm-tree vaulting: 22 ribs fan out from a single central column in the church, creating a visual effect like a stone palm tree. The cloister is one of the best preserved in France, with a garden of medicinal plants. Entry is 5 euros (free first Sunday of each month). Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM (until 7 PM in summer). Located on Rue Lakanal, a 5-minute walk from Place du Capitole. Allow 45 minutes. The convent hosts classical concerts during the Piano aux Jacobins festival in September. Our best neighborhoods in Toulouse page compares areas across the city.
Things to Do in Toulouse: Museums and Science
Cite de l’Espace (Space City)
Toulouse is Europe’s space capital (home to Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, and CNES), and the Cite de l’Espace is the city’s flagship science museum. It features a full-scale Ariane 5 rocket (53 meters tall), a Mir space station module you can walk through, a Soyuz capsule, and two planetariums. The IMAX cinema screens space documentaries. Entry is 24.50 euros for adults, 17.50 euros for children 5 to 15. Open daily 10 AM to 6 PM (until 7 PM in July and August). Located at Avenue Jean Gonord, about 20 minutes by bus from the city center (bus line 37 from Jolimont metro station). Plan at least 3 to 4 hours; the site is large and there is a lot to see. The on-site restaurant is adequate but overpriced; bring a packed lunch or eat before you go. The where to stay in Toulouse guide has hotel recommendations by area.
Aeroscopia Aeronautical Museum
Next to the Airbus factory at Blagnac, this museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of aircraft: two Concordes (one you can board), an Airbus A300B, a Super Guppy transport plane, and dozens of vintage military and civilian aircraft. Entry is 14 euros for adults, 10 euros for children 6 to 18. Open daily 9:30 AM to 6 PM. You can combine your ticket with the Airbus Let’s Visit tour (24 euros combined) for a 90-minute guided bus tour of the A350 assembly line; book the Airbus tour online at least 2 weeks ahead as slots sell out. Take tram T1 to Beauzelle-Aeroscopia stop, about 20 minutes from the city center. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the museum alone, or 4 hours with the factory tour. For practical travel advice, read our Toulouse travel tips page.
Musee des Augustins
Housed in a former Augustinian monastery from the 14th century, this fine arts museum holds a collection spanning Romanesque sculpture to 19th-century French painting. The Gothic cloister garden is free to visit and is a peaceful escape from the busy streets. The museum holds works by Delacroix, Ingres, and Courbet. Entry is 5 euros (free first Sunday of the month). Open Wednesday to Monday 10 AM to 6 PM (closed Tuesdays). Located on Rue de Metz, 3 minutes from the Pont Neuf bridge. Allow 1 to 2 hours. For the complete overview, visit our Toulouse travel guide.
Things to Do in Toulouse: Outdoor and Leisure
Canal du Midi
This UNESCO-listed 17th-century canal runs 240 km from Toulouse to the Mediterranean at Sete, and the Toulouse section makes for an excellent walking or cycling route. Rent a bike from VeloToulouse (the city bike-share system, 1.20 euros per day for a subscription plus usage fees) and cycle the towpath from Ponts-Jumeaux (where the canal meets the Canal de Brienne and Canal de Garonne) south toward Ramonville. The path is flat, shaded by plane trees, and takes about 2 hours for a leisurely 15 km round trip. Boat trips on the canal are available from Les Bateaux Toulousains (from 10 euros for a 1-hour cruise, departures from Port Saint-Sauveur near the city center).
Jardin des Plantes and Jardin Royal
These two adjoining parks in the southeastern part of the center offer 7 hectares of green space with botanical gardens, a duck pond, children’s playgrounds, and a small cafe. The Jardin Royal (Royal Garden) is more formal, with manicured lawns and statues, while the Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden) has themed plant collections and a small waterfall. Free entry, open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM (until 9 PM in summer). Metro line B, Carmes or Palais de Justice stations. A good spot for a picnic lunch or a break from sightseeing.
Japanese Garden at Compans-Caffarelli
A small but meticulously designed Japanese garden in the Compans-Caffarelli district, with a red bridge, koi pond, tea pavilion, and carefully raked gravel. It was created in 1981 and is maintained by the city’s parks department. Free entry, open daily 8 AM to 8 PM (until 9 PM in summer). Located behind the Pierre Baudis congress center, 10 minutes’ walk north of Place du Capitole. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. The surrounding Compans-Caffarelli park has wide lawns popular with sunbathers and picnickers in summer.
