Things to Do in Toulouse

About Toulouse

Toulouse built the Concorde and still sells violets at morning markets. The city that is rose-colored from its terracotta brick works on space missions while philosophy students debate over coffee next to aerospace engineers. No contradictions here—just a place that makes sense of old and new. The Garonne River cuts through the center. Roman foundations support medieval churches that support modern research labs, and nobody finds this strange. Cobblestone streets wind past cafés where the Occitan language still surfaces in conversations. Time moves differently here. Market vendors arrange flowers with the care Gothic architects once used on cathedrals, and that pace feels right. The city doesn't perform for tourists. Toulouse is proud but not cold. It feels familiar within days yet keeps revealing new corners, new routines, new reasons to stay longer than you planned.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Purchase a Tisseo day pass (€5.70) for unlimited metro, tram, and bus access. The efficient tramway connects major attractions, while the Vélo Toulouse bike-share system offers 24-hour passes for €1.70. Download the Tisseo app for real-time schedules and route planning.

Money: Euros accepted everywhere; contactless payments widely used. Tipping isn't mandatory but 5-10% is appreciated for good restaurant service. Many smaller establishments still prefer cash, so withdraw from ubiquitous ATMs which typically charge €2-4 per transaction.

Cultural Respect: Greet shopkeepers with 'Bonjour' upon entering and 'Au revoir' when leaving—it's considered rude not to. Dress neatly when dining out; shorts and flip-flops are frowned upon at dinner. Learn basic French phrases; locals appreciate the effort despite their excellent English.

Food Safety: Tap water is excellent and safe to drink. Markets close for lunch 12-2pm; shop early for best selection. Try regional specialties like cassoulet and Toulouse sausage at traditional bouchons. Restaurants serve dinner after 7:30pm—arriving earlier marks you as a tourist.

When to Visit

Spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October) offer Toulouse at its finest, with temperatures ranging 15-22°C and minimal rainfall (40-60mm monthly). These shoulder seasons provide 20-30% lower accommodation costs than peak summer while delivering perfect weather for strolling along the Garonne or exploring the historic center. Summer (June-August) brings warmth (20-28°C) and the lively Été Toulousain festival in July, but expect 40-50% higher prices and occasional thunderstorms (70mm rainfall in August). The River Festival in June transforms the Garonne banks into a massive outdoor celebration. Winter (December-February) sees temperatures drop to 8-14°C with frequent light rain (50-80mm monthly), but accommodation costs plummet by 30-40%. The magical Marché de Noël Christmas market runs December 1-24, while Violette season (February-March) celebrates the city's iconic flower. Cultural ensoiasts should target October for the Cinespaña film festival or February for the Piano aux Jacobins classical music series. Business travelers find excellent deals November-March, avoiding summer conference season. Each season reveals different facets of this multifaceted city.