Itinerary idea: saints, space and tours in Toulouse

Known as La Ville Rose (the Pink City) for the soft pink hue of its brick buildings, Toulouse offers an exciting mix of culture, gastronomy, aerospace, activities and relaxed evenings. 

Toulouse Tourist Office provides a service to create tailor-made programmes for groups including accommodation, meals, visits and transfers.

Here’s a sample two-day itinerary to provide some inspiration…

Morning

10am: Get your bearings with a guided tour

There’s no better introduction to a city than a private tour with a knowledgeable local guide. The Toulouse Tourist Office’s incoming service offers a wide range of guided tours specially designed for groups that can be crafted to suit your group’s unique interests, expectations and pace. 

Tailor-made tours can cover the city’s rich heritage, key moments throughout its history, behind-the-scenes access to iconic monuments, cultural walks and original themed tours. Popular examples include The Great Monuments of Toulouse and Toulouse in the Renaissance. 

12pm: Basilica of Saint-Sernin

Even if you stop by the Basilica of Saint-Sernin on your guided tour, it’s worth retracing your steps for a longer visit. Step inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe, to admire the 11th-13th century architecture featuring towering vaulted naves and a gilded wood and marble canopy. 

Venture down to the crypts and ambulatory where 100 relics of saints are stored, including a thorn believed to have come from the Crown of Thorns. Visitors can also climb the octagonal bell tower for far-reaching views over the Pink City.  

Lunch

Walk five minutes along Rue de la Chaîne to Aux Pieds Sous la Table, a contemporary kitchen serving modern homecooking alongside cocktails and a popular wine list. Private dining spaces are offered to groups of up to 75 people and they cater to large group events with their set ‘Traditional Menu’. 

For something more traditional, head south to Grand Cafe Le Florida, a historic brasserie offering classic French fare, regional specialties, crepes and ice cream. Food is served all day and they have four private spaces available for large groups. 

Afternoon

2.30pm: Find the right museum for you

Toulouse is steeped in history and culture, so there are plenty of museums to choose from depending on your group’s interests. Muséum de Toulouse is the city’s natural history museum with permanent and temorary exhibitions and botanical gardens. Ancient history lovers should head to Musée Saint-Raymond for antiquities, Roman sculptures and local archaeological discoveries. 

Located a 20-minute drive from the city centre, aeroscopia brings together more than 40 iconic aircraft beneath its 7,000 m² roof, including the Super Guppy, two legendary Concordes – one of which, Concorde No. 1, is listed as a Historic Monument by the French government – and the A300B. 

For groups looking for an alternative to conventional museums, the Halle de la Machine is one of the most unusual attractions in Toulouse. This creative and industrial arts venue is home to enormous mechanical creatures and live performances. It can be combined with a visit to L’Envol des Pionniers, a heritage site dedicated to the pioneering aviators who took off from Toulouse and helped launch the great adventure of aviation, including pilot and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Evening

6pm: Dinner at La Cendrée

Enjoy the 20-minute walk across the Garonne, stopping on Pont Neuf for photos as the evening sun illuminates the Pink City, on your way to La Cendrée. The restaurant is situated in a historic Capitoul’s residence and features a modern dining space warmed by a large 15th century fireplace. 

The popular restaurant serves traditional French cuisine and regional dishes from the southwest, and the attached shop sells a curated collection of soft drinks, French spirits, gourmet treats, condiments and appetisers that could make great souvenirs. Group bookings and private hire are available. 

7pm onwards: Time for a show

Head to the Théâtre du Capitole, a grand venue hosting Toulouse’s finest opera, ballet and classical concerts. Located within the city’s municipal building and town hall, there have been performances held here in various iterations of the theatre since 1736. Groups of ten or more are offered discounted tickets on all shows (unless specified).  

Day Two - Morning

10am: Cite de l’espace

Drive or take the metro out of the centre for around 20 minutes to reach Cité de l’espace, a unique attraction in Europe that invites visitors to explore space science through an engaging combination of participation, experimentation and immersion. The site offers a lively introduction to science and space exploration, with full-size spacecraft and rockets, interactive exhibitions and immersive experiences.

With more than 4,000 m² of exhibition space as well as extensive outdoor areas, it’s recommended to spend a full day here (if not two). The ‘Preference’ package allows groups to work with a member of the team to tailor a day of activities to suit their needs, time-frame and budget. There’s a restaurant, two snack bars and food trucks to stop at for lunch (check opening times when planning your visit) as well as picnic areas. 

Afternoon

3:30pm: Les Abattoirs

Much lovelier than it sounds, Les Abattoirs is a contemporary art museum housed in a former slaughterhouse close to the banks of the Garonne river. The permanent galleries feature a mix of modern artworks, the highlight for many being a large collection by Picasso, and there are frequent visiting exhibitions.  

Quick tours focusing on one or two pieces from current major exhibitions are available in the late afternoon on certain days. After admiring the indoor art collections, head out to the courtyards and adjoining Raymond VI garden to find sculptures by Fernand Léger, Franck Scurti and Franz West. 

Evening

6pm: Canal cruise

Ease into the final evening with a laid back cruise along the Canal du Midi. Samsara offers private use of the barge and can fit groups of up to 80 people across its outdoor deck and reception room. The round-trip Canal Bridge Cruise lasts three hours and includes dinner prepared by the on-board chef. 

Other options include a Toulouse aperitif cruise with Yacht de Toulouse, including two glasses of wine accompanied by a sharing platter, or Bateaux Toulousains which operates cruises on both the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi (private boat hire available).