Toulouse, Haute Garonne, France
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Toulouse is the fourth biggest city in France (After Paris, Lyon, Marseille), it has a population of over 750 000 people. It is situated in the Haute Garonne department in the Midi Pyrenees region. It is in the South West, about 150 kms from the Spanish border (Skiing) and the Mediteranean is just over an hour away.
Toulouse has a rich and bloody history. As other entries show, it was a centre of the Cathar faith and many of its residents were slaughtered in Catholic Witch Hunts. While the West of France was under British rule and the North under French, the Counts of Toulouse had their own territory. This featured much of the Languedoc region (East towards Provence) and the Catalan region (Towards Perpignan and Barcelona). The City was annexed to France in the 14th Century.
Toulouse found wealth in "Violettes", a type of purple dye which became very fashionable with the ruling European classes in the 17th and 18th Centuries. The land owners of the city built themselves "Hotels" which today act as grand town houses. Due to a shortage of stone, the modern city was built in red brick, giving it the name "La Ville Rose", this makes Toulouse a very beautiful and Southern looking city.
Modern Toulouse is a busy city. It is home to over 100 000 students, making it the second University town of France. The presence of students also gives Toulouse a bustling nightlife with numerous famed nightspots (Bodega Bodega and Bar Basque take your bow). The river Garonne flows dreamily throught the city and makes a wonderful place to relax on long summer evenings. The city centre is a maze of aancient streets all focusing on the Magnificent "Place du Capitole", the city hall and former Parliament of the Counts.
Toulouse is now the European centre for the Space and Aeronautics industries. Airbus' headquarters are by the Airport and thus there are many permanent foreign residents of the city (British predominating, with many exiled Spaniards too). Toulouse also houses Meteo France, British Aerospace and many other international companies.
As with most french cities, eating out is a joy in Toulouse with Chinese, Maghreb, Spanish, Italian, Irish and French restaurants in abundence. A favoured eating spot is the Sherpa Tea house on 'Rue du Taur' off place Capitole, which serves amazing savoury Crepes and huge bowls of Coffee. Also search out a Pizza restaurant at the far end of 'Rue Gabriel Peri' towards the Station.
Toulouse has terrible traffic problems eminating from the French inability to drive. The use of flashing orange lights to symbolise "Go if you wish to endanger: Your own; Your passenger's; Pedestrian's or Other driver's lives" certainly makes driving an interesting experience. A fun game to play is 'Spot the undented car' which is nigh on impossible on all but the newest Citroen Picassos and Scenic RX4's.
Toulouse is a much undervisited city, so enjoy it before it is spoilt by Americans. Visit St Sernin Basilica, Musee des Augustins, Capitole, Cite de l'espace and wander the streets...
Toulouse has a rich and bloody history. As other entries show, it was a centre of the Cathar faith and many of its residents were slaughtered in Catholic Witch Hunts. While the West of France was under British rule and the North under French, the Counts of Toulouse had their own territory. This featured much of the Languedoc region (East towards Provence) and the Catalan region (Towards Perpignan and Barcelona). The City was annexed to France in the 14th Century.
Toulouse found wealth in "Violettes", a type of purple dye which became very fashionable with the ruling European classes in the 17th and 18th Centuries. The land owners of the city built themselves "Hotels" which today act as grand town houses. Due to a shortage of stone, the modern city was built in red brick, giving it the name "La Ville Rose", this makes Toulouse a very beautiful and Southern looking city.
Modern Toulouse is a busy city. It is home to over 100 000 students, making it the second University town of France. The presence of students also gives Toulouse a bustling nightlife with numerous famed nightspots (Bodega Bodega and Bar Basque take your bow). The river Garonne flows dreamily throught the city and makes a wonderful place to relax on long summer evenings. The city centre is a maze of aancient streets all focusing on the Magnificent "Place du Capitole", the city hall and former Parliament of the Counts.
Toulouse is now the European centre for the Space and Aeronautics industries. Airbus' headquarters are by the Airport and thus there are many permanent foreign residents of the city (British predominating, with many exiled Spaniards too). Toulouse also houses Meteo France, British Aerospace and many other international companies.
As with most french cities, eating out is a joy in Toulouse with Chinese, Maghreb, Spanish, Italian, Irish and French restaurants in abundence. A favoured eating spot is the Sherpa Tea house on 'Rue du Taur' off place Capitole, which serves amazing savoury Crepes and huge bowls of Coffee. Also search out a Pizza restaurant at the far end of 'Rue Gabriel Peri' towards the Station.
Toulouse has terrible traffic problems eminating from the French inability to drive. The use of flashing orange lights to symbolise "Go if you wish to endanger: Your own; Your passenger's; Pedestrian's or Other driver's lives" certainly makes driving an interesting experience. A fun game to play is 'Spot the undented car' which is nigh on impossible on all but the newest Citroen Picassos and Scenic RX4's.
Toulouse is a much undervisited city, so enjoy it before it is spoilt by Americans. Visit St Sernin Basilica, Musee des Augustins, Capitole, Cite de l'espace and wander the streets...
