48 Hours in Toulouse

Located in the south-west region of France, Toulouse is exactly half way between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and is filled with churches to explore, a winning rugby team and the heart of the European aerospace industry.

Things to See and Do

As you land at Toulouse airport, one of the first things you notice is all the planes. “Pfft come on, EVERY airport has loads of planes” you might be thinking. But Toulouse airport is unique; because it’s here that Airbus assemble aircraft for every major airline in the world.

Apart from airports like Heathrow, you won’t see such a diverse range of airlines and commercial aircraft on show anywhere else in the world. The strangest plane you’ll see dotted around the airfield is the massive Beluga – named so because it looks like a giant Beluga whale. This huge aircraft is used by Airbus to transport the massive pieces of fuselage for each plane around their various facilities in Europe for assembly, painting and fitting.

Airbus factory

Airbus also offers a tour called “A380 Visit” which allows visitors to get a glimpse into the construction, assembly and delivery process of the Airbus A380 passenger airliner – the largest in the world. After an introduction video, you’re whisked away to the massive hangar – the size of many football fields – where all the A380s currently being prepared for customers are assembled. Seeing “where the magic happens” and where these massive machines are brought to life, is an experience in itself and something that is unique to holidays in Toulouse.

Central Toulouse

In the centre of Toulouse you’ll find the bustling central square surrounding the Capitole, the governing heart of the city. The Place du Capitole is made up of interesting boutiques, busy cafes and bars to give you a typical French introduction to the city. In the central square you’ll find street performers, markets and art installations. The nature of the mixed-use space means you might come across anything from a rock concert to a dance exhibition.

A bite to eat

We’re in France remember, so when it comes to street food, we’re headed straight to the crepe vendors. Late into the night, dedicated crepe-masters man their hotplates making delicious crepes for tourists and locals alike. The staple favourite is the Nutella filled crepe, but you can also get many other spreads to soothe your sweet-tooth.

For a more complete meal, the Marche Victor Hugo area is where you want to make a beeline. Above the markets, buzzing with fish and cheese vendors, are many restaurants specialising in local fare that Toulouse is well known for. Toulouse style sausages are a well-known staple on the tables of British restaurants, and enjoying a few while you’re in the town where they originate from is well worth the effort.

Toulouse Quirks

Toulouse is in the middle of the old Occitan region of France, meaning things aren’t quite typically French here. Street signs are in both the French and Occitan languages, and there is a strong representation of citizens in the city fighting to keep the language and the traditions alive.

Canal of the Two Seas

The Canal du Midi is a picturesque tree-lined waterway that runs through the suburbs of Toulouse, is 150 miles long and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It runs all the way from the Garonne River in Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea. Coupled with the Canal de Garonne, they form the Canal des Deux Mers (Canal of the Two Seas) that joins the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean, forming what used to be a critical transport route in the 19th century.
Renting a bike from a Velibe station for €1 a day and riding along the banks of the canal is the perfect way to appreciate this French innovation.

A spot of Rugga

If you’re a rugby union fan, chances are you’re familiar with Toulouse’s dominant side, Stade Toulousain. They’re a formidable Heineken Cup opponent, and if you’re in town on the right day you might just get a chance to see them play at their home ground of Stade Ernest-Wallon and experience the roar of a fervently passionate bunch of fans cheer on their home team.

Toulouse is easily accessible from London Gatwick with an easyJet flight and makes for a fantastic Southern France city break packed with culinary treasures, cultural sights and a relaxed small town vibe.

About the Author
Justin Morris is an Australian living the dream in London. With only weekends available to travel, he explores European cities on a regularly basis between working as an IT consultant during the week and blogs about it at 48 Hour Adventure. You can also catch him on Facebook and Twitter for all the updates on his travels.