18 best things to do in Toulouse: our top picks

Toulouse, known as La Ville Rose for its pink-hued brick buildings, is a relaxed city in southwestern France with a distinct character. The historic center is full of Romanesque churches, winding streets, and canal paths, while the city is also known for its role in the aerospace industry. There are plenty of local traditions and things to see in Toulouse; here’s our pick of our favorites. 

1. Basilique Saint-Sernin

Basilique Saint-Sernin is the biggest Romanesque church still standing in Europe, and it’s right in the heart of Toulouse. It’s hard to miss. Built in the 11th century out of the city’s signature pink brick, it catches the light beautifully—especially around sunset. The church is named after Saint Saturnin, Toulouse’s first bishop, who was martyred back in 250 CE.

The five-level bell tower is hard to miss, and the interior is just as striking, with vaulted ceilings and columns carved with scenes from both the Bible and medieval daily life. You can also visit the crypt, where you’ll find a collection of relics that pilgrims have been coming to see for centuries.

The church is still active and often hosts concerts thanks to its amazing acoustics and its famous Cavaillé-Coll organ.
 

2. Gâteau du fénétra & violet sweets

Toulouse has its own flavor in sweets, and two classics stand out. First is Gâteau du Fénétra, a simple cake you’ll find in most patisseries. It layers shortbread with apricot jam, candied lemon, and melon—recipes trace back to Roman festivals for Diana.

Then there are the violet treats. Toulouse has been growing violets since the 1800s, and you’ll see them transformed into everything from crystallized petals to liqueur. That light floral hint is unlike anything else—you can taste it in candies and syrups. Many bakeries will let you sample a piece or two, and if you end up here in February, the violet festival fills the city with purple stalls and tasting booths.

3. Place du Capitole

This square is basically Toulouse’s main gathering place. It’s wide and pedestrian-only, lined with cafés and centered around the big Capitole building—part city hall, part opera house.

There’s a huge Occitan cross set into the ground in the middle of the square, and inside the Capitole you can see the Hall of Illustrious Citizens, with murals that cover the walls and ceiling. The Salle des Illustres has ceiling paintings that are worth a look if you're nearby.

During the day, it's a good place to grab a coffee and people-watch. At night, it lights up and has more of a low-key atmosphere. A few mornings a week, there’s a market in the square where you can check out local produce and handmade items.

4. Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes is where you go when you need a breather from the city. It’s been around since the late 1700s and started out as a medicinal plant garden, but now it’s a mix of manicured French-style beds and more relaxed English-style landscaping. You’ll find winding paths, old trees, seasonal flowers, small ponds, and a few bridges that make for a good walk.

There’s a greenhouse with tropical plants, and in summer, the butterfly garden draws in a surprising number of species. Families come here for the open lawns and the playground, but it’s also a nice place to just sit with a coffee or stroll through on your way to the Natural History Museum next door. 

Spring and autumn are especially nice—the magnolias and cherry blossoms pop in spring, and the maples turn fiery in the fall. This is a great place to go if you’re traveling to France with kids.

5. Cité de l’Espace

If you’re even slightly interested in space, Cité de l’Espace is worth the detour. It’s a science museum and outdoor park all about Toulouse’s aerospace connections. You can walk through life-size models of the Mir space station and the Ariane 5 rocket, and the planetarium does a great job of making the solar system feel closer than it is. The IMAX-style theater runs big-space documentaries if you want a break indoors.

It’s hands-on and pretty interactive—kids get into the gravity simulators and rocket exhibits, while adults usually end up digging into the history of Europe’s space missions. Things are updated fairly regularly, so it’s not just a one-time visit. Good if you're traveling with family, or if you’re the type who reads about space for fun.
 

6. Le Taquin

Le Taquin is a low-key jazz venue tucked into the Saint-Cyprien neighborhood. It’s small, intimate, and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but it’s probably the best place in town to catch live jazz. The name is a nod to an old sliding puzzle game, but the vibe is more about fluid, improvised music than puzzles.

