Is Toulouse Worth Visiting?
Let us answer this question immediately — yes, Toulouse is absolutely worth visiting! Now, you may think we’re biased, but there’s a long history behind that short answer. Jessica, the founder of Taste of Toulouse, fell in love with the city on her first visit and soon made it her adopted home. It was this passion that fuelled the crafting of our delicious, English-speaking Toulouse Walking Tours.
You can find more on this tale on our About Us page. Of course, you don’t have to be open to relocating to fall under Toulouse’s charm (although we can’t guarantee you won’t want to move here after your visit). Our city has something for everyone, from those on fleeting visits to people enjoying long, wistful summers in southwest France. In this blog, we want to share some of our favorite reasons why Toulouse is worth visiting, so you can make unforgettable memories here too.
So, let’s get started! And if you think of any questions while you read, please don’t hesitate to contact us for the answers you need.
Toulouse is Home to Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
You can find historical interest around every corner in Toulouse, but our two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the jewels in the crown. Let’s start with the remarkable Canal du Midi, a 360-km (223-mile) network of waterways that starts in Toulouse and runs through to Marseillan and the Thau Lagoon. This engineering marvel is part of a system that makes up the Canal des Deux Mers, which links the Mediterranean with the Atlantic.
The creator of the Canal du Midi, Pierre-Paul Riquet, started work on this mammoth project in Toulouse, taking great care to create a design that blended seamlessly with its surroundings. The canal has a staggering 328 structures along its route, including aqueducts, locks, tunnels, and bridges. Built between 1667 and 1694, it is widely considered one of the greatest civil engineering projects of the 17th century.
Today, the canal is still loved and cherished by locals and visitors alike. Whether walking along the water’s edge, cycling the canalside paths, or joining a barge cruise, exploring the Canal du Midi is a great way to connect with our city.
Toulouse’s other UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Basilica of Saint Sernin. This stunning 11th-century structure of stone and brick is one of the western world’s largest Romanesque buildings. The basilica was built in honor of Toulouse’s first bishop, Saint Saturnin (or Sernin), and boasts an octagonal bell tower, an elegant apse, and five vaulted naves. This fascinating pilgrimage church is a stopover on the world-famous Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James.
Toulouse is a History Buff’s Dream!
When we said you can find historical interest around every corner in Toulouse, we weren’t exaggerating. There’s far more for history enthusiasts to enjoy beyond our UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The perfect example? The Uniqlo at 3 Rue du Poids de l’Huile has a preserved vestige of a Roman defense tower dating back to the 1st century in its basement.
Toulouse’s historic center hasn’t become a showpiece where only tourists go. It’s still a hub for locals going about their days, so you can truly immerse yourself in the joys of the present while marveling at those of the past.
Simply strolling around is a great way to encounter Toulouse’s history, but some of the best attractions to base your journey around include:
- Saint-Etienne Cathedral
- Jacobin Convent
- Le Capitole
- Chapelle Saint Joseph de la Grave
- Notre-Dame-de-la-Dalbade
- Notre-Dame-de-la-Daurade
- Chapel of the Carmelites
- Musée Saint Raymond (antiquities museum)
Looking for more trip inspiration? Read our blog What are the Best Things to See and Do in Toulouse in One Day? when you have finished here.
Toulouse Has So Much Youthful Energy!
Don’t get the wrong impression of Toulouse — this isn’t a sleepy historical city. In fact, it’s one of the largest university cities in France, so we welcome students from all over the world. This creates a vibrant energy in the city that manifests itself on terraces, in the vast array of quick and inexpensive restaurants, and in the areas where students love to congregate, like the Place Saint Pierre.
As a seat of learning, Toulouse is home to many captivating museums, too, including numerous establishments celebrating modern advancements like Cité de l’Espace. We cover some of the highlights in our picks for the best museums to visit in Toulouse.
Toulouse’s Architecture is as Unique as it is Beautiful
Many aspects come together to make a city, but the buildings are its very fabric. Here in Toulouse, we’re fortunate enough to have gorgeous brick buildings made of clay and sand from the Garonne River. This use of local materials gives our city a unique character that you won’t find anywhere else. It also helps that many of the buildings created with these materials are simply beautiful!
