Toulouse, France

2nd Edition - Updated April, 2024

An attractive city with a unique mix of old and new. Toulouse has a long history, dating to the Roman era. This history, combined with the area's active involvement in the air and space industries, provides a variety of sights and experiences. Toulouse is located in southwest France and has an inviting climate much of the year. Flowing through the city are the prominent waterways of the Garonne River and the noted Canal du Midi. These waterways provide relaxed walking and bike explorations.

This Starting-Point Guide covers Toulouse and much of the Haute-Garonne area, the district in which Toulouse is the capital. In Toulouse, you will find an intriguing historical center with its many shops, plazas, restaurants, and markets. Bordering the city are large facilities devoted to air and space such as a visit to the Air Bus factory.

Separate chapters are provided on day trips to the popular towns and fortifications of Albi and Carcassonne along with guidance on how to get the most out of a visit to these destinations.

A guide for travelers who wish to use one city such as Toulouse as their base camp to travel the area and not move from town to town as they travel through Europe. To help with your trip planning, this guidebook includes numerous graphs, maps, and photographs. Guidance on how to get around town and an orientation to the most popular sites is included.

This is not a complete guide to all of south-central France or all of the Occitanie region. Such a guide would go beyond the suggested scope of staying in one town and having enjoyable day trips from there.