You’ll hear a mix of styles—classic jazz, experimental stuff, and sometimes a little funk or fusion. Local musicians play alongside international acts, and the sound quality is surprisingly good for such a cozy space. The owner is a saxophonist himself, so it’s run by someone who actually cares about the music. There’s a small bar with local drinks, and the crowd tends to be laid-back but into it. A good pick if you're looking for a relaxed night out that’s still got some energy.

7. Couvent des Jacobins

Right in the center of Toulouse, the Couvent des Jacobins is a striking example of Southern Gothic architecture. Built in 1230 by Dominican friars, it's made of the city's trademark red brick—the same kind that gives Toulouse its “Pink City” nickname.

Inside a single column in the choir that branches out at the top like a giant stone palm tree. It’s an impressive bit of medieval engineering that still feels bold centuries later. The convent is also the resting place of Saint Thomas Aquinas..

The cloister garden is calm and quiet. If you're lucky, you might catch a classical concert in the old refectory, where the acoustics are surprisingly good. Some recent restoration work also uncovered medieval frescoes that had been hidden under plaster for years.
 

8. Try Toulouse sausage & duck confit at Le Colombier

Le Colombier is the kind of place you go when you want to eat something traditional in Toulouse. They stick closely to old regional recipes, especially when it comes to Toulouse sausage and duck confit.

The sausage here is coarsely ground pork, seasoned with garlic and herbs, and has that dense, satisfying texture that comes from being made the traditional way. The duck confit is slow-cooked in its own fat until it’s fall-apart tender. You’ll usually find both in the cassoulet, a hearty white bean stew that shows up bubbling hot in its own clay dish, with a golden crust on top.

The restaurant itself is tucked into an old 18th-century townhouse with wooden beams and brick walls—it’s got a comfortable, no-fuss atmosphere that feels rooted in place. Great for anyone who wants a real taste of southwest France.

9. Victor Hugo Market

Victor Hugo Market has been a fixture in Toulouse since the 1890s, and it’s still where many locals go to shop for produce, cheese, meat, and prepared food. There are around 80 vendors inside, and depending on when you visit, you’ll see chefs picking out ingredients, people grabbing their groceries for the weekend, or friends meeting for lunch upstairs.

It’s not fancy, but it’s lively—people chatting with the stall owners, vendors handing out samples, the smell of bread and roast chicken in the air. You can pick up things like violet-flavored sweets (a local favorite), foie gras, or jars of cassoulet to take home.

Upstairs, there’s a row of casual restaurants where the market goods end up on your plate—perfect for trying a bit of everything without committing to a big dinner reservation.
 

10. Les Abattoirs

Les Abattoirs used to be the city’s slaughterhouses, but now it’s one of Toulouse’s main centers for contemporary art. The building itself dates back to 1828, and that industrial character hasn’t been erased.

Inside, you’ll find a mix of permanent pieces (including works by Picasso) and temporary exhibitions that change regularly. Most of the collection focuses on art from the 1950s onward, with a strong emphasis on European and regional artists.
One of the highlights is the sculpture garden outside, which runs along the Garonne River

11. Aeroscopia

Aeroscopia is just outside the city and gets into Toulouse’s role in the aerospace industry. There are around 30 planes on display—including two Concordes you can actually walk through. You don’t have to be an airplane nerd to enjoy it. There are plenty of hands-on exhibits, and the layout makes it easy to follow how aviation has changed over time.

Sometimes retired pilots hang around to talk about their experience, which adds a nice personal angle. The building is shaped like a plane fuselage, which is a fun touch, and there’s a mix of historic aircraft and newer tech like flight simulators. It’s especially good if you’re with kids
 

12. La Halle de la Machine

This place is unlike anywhere else in Toulouse. La Halle de la Machine is home to massive mechanical creatures—for a example a 47-ton Minotaur or a giant spider—that actually move. You can watch them in action, and in some cases, even ride them around the grounds. The whole thing feels part engineering lab, part street theater.

