Toulouse

Toulouse, known as 'La Ville Rose', is the proud capital of the Occitan region of France which has had a distinctly independent culture and language - hence its bilingual street signs. Wandering around the city with its rose-coloured bricks, it does feel markedly different from the yellow limestone which dominates so many parts of France.

While in the architectural mood, why not check out the opulent interiors of the city hall (Le Capitole) and basilica (Basilique Saint-Sernin). The Jacobin convent, which holds the relics of the medieval philosopher St Thomas Aquinas, is also worth a visit. Elegant cloisters surround a pleasant green courtyard and the vaulted brick roof of the church gives the feeling of being under a giant palm tree.

Toulouse is also the centre of the European aerospace industry and you can find out more with a visit to the Cite de l'espace. And when you've had your fill of spaceships, you can stroll past the boats on the Garonne River or Canal du Midi which starts here and wends it way to the Med at Sète. A number of operators offer city cruises, or alternatively you can hire a boat, kayak or SUP (contact the tourist office for more info).

If you don't want to risk getting your feet wet, the city has an impressive number of green spaces and gardens including Jardin des Plantes botannical gardens and the Japanese Garden.

And after all that activity, you'll probably need some Toulousain sustenance. Foodies might want to try the local cassoulet which contains, of course, Toulouse sausage. A local sweet treat for summertime is fénétra gateau, made with an almond base and filled with lemons and apricots.

Highlights

• Check out Le Capitole which houses the town hall and Théâtre du Capitole and sits in the city's main square

• Have a look round the Romanesque Basilique Saint-Sernin with its interesting crypt and reliquaries

• Visit the Jacobins convent

• Extend your knowledge and test your tolerance for space travel at the interactive Cite de l'espace

Station stroll ideas

If you have an hour or two to spare waiting for a train, why not go for a wander?

Tourist info have provided some suggested walks here as well as a set of maps which you can get here showing the mains sites, street art and public transport links.

Guided tours

If you would like to be given a tour, Tourist info have provided a a list of tours which you can find here.

Luggage

If you want to stroll without a care in the world, including your luggage, you could try using the nannybag app to find a place that will take your bags.

Getting there

Direct TGVs take 2 1⁄2 hours from Bordeaux and just over 4 hours from Paris, or you could take a night train (Intercités de Nuit).

It's also 3⁄4 hour from Carcassonne or around 1 1⁄2 to Narbonne.

LaTour-de-Carol is 2 3⁄4 hours away, where you can change trains to go to Barcelona.

Useful links

Tourist info: https://www.toulouse-visit.com/

Where next?

Carcassonne, Narbonne, Lourdes, Barcelona, Bordeaux?