Toulouse Hotels

Tantalising Toulouse

Toulouse is colourful in every sense of the word. Grand buildings are witnesses to the wealth Toulouse built on the export of blue pastel; it gets its nickname ‘La Ville Rose’ because of the profusion of red brick; and with 130,000 students, its nightlife is more vivid than an Andy Warhol – although this city took longer than 15 minutes to spring to life.

Toulouse looks best when viewed from a walk along the Canal du Midi and the Garonne River, then along the 16th century bridge Pont-Neuf as it lights up at night. Toulouse feels best when partying at St Pierre Place, or browsing through one of the many squats hosting artistic movements. Look up Mix’Art Myrys, Les Motivées, Tactikollectifand La Grainerieif you really want to impress any culture-hungry tagalong travellers, and expect to find them exhibiting anything from graffiti to circus performances.

TOULOUSE’S TOP 10

TOULOUSE EVENTS

The eclectic Toulouse d’Été Music Festival hits the high notes in July and August with the help of international acts and local performers.

The free Printemps de Septembre sees many international artists flock to Toulouse to talk shop during September.

September and October see the annual Festival Occitània paint the town red, with over 300 artists presenting 50 different cultural events.

Toulouse les Orgues International Festival brings this already-lively city to ecstasy over two weeks in October.

The Spanish film festival Cinémathèque de Toulouse shows the city in a new light each October.

WHEN TO GO

• Spring and autumn are generally warm, but can also be wet and windy – particularly in May.
• Summer is pleasant, but quite humid. Although the average summer temperature is just 20ºC (68ºF), it is not uncommon to see 30ºC (86ºF) days.
• The coldest months are January and February, with temperatures dropping to 4ºC (40ºF).

GETTING AROUND

• Hiring a car isn’t recommended. Parking will drive you insane and, let’s face it, you’ll probably have too many wines with dinner anyway.
• Toulouse has a busand a metroline. They are great for getting in and out of the city centre and are known as Tisseo.
• You can rent a bike from Tisseo ‘Velibe stations’ for just €1 per day.

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