It’s run by a team that explains everything as they go, staying in character while they show off how the machines work. The performances and demonstrations are surprisingly poetic, especially considering how heavy-duty the mechanics are. 
The location itself has some history too—it’s on the old Montaudran airfield, where early mail planes once took off.

13. Saint-Cyprien

Saint-Cyprien sits on the left bank of the Garonne and feels like its own little world. It used to be a working-class neighborhood, and you can still feel that history in the narrow streets and old brick buildings, but there’s also a creative energy here now.

At the center is the Romanesque Saint-Nicolas church, and just around the corner is Place Roguet, where you’ll find a great Sunday morning market packed with produce, cheese, and charcuterie.

This area’s great if you’re looking for something a little less busy but still close to everything. You’ll find casual cafés, everyday life, and a more relaxed rhythm.
 

14. Cathédrale Saint-Étienne

Cathédrale Saint-Étienne doesn’t look quite like other cathedrals, and that’s kind of the point. It’s a bit uneven—part of it is Romanesque, part is Gothic—and none of it lines up perfectly. You can tell it was built in stages over a long time.

Inside, it’s quiet and a little dim, with big stained-glass windows casting colored light onto the stone. There’s an old organ up above the entrance and a few side chapels with Renaissance paintings. It’s right in the middle of the historic center, so it’s easy to swing by if you’re walking around.

15. Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi starts in Toulouse, and it’s one of those places that’s easy to overlook until you’re walking along it. The path is flat and shaded by big plane trees, so it’s good for a bike ride or a long walk when you want some quiet.

You’ll see houseboats tied up along the banks and people working the locks. Some boats cruise through slowly, and others seem like they haven’t moved in weeks. There are cafés nearby where you can sit and watch the water, or you can just bring your own drink and find a bench.

It’s a good way to see a different side of the city—still central, but much calmer. If you’re looking for something low-key and outdoors, it’s a nice way to spend part of your day.
 

16. Aperitif at Place Saint-Pierre

Place Saint-Pierre is where you can quickly get a feel for the social side of Toulouse. Just by the Garonne River, surrounded by old buildings that used to be grain warehouses, this square fills up as the sun goes down.

You’ll see a mix of students, toulousains finishing work, and travelers all grabbing a drink before dinner. Wine, local beers, and violet liqueur cocktails are popular here, usually paired with things like duck confit, saucisson, or Roquefort on bread. 

It’s a good call if you’re traveling alone and want to chat with people or if you’re with friends and looking for an easygoing evening. The view of the river at sunset doesn’t hurt, either.

17. Les Halles de la Cartoucherie

Les Halles de la Cartoucherie is a newer addition to Toulouse’s food scene, set in a huge old munitions factory that’s been reworked into a food hall and event space. It opened in 2023 and quickly became a popular hangout.

There are over 40 different food counters, from southwest French staples to more international kitchens. You can grab a quick plate of cassoulet, Vietnamese noodles, or something vegan—then sit wherever you find space.

The place still has its industrial feel—high ceilings, steel beams—but it’s relaxed. During the day, it’s family-friendly and easygoing. At night, it picks up with live music, DJs, or art installations. 

18. Saint-Pierre-des-Cuisines (underground exploration)

Just beneath the city streets, Saint-Pierre-des-Cuisines takes you into one of the oldest Christian sites in France. The underground part of the church includes Roman ruins and early Christian architecture, all layered together in one place.

Glass walkways let you look straight down at tombs and ancient foundations—some of it dating back to the 4th century. You’ll see Romanesque and Gothic elements here too, and the way it’s lit makes it feel quiet and a little eerie.

They sometimes hold classical concerts down here, which makes use of the natural acoustics. It’s usually pretty calm, with only a few other visitors, so you can take your time.