Things to Do in Toulouse in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Toulouse
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring bloom season transforms the city's gardens and canal paths - the Japanese Garden in Compans-Caffarelli Park peaks in early April, and violet fields outside the city are in full flower. You'll catch Toulouse looking its absolute best without the summer tourist crush.
- Perfect temperature window for walking the old town - mornings around 10-12°C (50-54°F) are ideal for exploring Capitole Square and the brick architecture without breaking a sweat, afternoons warm to comfortable 15-17°C (59-63°F). You can actually enjoy multi-hour walking tours without wilting.
- Easter school holidays bring excellent food markets and cultural programming - Marché des Producteurs at Victor Hugo operates at peak capacity with spring vegetables, strawberries from nearby farms, and violet-infused specialties. The city feels alive but not overwhelmed.
- Low-season pricing still applies for most of April - accommodation rates typically run 20-30% below summer peaks until the final week when French school holidays end. Book flights by January for best deals, as spring travel to southern France picks up momentum but hasn't hit full stride yet.
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability is genuinely frustrating - those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly throughout the month, and showers can last anywhere from 15 minutes to half a day. You'll need flexible plans and can't count on perfect conditions for any specific date you've circled on your calendar.
- The famous violet season is actually winding down by mid-April, not beginning - if you're coming specifically for violet tourism, early April is your window. By the third week, most commercial harvesting is done and the violet-themed events have wrapped up.
- Some outdoor attractions operate reduced spring hours - Canal du Midi boat rentals and certain garden sites don't switch to full summer schedules until May 1st. Worth checking specific venue hours rather than assuming everything runs late into evening.
Best Activities in April
Canal du Midi cycling routes
April offers ideal cycling weather along the UNESCO-listed canal - cool mornings prevent overheating on the tree-lined towpaths, and spring foliage creates tunnel-like canopy sections that are genuinely stunning. The 12 km (7.5 miles) stretch from Toulouse to Port Lauragais makes a perfect half-day ride with minimal elevation change. Water levels are typically higher in April from spring runoff, making the locks more dramatic to watch. Afternoon temperatures around 16°C (61°F) mean you can ride in a light jacket rather than full sun protection gear.
Cité de l'Espace aerospace exhibits
This is your perfect rainy day backup that actually deserves full-day status - Toulouse's aerospace museum offers indoor planetarium shows, the full-scale Ariane 5 rocket, and interactive exhibits about the city's aviation industry. April's variable weather makes having a solid indoor option essential, and this one connects directly to what makes Toulouse economically significant beyond tourism. The IMAX theater programming typically changes seasonally, so spring 2026 should have fresh content. Kids and adults who normally resist museums tend to engage here because the scale of the rockets is genuinely impressive.
Toulouse old town walking routes
April weather makes this the ideal month for extended walking through the pink brick historic center - you can comfortably cover the 5 km (3.1 miles) loop from Capitole Square through Saint-Sernin Basilica, Les Jacobins cloister, and along the Garonne riverfront without the July heat that turns afternoon walks into endurance tests. Morning light around 9-11am hits the terracotta brick facades beautifully, creating that signature rosy glow the city is named for. The university quarter around Place Saint-Pierre has spring energy from students, and outdoor café seating is open but not packed. Rain showers mean you'll want routes with arcade coverage - Rue d'Alsace-Lorraine and Rue Saint-Rome offer shopping arcades for ducking inside.
Basilique Saint-Sernin and Romanesque church circuit
April offers comfortable temperatures for church interiors that can feel cold in winter and stuffy in summer - the massive Romanesque basilica maintains steady 14-15°C (57-59°F) inside, pleasant with a light sweater. Saint-Sernin's crypt and upper galleries require climbing narrow medieval stairs, easier when you're not overheated. The church circuit extending to Les Jacobins and Notre-Dame de la Daurade makes sense in April because you can walk between sites without weather being a factor. Easter season means churches have special floral arrangements and occasional organ concerts worth timing your visit around. The brick vaulting in these buildings shows Toulouse's architectural signature better than anywhere else in the city.
Marché Victor Hugo food market exploration
April brings peak spring produce to Toulouse's premier covered market - white asparagus, strawberries from nearby Dordogne farms, and violet-infused products while the season lasts. The upstairs restaurant level offers freshly shucked oysters and regional wines, perfect for a long lunch when rain interrupts outdoor plans. Market operates Tuesday through Sunday mornings until 1pm, with Friday and Saturday being most vibrant. The covered structure means weather doesn't matter, but April's cool temperatures make the upstairs dining area more comfortable than summer's stuffiness. This is where Toulouse locals actually shop, not a tourist recreation, so you'll see real food culture rather than performed authenticity.
Airbus factory tour at Blagnac
Toulouse's aerospace industry offers behind-scenes access to A380 assembly that most cities can't match - this is genuinely unique content rather than generic tourism. April timing works well because factory tour schedules run consistently before summer crush, and you'll want indoor activities in your rotation given the weather variability. The 90-minute guided tour covers assembly hangars where you'll see aircraft in various build stages, though photography is restricted for industrial security. The scale of the operation makes clear why Toulouse calls itself the aerospace capital of Europe. Tours run in French and English with advance booking required.
April Events & Festivals
Easter Markets and Festivities
Easter timing varies yearly but typically falls mid-to-late April - expect chocolate markets around Capitole Square, special church services with organ concerts at Saint-Sernin, and extended hours at major food markets. The Victor Hugo market brings in specialty chocolate vendors and spring lamb from Pyrenees farms. This is a French cultural holiday rather than tourist-oriented programming, which means genuine local atmosphere but also means some shops close Easter Sunday and Monday.
Violet Festival conclusion
Early April catches the tail end of violet season celebrations - the Toulouse violet is a protected regional product, and early month still offers violet-themed pastries, crystallized violets, and violet liqueur at specialty shops. The main festival events wrap up by mid-April as the growing season ends. Look for violet products at Victor Hugo market and established confectioners like Maison de la Violette near the Bazacle bridge. This is more about agricultural timing than organized festival programming by the time April arrives.