The ultimate Toulouse bucket list, France
This Toulouse Bucket list is a fun way to explore the French city, preparing yourself for your Toulouse trip and checking off the things you have already seen!
Toulouse has a vast amount of things to do and see. Depending on the time you have to visit, you need to pick the most enjoyable things based on your interest. In September I will be visiting Toulouse. After my trip I will let you know if I found any more interesting must see’s and do’s. Can you tick them all off? Make sure to save this list for your trip to Toulouse!
Photo by Arthur Chauvineau 
Photo by Mathieu Augier
Toulouse
Known as ‘Pink City’ or ‘Space Capital’ of France, Toulouse is made of buildings tinted in pink and earthy tones. Lodged in the banks of the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi, it’s France’s fourth-largest city and one that still goes unnoticed in Southwestern France. The balmy climate and friendly locals give Toulouse an inviting ambiance. To me it’s a pleasant city with a laid-back vibe.
Toulouse Bucket List – Attractions to see and visit
You’ll be amazed at what there is to see and visit in Toulouse: countless churches, museums, and gardens. Toulouse is just an incredible city. I have listed what I think are the top attractions to see if you are short on time. These are all perfect to do within a 2 or 3 days visit.
– Visit the UNESCO-listed Basilique Saint-Sernin, one of the most important and magnificent churches on the “Chemin Saint Jacques” medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela
– Relax at the quiet city oasis of Couvent des Jacobins (Dominican monastery) and enjoy the wonderful views of the southern-French Gothic architecture
– Explore the magnificent square ‘Place du Capitole’ (Capitole de Toulouse), one of the key emblems of Toulouse (come one Wednesdays for the lively market) and don’t forget to watch the modern paintings adorning the ceiling of the arcade directly across the square from the town hall building
– Watch opera or ballet at Theatre du Capitole, a magnificent opera house located in the administration building of city hall
– Geek out over the scale replicas of actual spacecraft outside at the Cité de l’Espace, a theme park all about space exploration
– Look down at koi carp, turtles and frogs in Jardin Japonais, a Japanese Garden with a bright red cartwheel bridge, stone garden and tea pavilion
– Walk or ride on the towpath next to the waters of Canal du Midi, a 240-kilometer-long UNESCO waterway
– Take a boat tour on the river Garonne as it passes by some of Toulouse’s most photogenic monuments, including the L’Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques, Pont Neuf, Port de l’Embouchure and the Hôpital de La Grave
– Photograph the Pont Neuf Bridge in Toulouse at night. It’s the city’s oldest bridge and especially worth a visit during the night
– Explore the Jardin Royal and the Jardin des Plantes in the beautifully planted historic park Grand Rond
– Watch a rugby game at Stade Toulousain
– Admire a masterpiece of Baroque art in the 17th-century Chapelle des Carmélites
Museums in Toulouse – Can you tick them all off?
Toulouse is Europe’s aeronautical capital, with the largest space center in Europe and a theme park all about space exploration. The city will hook curious minds with its riveting museums that explore the cosmos, prehistory, ancient art, the natural world, and much more! Here are my favorites:
– Visit Muséum de Toulouse, not a museum about Toulouse, but France’s largest ethnological and natural history institution outside Paris (presents more than 2.5 million exhibits)
– Explore Roman art at the Musée Saint-Raymond (Musée d’Archéologie de Toulouse), Toulouse’s archaeological museum
– Go to the Musée des Augustins (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Toulouse) which covers art and sculpture from the medieval period up to the early-20th century. This museum is a must-see cultural attraction for art lovers
– Visit Les Abattoirs, a sprawling modern-art museum With a collection of more than 4,000 works housed in what used to be the city’s abattoirs
– See Musée Georges Labit, a house with art and artefacts from ancient cultures
– Enjoy the collection of Georges Bemberg at the Hôtel d’Assézat (Foundation Bemberg), a 16th-century palace. This building is known as the most beautiful Renaissance mansion house in Toulouse
Photo by Clément Amat 
Photo by Marie Ginette Amirault 
Photo by Joanes Andueza
Food Bucket List Toulouse
If you are a bit of a foodie, Toulouse is the place to be. Make sure to sample the hearty specialties, like cassoulet (meat and bean stew) and duck pâté. Also save room for dessert and traditional sweets like Gâteau du Fénétra and crystallized violet candies.
– Try Cassoulet (meat and bean stew), a delicious casserole, including duck, goose, and pork products like Toulouse sausages and skin. It’s cooked down in a terracotta dish with haricot beans accompanied by red wine.
– Eat some duck pate
– Enjoy a traditional dessert like Gâteau du Fénétra, a tart made with apricots, candied lemons, and almond meringue
– Visit Xavier and buy the best cheese from Toulouse
– Make a dinner reservation at the small and lively wine and tapas bar N°5 Wine Bar, recently awarded the Best Wine Bar in the World 2017 and Best Wine Bar in Europe 2016 by World of Fine Wine
– Have a drink and listen to jazz at the floating La Guinguette in summer
– Head to Le Bibent on Place du Capitol and enjoy a quick meal
– Taste the candied violettes or try violet tea with a bit of violet honey or violet syrup
Photo by Michael Descharles 
Photo by Sara Dubler
As you can see, the city of Toulouse has a vast list of things to see and do. Do you know any other fun Toulouse things to see or do that I should include in this list? Let me know!
Author: Daphne
This article is part of the GPSmyCity iOS app. You can download it, read this article offline and obtain travel directions (by foot, car or bicycle) to the places mentioned in this article. Click here to download it.
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