I've heard the wine isn't bad...

April 17, 2008 4:42 PM

I'm spending a week in Toulouse, France next month. I'll be on business, so busy during the day, but I expect my evenings will be free. Anything I should be sure to do/see/eat? In addition to Toulouse, are there any nearby places within a few hours drive that I should visit?
posted by jpdoane to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Awwww dude, Cite de l'espace is just awesome! Can't recommend it enough, though you might not be able to make it if your daytime isn't free. If you go, please Mefi mail me and tell me what you thought of it :)

You can't really go wrong with places to eat, the city is drenched in really good restaurants. If you're looking for some drinking fun, check out De Danu. It's owned by an ex-Irish rugby player called Trevor Brennan and attracts a good crowd.

You could also do worse than checking out a Toulouse rugby game, if you have the time.

* wistfully remembering last summer's holiday *
posted by ReiToei at 4:51 PM on April 17

If your tastes don't run toward street art and fashion, you might give it a skip, but if I was in Toulouse I wouldn't miss Rice and Beans gallery&shop.
posted by Juliet Banana at 4:53 PM on April 17

Place du Capitole, the heart of Toulouse, is very worth visiting. Seconding can't go wrong with restaurants - the bad ones don't survive long - but on the Place, I really like Le Florida.

You could go to Castelnaudary and have what the locals believe is the only correct cassoulet; you could go to Carcassonne and look at the fortified city (check with http://www.carcassonne.culture.fr/ for visiting times).
posted by jet_silver at 5:04 PM on April 17

Yeah, you're really in cassoulet country in Toulouse. It's superb, but don't eat too much of it! There are also some great local special specialities such as foie gras and sweetbreads (unless you're a card carrying member of PETA).
posted by ReiToei at 5:14 PM on April 17

Walk.
Toulouse is a very old town, full of treasures and surprises.
There was no quarry around, so the town is built with bricks (even XVIth century cathedrals). Thats why it's called La ville rose, "The Pink City".
Between La Garonne (the river) and the Boulevards, it's a pleasure to walk the streets of old Toulouse.
Small streets are meandering as in a maze (I was told it was built so to break the South wind, le vent d'Autan). Every time you see a carriage entrance (huge doors), take a look inside: the town is full of small gardens and sumptuous houses hidden behind high walls.
Enter any church you pass by, if you can (St-Étienne, St-Sernin, La Daurade, la Dalbade).
Stop by Place St-Georges for lunch.
Stroll (or jog) along the Garonne or the canal du Midi.
Enter shops and art galleries. Drink. Talk to people. Enjoy their beautiful accent.
It's one of the most civilized cities in the world, very old and very young at the same time.
posted by bru at 7:38 PM on April 17

And make sure you parle francais en italiques!

It's a beautiful place, so try and spend an afternoon walking around with your camera; I'll bet you'll get some great shots.
posted by oxford blue at 4:13 AM on April 18

I didn't care much for Toulouse; too busy and crowded. Which isn't to say you won't have a good time there, it'll be interesting. Particularly if you like student culture. But if I had an idle week in Toulouse I'd plan on some outings.

One town I found fascinating is Albi, about 80km northeast of Toulouse. I imagine it's an easy train ride or drive. It's a pleasant big town and has an astonishing fortress-like cathedral in the middle. Good excuse to learn about the Cathar history.

Carcassonne is also worth a visit, about 90km east. The medieval old town is very touristy but also quite beautiful.

Sarlat la-Caneda is a good center for touristing in the Lot / Dordogne region. But it's a good 200km north, I wouldn't go that far if I were you.
posted by Nelson at 7:47 AM on April 18