Southern France Charm Infuses Toulouse
LA VILLE ROSE (THE PINK CITY) GAVE ME EXACTLY WHAT I HOPED FOR FROM SOUTHERN FRANCE
When I picture the south of France, I think of idyllic, quaint, smaller towns. While Toulouse is actually the fourth largest city in France, it delivers on all three - often surprisingly feeling like a small town as you wander its streets. Known for it’s pink-shaded terractota brick buildings, Toulouse is known as La Ville Rose (The Pink City) in France. It’s home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and is one of the densest student centers in France (with 140,000 for a metro housing about half a million); the result is parts of the city can feel a bit hipster like many college towns and university centers.
I was thoroughly charmed. It helped that my hostel (Le Petite Auberge) felt thoroughly French, and I felt like I got to live a bit like a local in my pink building with a patio overlooking other pink buildings. It’s not a particularly touristy city, which in my mind makes it an underrated destination, and one I would definitely recommend.
WANDER THROUGH THE PINK STREETS OF THE OLD CITY
At times bustling with shops, and at times quiet with just a few cafes, the old city center delivers the southern France experience you might expect in an animated movie. If you center yourself in the Place du Capitole (which often has a large flea market), you can go in any direction and get a different vibe from the historical center.
EXPLORE TOULOUSE’S MANY GREEN SPACES
From its Japanese style darden to the riverfront walk, the city is bursting with small, well-designed green spaces that feel appropriately removed from the city bustle. I found myself particularly peaceful when walking along Canal du Midi (a 240 km canal that is a UNESCO site for its historical significance). It’s a great city to grab a pastry, fruit, or some wine from the center and spend the day in one of the stunning public spaces.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
I only had a couple of days in Toulouse because of a scheduling error on my part, and I would’ve liked to have had one more. The city isn’t bursting in major sites, but it’s so charming and liveable that I would’ve enjoyed spending more time lazing about the city. Here are some of the other things to do:
Shop at Marche Cristal: An outdoor produce market located in the heart of the city, you can grab some amazing seasonal fruit here to eat at one of the parks. When I was shopping, there was even a cheese truck, for those of you that eat it.
Visit Basilique Saint-Sernin: The largest remaining Romanesque building in Europe, this basilica is a UNESCO site. To be honest, I had prepared myself to be underwhelmed, but something about its age and grandeur for the period sparked something within me, and I found myself compelled to prayer when inside. There’s something special about the interior that I can’t describe. Plus - it’s free for entry.
The other most common points I mentioned earlier: Place du Capitole, Canale du Midi, and the Japanese Garden.
