Toulouse (La Ville Rose)

Fatma Kahveci
Travel
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toulouse

1. Top sights

1.1 Basilique Saint-Sernin (Basilica of Saint Sernin)

  • It is the largest remaining Romanesque building in Europe.
  • It is located on the site of a previous basilica of the 4th century.
  • It is constructed between about 1080 and 1120.
  • In 1998, UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site .

1.2 Capitole Market

  • It is held every Wednesday in the Capitole.

1.3 Place du Capitole (Capitol Square)

  • It is a square with a big pink brick building built in 1189 and completed with a neo-classical facade in 1760.

1.4 Le Capitole (Capitole de Toulouse)

  • Le Capitole is home to city hall, the Theatre du Capitole de Toulouse opera company and the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.

1.5 Theatre du Capitole (Capitol Theatre)

  • The first performance space in the building was created in 1736 by Guillaume Cammas .

1.6 Square Charles de Gaulle (Charles-de-Gaulle Square)

  • It is located in back of the Le Capitole.

1.7 Rue d’Alsace Lorraine (Alsace-Lorraine Street)

  • It’s an avenue of dark stone, shrubs, street lights, and a huge sidewalk for pedestrians.

1.8 Le couvent des Jacobins (Church of the Jacobins)

  • It is in the center of town.

1.9 Pont Saint-Pierre (Bridge Saint-Pierre)

  • It crosses the Garonne River and connects Place Saint-Pierre and the hospital of La Grave.

1.10 Quai de la Daurade (La daurade Quay)

  • It is a pleasent walkway along the Garonne river bank embankment.
  • Recommended sightseeing time is 1-2 hours.

1.11 Pont Neuf (New Bridge) (Grand Pont)

  • It is a 16th-century asymmetrical bridge.
  • It is the oldest bridge in Toulouse which links Gascogne to the Languedoc.
  • It strectches across the Garonne River.

1.12 Église Saint-Aubin de Toulouse (Saint Aubin Church)

  • It is one of the most atypical churches, with its massive appearance, combined with Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine influences that stands out in the ecclesial landscape.

1.13 Gare de Toulouse Matabiau (Main Railway Station)

  • The trains run to most parts of France.

1.14 Jardin Japonais (Japanese Garden)

  • Jardin Japonais was created in 1981.
  • It offers botanical varieties from the Far East.

1.15 Canal Du Midi

  • The canal is considered one of the greatest construction works of the 17th century.
  • Canal du Midi refers to the portion initially constructed from Toulouse to the Mediterranean.
  • In 1996, UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site for its outstanding engineering and artistic design.

2. What and Where to eat

2.1 Marché Victor Hugo (Victor Hugo Market)

  • Marché Victor Hugo is a 100-year-old covered market.
  • Here you’ll find the best-quality local products. Fish, delicatessen, fruit and vegetables, bakery, and pastry are located in the market.

2.2 Pâtisserie Conté - Le Fénétra (Fenetra Cake)

  • A tasty traditional Toulousian cake containing almond meringue, apricot jam and candied lemon.
  • The dessert has been a part of the city’s heritage dating back to Roman antiquity.
  • Specialties of Conté: Chocolate Pie, Raspberry Pie, Blueberry Pie, Lemon Meringue Pie, Pear-Chocolate, Tart Apple Pie, Apple Pie, Chocolate Pie, Capitol, Raspberry Tart, Pecan Praline, Citrus Crispy, Chocolate, Black Forest, Carrack, Strawberry Tart, Well of Love, Crunchy Hazelnut and Dacquoise

2.3 Criollo Chocolatier - Chocolate

2.4 Antoine Fornara Patisserie - Viennoiseries and Chocolate

2.5 La Maison de la Violette - Violettes de Toulouse

  • One of the city’s most recognizable symbols, violets have been cultivated in Toulouse since the mid-19th century.
  • Legend has it that it was a soldier in Napoleon III’s army who first introduced violets to Toulouse; he had collected them as a gift for his lover while stationed in Italy.

2.6 Maison Pillon - Brique du Capitole (Brick-shaped bonbons)

  • The history of Brique du Capitole started in 1951 when the Nougalet chocolate and confectionery factory created lovely praline brick-shaped candies.

2.7 Boulangerie Cyprien - Viennoiseries

  • Croustade aux pommes (Crispy apple pie)
  • Specialties of Cyprien: Bread, Bread roll, Flatbreads, Bagels, Pastries, Buns, Cakes, Pies, Tarts and Croissants

2.8 Au Poussin Bleu - Viennoiseries

  • Specialities of Au Poussin Bleu: Fruites, Macrons, Cupcakes, Classiques, Chocolates, Fruit Pastes, Bread, Bread Roll, Flatbreads, Bagels, Pastries, Buns, Pies, Tarts and Croissants

2.9 Xavier - Cabécou

  • A soft creamy goat cheese

2.10 Croquants

  • This savoury dessert consists of crisp biscuits made from almonds and caramelised sugar.
  • It is the perfect way to finish off a traditional Toulouse meal.