Things to Do in Toulouse in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Toulouse
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Autumn light is spectacular for photography - the low-angle sun creates golden hour conditions from 5pm onwards, and the plane trees along Canal du Midi turn amber and rust. Local photographers call this the magic month.
- Cassoulet season officially begins - restaurants switch from summer menus to hearty southwestern fare, and you'll actually want to eat the rich duck-and-bean dishes that define Toulouse cuisine. Locals pack into traditional bouchons starting mid-October.
- Crowds thin dramatically after French school holidays end in early October - you'll walk into museums without queuing, get tables at top restaurants with same-day bookings, and actually enjoy Place du Capitole without dodging tour groups.
- Grape harvest festivals happen throughout October in nearby wine regions - Gaillac, Fronton, and Saint-Mont vineyards within 40-60 km (25-37 miles) host vendange celebrations with free tastings, cellar tours, and significantly better prices than summer tourist season.
Considerations
- Weather genuinely unpredictable - you might get three days of 22°C (72°F) sunshine followed by two days of 12°C (54°F) drizzle. Locals joke that October is when Toulouse can't decide if it's still summer or properly autumn. Pack layers and accept you'll probably guess wrong at least once.
- Daylight shrinks noticeably - sunset moves from 7:45pm early October to 6:15pm by month's end. If you're planning evening canal walks or outdoor dining, the window gets tight. By late October, that romantic terrace dinner needs to happen by 7pm or you'll be cold.
- Some countryside attractions start closing or reducing hours - smaller châteaux and rural museums switch to weekend-only schedules, and a few vineyards stop tours entirely until spring. Always call ahead if you're planning day trips to places outside the city center.
Best Activities in October
Canal du Midi cycling routes
October is genuinely ideal for the 240 km (149 miles) of towpaths along Canal du Midi - the heat has broken, the plane trees create tunnels of autumn color, and you won't be dodging summer cyclists every 30 seconds. Mornings around 10am-noon offer the best light and temperatures around 15-17°C (59-63°F). The path from Toulouse to Ramonville-Saint-Agne covers 12 km (7.5 miles) and takes about 90 minutes at a relaxed pace. Bike rental shops cluster near Place Saint-Pierre and typically charge 15-25 euros per day for quality touring bikes with baskets.
Covered market food tours
Victor Hugo Market becomes the center of Toulouse life in October when seasonal produce arrives - cèpes mushrooms, Armagnac-soaked prunes, fresh walnuts from nearby Grenoble, and the first winter squashes. The covered hall means weather doesn't matter, and vendors are chattier now that tourist season has ended. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings from 8am-1pm see the best selection. Expect to spend 25-40 euros if you're grazing on oysters, cheese samples, and charcuterie. The smaller Saint-Aubin market on Sundays has fewer tourists and slightly lower prices.
Pyrenees day hiking excursions
October offers the last reliable window for Pyrenees hiking before snow closes high passes - trails around Lac d'Oô, Cirque de Gavarnie, and Pont d'Espagne sit 90-120 km (56-75 miles) south of Toulouse and reach elevations of 1,400-2,200 m (4,593-7,218 ft). Autumn colors peak mid-month, crowds vanish after October 15th, and temperatures at altitude stay comfortable for hiking - typically 8-14°C (46-57°F) at trailheads. You'll need to start early since daylight is limited and afternoon clouds can roll in by 3pm.
Airbus factory tours
The Airbus assembly line tour works perfectly for October's unpredictable weather since you're mostly indoors watching A380s and A350s being built. Tours last 90 minutes, cover about 2 km (1.2 miles) of walking through the massive Clément Ader facility, and actually get more interesting in autumn when production ramps up before year-end deliveries. The scale is genuinely impressive - the A380 assembly hall could fit 10 football pitches. October booking is easier than summer, though you still need to reserve 2-3 weeks ahead for English tours.
Wine region harvest visits
Gaillac vineyards 60 km (37 miles) northeast and Fronton wineries 25 km (16 miles) north host vendange festivals and cellar open houses throughout October. This is when winemakers actually have time to talk - harvest is finishing, new wine is fermenting, and they're celebrating rather than frantically picking grapes. Tastings cost 5-12 euros at most domaines, often waived if you buy bottles. October weather makes the rolling vineyard landscapes particularly photogenic, and you'll taste both the fresh 2026 harvest juice and previous vintages for comparison.
Cité de l'Espace indoor exhibitions
This space museum becomes particularly useful in October when afternoon rain might derail outdoor plans. The full experience takes 4-5 hours covering planetarium shows, the Mir station replica, rocket garden, and interactive exhibits about Mars missions. October typically sees school groups on weekdays but weekends stay manageable. The IMAX theater shows space documentaries that actually justify the 26 euro admission. Located 20 minutes by metro and bus from city center on Line B to Ramonville, then bus 37.
October Events & Festivals
Piano aux Jacobins
This classical piano festival takes over the Gothic Jacobins Church for two weeks of concerts featuring international pianists. The 13th-century acoustics and soaring columns create an atmosphere you won't find in modern concert halls. Tickets run 20-45 euros depending on performer and seat location. The church itself is worth visiting even without a concert - the palm tree vaulting is considered one of southern France's finest Gothic achievements.
Fête des Vendanges wine festivals
Multiple villages throughout Gaillac, Fronton, and surrounding wine regions celebrate harvest completion with street festivals, cellar open houses, and communal meals. Each village picks a weekend in October - Gaillac typically goes first weekend, Fronton second or third. Expect live music, wine tastings at 3-8 euros per flight, local food stalls selling duck confit and cassoulet, and genuine celebrations rather than tourist-focused events. Locals dress up, kids run around, and winemakers pour generously.
Toulouse Game Show
One of France's largest video game and pop culture conventions takes over Parc des Expositions for three days, drawing 40,000-50,000 attendees. Includes game demos, esports tournaments, cosplay competitions, and exhibitor halls. Tickets run 15-20 euros for single day, 35-40 euros for three-day passes. Relevant mainly if you're into gaming culture or traveling with teenagers. The convention center sits 20 minutes from downtown via tram.