Toulouse
Recommended Tours

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In just a few hours, these two tours will help you discover the main tourist attractions and many charming features unique to the Pink City. The walk round the shopping area will lead you through the pretty historic alleyways woven around the center and down some of the shopping streets of Toulouse. Opt for the leisurely walk to wander across the town center from south to north, taking you through the gardens, the old districts, and along the banks of the Garonne River.

Tour the Shopping Area

The walk starts in Place Saint-Sernin where the splendid Musée Archéologique Saint-Raymond should be admired. Do not miss the Capitole, which houses the town hall at the heart of the Pink City, stroll along the pretty cobblestones of the Rue du Taur. Before starting the walk, enjoy a hearty breakfast at one of the great cafés under the arches (try the Grand Café l'Opéra, take in the local perspective: either the bustling Capitole building and its splendid façade and enter through the main passage leading to the Office de Tourisme in the castle keep of the Capitole. Take the time to gather information on the many attractions of the city and plan an excursion for the following day by reserving a seat on the boat petit train touristique. Back outside, enjoy the cheerful little park with its statues created by Toutain, a local sculptor, and rest awhile under the tall shady trees before resuming your walk.

Moving West
Take the Rue Lafayette on the other side of the Wilson Square with its many cafés and brasseries (the Capoul, the Hôtel Rességuier and the Van Gogh or the Cathédrale Saint-Etienne and its beautiful square.

Place Esquirol
Walk westwards up the main street, Rue de Metz. This route will lead you past the magnificent Comtesse du Barry, Domaine de Lastours. On the Place Esquirol or in the adjoining streets, you are bound to find a restaurant which suits your tastes: start reading menus at La Grillée...

Pedestrian area
From the Place Esquirol, take the Place Salengro. In the Rue Pantaléon, stop by the Jardin des Plantes, the oldest green area of the town. If you have time, wander through the three gardens (Grand-Rond, Jardin Royal and Jardin des Plantes), climb the foot-bridges over the road, and admire the handsome structure of the Brocante du Grand-Rond one weekend a month and the big Saint-Michel festival early each fall, until you reach the Hôtel de Clary, or the Hôtel Messac surround the Place de la Trinité.

Main street
Leave the peaceful district of Carmes to join the hustle and bustle of the city. Take the Rue de la Bourse on the other side of the Rue de Metz. As you arrive at the Place de la Bourse, don’t miss the Bemberg Foundation, devoted to fine arts.

Towards the river banks
Take the Rue Clémence Isaure and discover the Academy of Fine Arts and the Basilique de la Daurade overlooks the river here. Take the time to rest on the banks of the Pont Neuf to your left. Next, stroll up the quays towards Pont Saint-Pierre on your right. It’s a truly pleasant place for a walk under the plane trees, to revel in the charms of this shady and picturesque area. To conclude your walk, follow the Rue Pargaminières (next to the Capitole, the heart of Toulouse .


An Intimate Tour
If you're visiting France from abroad, take one of Ophorus' small group tours. The intimate tours can immerse you in beautiful areas of France and show you authentic French traditions, and walking or multi-day tours of Toulouse are very popular. Look over http://www.ophorus.com/ or contact Ophorus at +33 (0)5 61 575 139 for further details.