Things to Do in Toulouse in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Toulouse
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Mild autumn weather perfect for walking Toulouse's compact center - you can cover 5 km (3.1 miles) from Capitole to Canal du Midi without overheating, something that's genuinely uncomfortable in summer when temperatures hit 35°C (95°F)
- Significantly fewer tourists than summer months mean you'll actually get decent photos at Place du Capitole without dodging selfie sticks, and restaurants don't require reservations weeks in advance - typically 2-3 days ahead works fine in November
- Cassoulet season is in full swing - this is when locals actually eat the famous white bean stew, not in August when it's too hot. Restaurants bring out their best versions and you'll find it on every traditional menu for €18-25
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to peak summer pricing - expect to pay €80-120 for solid three-star properties in Carmes or Saint-Cyprien neighborhoods that would cost €140-180 in July
Considerations
- Daylight is limited - sunset around 5:30pm means outdoor activities need morning or early afternoon scheduling. The pink light Toulouse is famous for only lasts about 20 minutes at sunset, and you'll miss it if you're eating dinner
- Rain is unpredictable and can last several hours, not just brief showers - when it settles in, it genuinely affects plans. About 10 days will see precipitation, and November tends toward gray drizzle rather than dramatic storms you can wait out
- Many Toulousains take November vacations during Toussaint school break (early November), so some favorite local spots might be closed the first week, particularly smaller family-run restaurants in residential neighborhoods
Best Activities in November
Cité de l'Espace Space Museum Visits
November's cooler weather makes this primarily outdoor park much more comfortable than summer visits. The 2.5 hectare (6.2 acre) grounds include full-scale rocket replicas and outdoor exhibits that are genuinely unpleasant in July heat but perfect in 13°C (56°F) temperatures. The indoor planetarium shows are ideal backup plans for rainy afternoons. This is shoulder season here, so you'll avoid the summer school groups that pack the interactive exhibits. Worth noting that Toulouse is Europe's aerospace capital - Airbus headquarters are here - so this isn't just tourist content, it's the real deal.
Canal du Midi Cycling Routes
The UNESCO-listed canal is actually more beautiful in November than summer - the plane trees turn golden and you'll have long stretches entirely to yourself. The 12 km (7.5 miles) path from Port Saint-Sauveur to Ramonville is flat, paved, and protected from wind. Morning rides work best before potential afternoon rain, and the cooler temperatures mean you won't arrive everywhere sweaty. Locals use this as their commuting route year-round, so you'll see actual Toulouse life rather than tour groups.
Covered Market Food Tours
November brings seasonal produce to Toulouse's covered markets - cèpes mushrooms, truffles, duck products, and autumn vegetables. Marché Victor Hugo is the main event, open Tuesday-Sunday mornings until 1pm. The upstairs restaurant section serves market-fresh meals for €12-18. This is indoor activity, perfect for rainy mornings, and you'll see how locals actually shop. The market culture here is strong - people have their regular vendors and the quality is legitimately better than supermarkets.
Basilica Saint-Sernin and Romanesque Architecture Walks
Toulouse's brick Romanesque churches are indoor activities perfect for November's variable weather. Saint-Sernin is Europe's largest remaining Romanesque basilica and genuinely impressive - not just tourist hype. The brick construction gives that pink color Toulouse is known for, especially beautiful in November's softer light. The surrounding Saint-Sernin neighborhood has antique shops and quiet cafes where you can warm up. November means you can actually appreciate these spaces without summer crowds blocking the architectural details.
Musée des Augustins Medieval Art Collection
This former monastery turned museum is a perfect rainy day option, and November sees plenty of those. The Romanesque sculpture collection is world-class, and the Gothic cloister garden is atmospheric even in gray weather. The museum is small enough to see properly in 2 hours without exhaustion. Locals use this as a quiet retreat spot - you'll see people sketching in the galleries. The building itself is as interesting as the collection, with original 14th-century architecture throughout.
Airbus Factory Tour Experiences
Toulouse assembles the A380 and A350 aircraft here, and factory tours show the actual production lines - not just a museum. November's cooler weather makes the massive unheated hangars more bearable than summer visits. This is genuinely unique to Toulouse and impossible to replicate elsewhere. Tours run in French and English. The scale of these aircraft up close is remarkable, and you'll understand why aerospace defines this city's economy and identity.
November Events & Festivals
Toussaint School Holiday Period
Early November sees French school holidays, which affects Toulouse differently than tourist cities - many locals leave town, so some neighborhood restaurants and shops close for the week. However, this also means museums and major attractions are quieter after the first week of November. Not an event to attend, but important for planning - avoid the first 5 days of November if you want the full local restaurant scene available.
Piano aux Jacobins Festival
This classical piano festival has run in September historically, but occasionally extends programming into early November. Concerts take place in the Gothic Jacobins church, which has remarkable acoustics. If you're lucky enough to catch performances, tickets run €25-45. Check the official festival schedule closer to your dates - programming varies year to year and isn't guaranteed for November.