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Categories: Toulouse, Toulouse Area
This episode features our frequent and very popular guest Elyse Rivin. If you enjoy her episodes, please consider supporting her on Patreon.
If I ask what part of France you want to visit besides Paris, you will probably respond Normandy or Provence. But if I ask French people where they’d like to move to in France, Toulouse is always at the top of the list. So what do French people know about Toulouse that most visitors to France don’t? Stay tuned and you will hear about it all in today’s Ultimate Guide to Toulouse!
These are the things that can make any city wonderful to live in: a strong local culture, strong food and wine traditions, good jobs, strong high tech industries, good universities, great sports teams, proximity to both the sea and the ski slopes, and of course mild weather. Toulouse gets the check mark on all of those.
Toulouse is also a lot more affordable than Paris and not as stress-inducing as Paris for everyday life. So yes, French people would love to be able to move to Toulouse and about 10,000 new people do just that every year, it is one of the fastest-growing areas of France.
But what does Toulouse have to offer for visitors? That’s the question we answer with our ultimate guide to Toulouse. Here are a few of the reasons:
Looking to see a lively yet laid-back part of France? Toulouse.
You like great food and wine? Toulouse!
You want to enjoy French culture through museums, art events and leisurely walks through Medieval streets? Toulouse, of course!
Annie and Elyse are supremely qualified to talk about Toulouse, not just because we’re awesome podcasters who love to share the best of everything France has to offer, but also because Annie was born and raised in Toulouse, and Elyse has been living and guiding in Toulouse for 20+ years. We know the place! We know it effortlessly, like locals do.
So, please come along with us on this Ultimate Guide to Toulouse!
Learn More: 10 Best Things to Do in the Toulouse Area
Favorite Hotels in Toulouse
Grand Hôtel de l'Opéra: location can't be beat (Place du Capitole), service is great too!
Ibis Styles Capitole: also on Place du Capitole, plush at a reasonable price.
Hôtel des Grands Balcons: Place du Capitole, lovely hotel at the heart of the city. This is where Aéropostale aviators such as Saint Exupéry and Mermoz used to stay. It is said that one day Mermoz’s wife who was pregnant at the time was feeling ill and fainted in front of the hotel. The hotel management took such good care of her while he was away that he decided that going forward all his aviators would stay at this hotel and they did.
Hôtel Croix Baragnon: In a lovely part of town (near Saint Etienne Cathedral) a simple B&B / small hotel (14 rooms) at a fantastic price. No elevator, no AC.
Hôtel des Arts: right by Place Saint Georges which is a favorite around Toulouse. A small boutique hotel.
La Cour des Consuls: By the Pont Neuf and the Garonne River. The area might be loud at times.
Are you more into a fantastic boutique hotel? Soclo is for you.
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Discussed in this Episode
- Toulouse
- Capitole de Toulouse
- Place du Capitole
- Garonne River
- Canal du Midi
- Canal de Brienne
- Jardin des Plantes
- Place Saint-Georges
- Fondation Bemberg
- Hôtel d’Assézat
- Musée des Augustins
- Musée Saint-Raymond
- Abattoirs Museum
- Cité de l’Espace
- Aeroscopia Museum
- Saint-Sernin Basilica
- Jacobin Monastery
- Place Saint-Georges
- Toulouse squares and fountains
- La Cinémathèque de Toulouse
- Stade Toulousain
- Gaillac wine
- Jurançon wine
- Fronton wine
- Cassoulet
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Tip Your Guides Extras Patreon Audio ToursIf you enjoyed this episode, you should also listen to related episode(s):
- Top Attractions in Toulouse, Episode 31
- Augustins and Abattoirs in Toulouse, Episode 69
- Most Beautiful Places in Toulouse, Episode 72
- Saint Bertrand de Comminges, a Day Trip from Toulouse, Episode 177
- Sorèze and Revel, Great Day Trips from Toulouse, Episode 156
- Tour the South West of France, Episode 147
- Top Attractions in Figeac, Episode 143
- Lourdes, Episode 100
- Cordes-sur-Ciel, Episode 88
- Carla-Bayle in the Ariège, Episode 85
- Mirepoix, Episode 81
- Foix and Niaux in Occitanie, Episode 48
- Parks and Gardens in Toulouse, Episode 76
- Saint-Cirq-Lapopie in the Lot, Episode 43
- The Medieval Walled City of Carcassonne, Episode 23
- Canal du Midi, Episode 22
- Albi and Toulouse-Lautrec, Episode 20
- Cahors in the Lot, Episode 62
- Visiting Southern France in Winter, Episode 148
- Southwest of France with Children Trip Report, Episode 114
- Corbières and Tarn Trip Report, Episode 78
- Looking for Unique Experiences in France, Episode 86
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Show NotesCategories: Toulouse, Toulouse Area