As with the historical landmarks above, walking around the historic center is one of the best ways to encounter our city’s architectural highlights. In fact, the recommendations covered there are some of Toulouse’s most eye-catching structures. But some more striking architecture to admire during your stay includes:
- Hôtel d’Assézat
- Hôtel de Bernuy
- Hôtel du Vieux-Raisin
- Hôtel de Bagis
- Pont Neuf (New Bridge – which is now the oldest bridge)
If you’re wondering how to navigate our city to take in everything it has to offer, we’ve got you covered. Our guide How to Get Around Toulouse is filled with local tips and insights for visitors.
Toulouse Has Incredible Food and Drink
Toulouse’s much-celebrated gastronomy attracts visitors from near and far. The talented artisans and rich culinary heritage here create a truly extraordinary food scene. With seemingly endless cheeses and charcuterie, tempting boulangeries, and patisserie windows filled with mouthwatering creations, Toulouse is foodie heaven. And we haven’t even started on the local wine!
The best endorsement? The city’s gastronomy inspired our company’s founder to develop our award-winning Toulouse Walking Tours and Tasting Experiences! From the Victor Hugo Market Tour to Private Wine and Cheese Tasting in Toulouse, it’s our pleasure and privilege to help you connect with our city’s unique “terroir” through immersive sensory experiences. Browse our full range of tours and find the perfect outing for you and your group.
Looking for some pre-trip reading on this tasty topic? We think you’ll love our blogs, A Guide to Cheese and Wine in Toulouse, and Where are the Best Places to Eat in Toulouse?
Toulouse is a Designated UNESCO City of Music
While you may be more familiar with UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, their Creative Cities Network celebrates destinations that have identified creativity as a key part of their sustainable urban development. The Cities of Music initiative is part of the Creative Cities Network — and in 2023, Toulouse earned this prestigious designation thanks to its exceptional musical institutions, festivals, and music education.
Music is as integral to Toulouse’s DNA as the stunning architecture and delectable cuisine. After all, the opera house Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse shares the same space as the Capitole, the city hall. We also boast concert venues hosting widely diverse types of musical performances, as well as a stimulating schedule of internationally-renowned music festivals throughout the year. Learn more about Toulouse as a UNESCO City of Music.
The People of Toulouse are Welcoming and Friendly
Historical and architectural wonders are a joy to explore, but your experience in any destination is shaped by the locals. They’re the people who walk the same streets as you, cook and serve your food and drink, sell you gifts and souvenirs, and keep your accommodation in order.
Here in Toulouse, the locals are warm, hospitable, and friendly. Our city doesn’t welcome a vast amount of leisure tourism, so they’re not tired of the negative experiences sometimes associated with tourists. Even better, if you speak some French, people are patient enough to let you practice if you want to. They will ask you where you’re from and how you like Toulouse. Locals are proud to tell you all about the place they call home, so remember this if you want a conversation starter.
Get your local connections and trip planning started early with our blog Things to Do in Toulouse: Four Locals Tell Us Their Favorite Places.
You Won’t Feel FOMO in Toulouse
A trip to Toulouse isn’t about ticking off a long list of “things to do and see”. Here, we focus on quality over quantity. Life is slower and we make it a priority to spend time with friends and family. We don’t always have to be on the go. So spend an afternoon strolling our streets and stopping at cafés, or pass an evening along the river with a bottle of wine — it’s what we do!
Free from the constraints of FOMO, you can immerse yourself in the essence of our city. We recommend our Slow Travel Guide to Toulouse to find out more about this rewarding approach.
Your Travel Group Will Find No Shortage of Unique Activities in Toulouse!
No matter the size of your group or the ages, interests, and preferences of the people in it, everyone will find something to enjoy in Toulouse.
Beautiful churches and monuments? Check! Delicious food? Check! Lots of museums on different subjects? Check! Easy train access to other cities like Albi and Carcassonne for day trips? Check! Easily walkable city center? Check! Gorgeous parks and nature nearby? Check!
If you want to get under the city’s skin with a local culinary expert, look no further than our mouth-watering Toulouse Walking Tours. Our outings are far from your average city tour on foot; they are sensory experiences that deepen your appreciation for French food, wine, and culture.
Do you have any questions for Taste of Toulouse? Please just get in touch for the information you need.
Want to continue learning about things to see and do in Toulouse? Read our 25 Top Tourist Attractions in Toulouse next.
