Boating Holidays across the canals and rivers of Europe from Le Boat
Information About Toulouse, Canal Du Midi / Carmargue
Alternative Location: 
Things to do in Toulouse
Back to topWhy do we recommend stopping here?
One of France's largest cities. The warm glow of red bricks and tiles gives Toulouse its nickname, "La ville rose" (the rose red city). Culture is a keyword in Toulouse. The city is proud of its operatic traditions and has long nurtured music and entertainment: dance, theatre, concerts by the "orchestre du capitole", etc. Sport is also a tradition here, especially rugby.
What is there to see?
Many museums, monuments, churches, galleries, theatres, shops, … in short an important southern university town with a long history that left its traces. The Hôtel de Bernuy, on rue Gambetta, and the Hôtel d’Assézat at place d’Assézat, are both lovely 15th-century houses built by merchants enriched by the "pastel" commerce (blue dye); the latter contains gems by Monet, Matisse, Pissarro and Bonnard.
What can I visit?
Stroll al ong rue du Taur to see the city’s finest building, the Basilique St-Sernin, the largest Romanesque Church in Europe. With a wedding-cake spire, it was once a stop for pilgrims and so over time it accumulated an array of holy relics, most of which are on display. Across the Pont Neuf, modern art has a stylish home in Les Abattoirs (76 allée Charles de Fitte www.lesabattoirs.org, closed Mon). The show-stopper here is Picasso’s La Dépouille du Minotaure, a stage curtain from 1936.
Is this place famous for anything?
Concorde was built here
Do any famous people live here?
Toulouse was the home of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), most famous for his book Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince). There is a permanent gallery with numerous photos, and some of his works, located in the Hotel du Grand Balcon - just off the Place du Capitole - where he stayed.
Insider Information
The easiest way to travel round Toulouse is by bus or metro. There are 67 bus routes and one Metro line, Ligne A, which runs southwest-northeast and serves 18 stations. A second line, Ligne B, was scheduled for completion at the end of June 2007 and will stretch north-south, serving some 20 stations. The metro runs from about 0500 until midnight (0100 on Fridays and Saturdays). A free navette (shuttle) goes on a loop around the historic centre, Mon-Sat (0900-1900). A truly unique shop, and a bit of an institution in Toulouse, La Maison de la Violette is a barge moored opposite Gare Matabiau. It sells everything and anything made from violet (Toulouse’s flower) - from violet sweets and violet tea to violet soap and violet candles.
Is there a market day?
Toulouse boasts some 30 markets, which are great places to stock up on the city’s traditional foods and specialities. The best of the lot is the famous marché Victor Hugo (halles Victor Hugo), the temple of Toulousain gastronomy and the place to go for cheese, fish, meats, foie gras and the famous Toulouse sausages.
Marché du Cristal is the town’s largest fruit and vegetable market and is held at Boulevard de Strasbourg from Tuesday to Sunday between 6am and 1pm. On Sunday mornings, a flea market is held around the St Sernin basilica. Marché aux Puces de St-Sernin is an antiques/odds and ends/flea market held on Saturday and Sunday in Place St-Sernin between 6am and 1pm
Is there a public swimming pool?
There are several Bellevue, 69 ter, route de Narbonne, Toulouose Access Bus : 2+54 - Pool with access for the disabled Léo Lagrange, place Riquet, Toulouse, Access : bus 14, 15, 19 et 41, metro ligne A Marengo
Alternative: No
Is there a tourist office?
Office de tourisme de Toulouse, BP 38001, 31080 Toulouse Cedex6 tel +33 561 11 02 22 Mail: info@ot-toulouse.fr Website:ot-toulouse.fr The office is situated behind the Capitole, the splendid town hall in the heart of Toulouse.
Is there a golf course here or nearby?
Golf Club de Toulouse, 31 320 Vieille Toulouse, tel +33 561 73 45 48 ; mail: golf.toulouse@free.fr / Golf de Toulouse Seilh, Route de Grenade, 31840 Seilh tel +33 562 13 14 14 ; mail: toulouse.golf@maeva.fr / Golf de la Ramée, Ferme du Cousturier, 31170 Tournefeuille tel +33 561 07 09 09; mail: golf.laramee@libertysurf.fr/
Are there any museums near here?
Le Musée des Augustins = roman sculptures/ Le Musée Paul Dupuy = graphiic and decorative arts / Le Musée Georges Labit = a collection of items from Asia and the East. Les Abattoirs - modern and contemperary art
Are there any other recommended activities?
Three miles from the centre, the enormous Cité de l’Espace (avenue Jean Gonord) is an impressive celebration of the city’s position at the centre of the European Space Programme. 2005 saw the unveiling of ‘Astralea’, featuring a state-of-the-art planetarium and a sleek, modern cinema complex with a huge screen (buy tickets in advance from the main desk), as well as interactive exhibits and life-sized replicas of Ariane 5 and the Mir space station. See their website www. cite-espace.com for more details
Is there anything else worth mentioning?
September's Festival "Piano aux Jacobins". / "Jazz sur Son 31", an international jazz festival held in October. www.jazz31.com has details of the programme throughout the year. / Le Jardin japonais Compans Caffarelli at Boulevard Lascrosses. This Japanese garden, created in 1981, is an oasis of greenery in the heart of the city, and a delightful place to spend a summer afternoon
Practicalities at Toulouse
Back to topMooring
Moor at the Port Saint Sauveur (PK 5.5) - the Port Office can be contacted by phone at +33 561 14 17 25 (reservation MANDATORY). This is a secure harbour with controlled access. Mooring fee are approximately 13€ (extras on top). If you do not intend to go on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne (PK 0), this is the best place to moor and discover the town. All services and shops are within walking distance (5-10 min).The 'métro ligne B' going to the centre of town is within a 3 minutes' walk
Are there any public waste bins here?
yes
Are there toilet/shower facilities here?
yes
Is there a bank?
Credit Mutuel, 29, Allée Jean Jaurès, Toulouse. CIC Societe Bordelaise 62, Boulevard Lazare Carnot, Toulouse. Most major banks can be found in the city centre
Is there an ATM?
At most major banks
Is there a post office?
Yes, in the city centre 9, Rue Lafayette, 7, Rue Palaprat, Toulouse, 25 Rue Rémusat, Toulouse
