hkskyline's 2026 in TOULOUSE

[hkskyline]

Toulouse is a really good short getaway from my base in London. Not yet bursting with tourists on the streets, it has a nice historic centre, beautiful riverfront, and delicious food. This place is a must-see for aviation enthusiasts, with Airbus having a huge factory presence here. I could even see their huge Beluga airplanes from the civilian side of the airport.





Heading into the city centre, there are a lot of pink-coloured buildings, whose bricks are made from the local area's reddish-pink clay, giving the city the nickname "ville rose" (pink city).



























More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toulouse.htm

[mrnyc]

lovely place -- i encourage everyone to check this thread out as you have nothing to lose.

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by mrnyc

i encourage everyone to check this thread out as you have nothing to lose.

In case anybody would be in doubt or wouldn't get it, that was the pun of the week, cause English is a weird language.

First time I see hkskyline posting some France... He's wandering in hostile territory now, lol.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by mousquet

In case anybody would be in doubt or wouldn't get it, that was the pun of the week, cause English is a weird language.

First time I see hkskyline posting some France... He's wandering in hostile territory now, lol.

It has definitely been a while since I posted something from France. I might have an old Paris thread here but I did find a 2008 Avignon thread.

I actually had a good time in Toulouse. I do speak some French so getting around, ordering food, and buying tickets were not an issue, and this city was a bit laid back and felt quite safe.

[hkskyline]

Don't be fooled by the ugly white exterior. This is the oldest covered market in France, now in a modern building and turned into a major tourist attraction. With over 80 stalls, the Victor Hugo Market is a great place to stock up on groceries, which are attractively laid out in style.





































A low-profile set of stairs leads you up to a white door. Behind it on the first floor are a number of restaurants that offer local fare at very reasonable prices, including specialties such as cassoulet for a fulfilling lunch.





More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toulouse.htm

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Don't be fooled by the ugly white exterior. This is the oldest covered market in France, now in a modern building and turned into a major tourist attraction.

There would be a multi-story parking garage above the market itself.
The former, older structure definitely looked more attractive like a 19th-century market hall, but you know, using a modern car may still be handy for groceries...

Otherwise, yes, food in that region is much appreciated. It would rival Lyon as the country's food capital IMO.

[sopas ej]

Very nice photos! It's nice to see photos of "The Pink City."

And being that I have not yet eaten this morning, looking at the market photos is making me really hungry!

[ColDayMan]

Great photos!

[hkskyline]

The Capitole sits in the historic centre's main square. Councillors first purchased a building to become the "Common House" in 1190, which would be the precedessor of the Capitole. Expanded over the centuries, by the early 18th century, the building was at risk of collapse and reconstruction was needed, creating the facade that we see today.

Parts of the building are open to the public to see its elaborately-decorated rooms. It is a must-see and typically open but there are times when they shut to visitors despite their official opening hours due to events. When I first came, I was out of luck but returned first thing next morning and got in before the crowds arrived.

















































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toulouse.htm

[hkskyline]

The Halles de la Cartoucherie building is a restored historic relic from a weapons factory. During World War I, over 14,000 people worked here. By the 1970s, there were 295 buildings and workshops on the 82 hectare site.

Weapons manufacturing came to an end in the 1990s. Redevelopment has created new uses, including housing, office, hotel, and retail. The restored Halles de la Cartoucherie building opened in 2023 with many food stalls and public spaces.































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toulouse.htm

[hkskyline]

Besides the Victor Hugo Market, you can also shop for fresh groceries at the smaller Carmes Market. On top of it is a parking garage with good views of the historic centre from the rooftop. You can even see the Pyrenees in the distance!

























More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toulouse.htm

[geomorph]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

All these frescoes were worth the wait and early entry to see!

[hkskyline]

Thanks for all your comments. Here are a few more with a religious theme.

Toulouse's centre has quite a lot of churches, which is fairly common for a historic European city. However, each has its own distinct design and is beautiful in its own way.

The small Chapelle des Carmelites dates from 1622 when King Louis XIII and his wife laid the first stone. His promise for construction money never came through entirely though. Surviving destruction during the revolution, the appearance on the outside is quite low profile but the paintings inside are incredible.









Around the corner is the Saint-Sernin Basilica, the largest Romanesque church in the country. Dedicated to St. Saturninus, Toulouse's first bishop, the church was consecrated in 1096 with construction continuing until the 14th century. The huge interior space was designed to handle pilgrimmage crowds bound for Santiago de Compostela.























More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toulouse.htm