Bonjour! I went onto Skyscanner and played the cheap flight roulette game! At the top of my list was Toulouse for a £25 return. Why not! It was also in perfect time, as the Christmas Markets were up too – Boom!
The flight was cheap, but the accommodations, activities and sightseeing were a lot more pricer versus the previous European travels I had blogged about. However, it is not about the money; it is about the experience. I visited all the key areas of interest, and I am sharing my favourite parts of Toulouse with you.
Place du Capitole & Christmas Market
Well, of course, the number one spot would be the Place du Capitole and the Christmas Markets! Most city centres are the centre of attraction for bars and restaurants, particularly for French vibes!
I love the warm feeling of the Christmas Spirit. From the cute wooden huts selling unique craft and food, the smell of spiced mulled wine, the bright dazzling Christmas lights, hearty music of French men singing and ‘aligot’ – This stringy cheese mash sensation that I had come across!
An interactive space museum. I am not really into science, but it was on the recommendation list on some of the best things to do in Toulouse. So why not. It turned out to be so much fun. It was great to get physically active and use the brain for once! Also, it is very scenic with airspace models and ships.
My favourite was the ‘feeling on the moon’ gravity experience. Pop into a harness spacesuit and bounce around whilst trying to control your navigation; this was difficult to do. I struggled to get my feet back on the ground, so I was left dangling in the air stuck!
This place is in my top three favourites! I felt this was under-represented in Toulouse. It was pretty tricky to find the entrance. It does not show up on Google as the best places to visit in Toulouse.
The artwork in this city hall is mesmerising – look at it! The more town/city halls I see in Europe, the more I see their uniqueness and the culture that shines through it. This central area was artistically jaw-dropping!
Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse
It is named after the first bishop in Toulouse. I appreciate the architecture of this church in its Romanesque style. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a beautiful cultural visit and a tad creepy inside with all those burials inside.
Tea and cats! Yes, I am a pure animal lover, and I also have a mischievous black cat called Loki. Unfortunately, this place was hectic when we went, so I highly recommend booking reservations ahead of time.
Such a unique experience if you have never been to an animal cafe before. Great place to chill and rest your legs, especially after a lot of walking and sightseeing. I had coffee and enjoyed the purrfect atmosphere.
Toulouse High Street
A spot for shopping, anyone? Not that I am out for the shopping experience, though I did pick up some French sweets! They are famous for those marzipans, sugar jellies and purple violet bonbons too!
High street always has a lot going on, similar to the city centre. I was fortunate to visit the Christmas season to appreciate all the festivities and glimmering Christmas lights that lead the way through the high street.
Always find myself exploring through a bit of nature on every trip! This beautiful tranquil Japanese garden is an excellent alternative for scenery from the historical and cultural buildings Toulouse offers. This garden felt like walking into a different country setting with the bamboo shoots, big bonsai trees, along the Japanese inspired garden decor. It is good to get some steps in (as I would always put it) and a breath of fresh air before heading into the city centre.
Pont Neuf and more…
One for the gram! Not much to say, but for pictures only, this is a pleasant sight and peaceful for couples romantically strolling, let us say. In the same area, you can also spot the Basilica of Our Lady of the Daurade. For some reason, I always thought ‘pont neuf’ meant 9 points, but apparently, it means something along the lines of ‘new bridge’ or maybe the same thing – not entirely sure.
Canal Du Midi
As you can see, I went in the Christmas period = very cold. So, unfortunately, there were no boat trips or water activities available, as it was not the right time in the year; it still was just as beautiful to stroll, stretch the legs and absorb some nature and feed the little ducks.
GOT WANDERLUST 