Tourist Attractions in Toulouse

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Toulouse

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Toulouse

The history of Toulouse dates back to the 3rd century BC, when a small Celtic settlement was founded here. In the 2nd century, the Aquitanian road passed through it, so the town became an important centre of trade and supply for the Roman army. Since then, its development has been on the rise.

Toulouse is called the “pink city” because of the large number of red brick buildings. Since the XV century, rich merchants built luxurious mansions here, which are nowadays considered to be examples of Gothic and Renaissance.

Toulouse has many interesting museums, neighbourhoods and a vast green area, perfectly adapted for recreation. This charming French city has a unique charm that is felt by all travellers.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Toulouse

Toulouse’s City Hall

 3.9/5

664 reviews

The building of the city council in Toulouse is called the Capitol, because the members of the local magistrate were called “capituli”. The modern structure was erected in the XVIII century according to the project of G. Camma in a transitional style from Baroque to Classicism. In the XIX century the interior decoration was created, which has survived to this day. Since 1818, the Town Hall has been home to the Toulouse Opera House and a concert hall.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse

 4.7/5

11598 reviews

The basilica was built in honour of the first bishop of Toulouse, Saint Saturninus, who lived in the city in the 3rd century and was executed for refusing to take part in pagan rituals. In the 5th century, a temple was built over the martyr’s tomb, which later grew into a full-fledged abbey. The Basilica of Saint-Sernin appeared in the XI-XII centuries, together with it was built a special inn for pilgrims. The building is the only structure of the abbey that has survived to this day.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Saint Stephen's Cathedral

 4.5/5

4145 reviews

The construction of the cathedral began in the 11th century and lasted for many hundreds of years, so several styles can be discerned in the architectural appearance of the building. The inhabitants of Toulouse still consider this church unfinished. In fact, the cathedral looks like a group of separate buildings united with each other. The facade is decorated with stained glass windows of the XVI century, in the interior there are decorative elements created in the XVI-XVII centuries.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Couvent des Jacobins

 4.6/5

5949 reviews

A 13th century temple, which from the 18th century was used as a gunpowder storehouse. The building is built in the French Gothic style. The interiors are decorated with a large number of stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes. The relics of the religious philosopher Thomas Aquinas are kept in the church. Nowadays, the church building is used for classical music concerts.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Basilica of Our Lady of the Daurade

 4.5/5

862 reviews

The first temple was erected on the site of a Roman sanctuary, which was given to the Christian community in the 5th century. The basilica existed until the XVIII century. Due to its dilapidated state, it was demolished and a decision was made to build a new building. Reconstruction works continued until the end of the XIX century. The main shrine of the temple is the statue of the Black Madonna. The Basilica is a venue for international organ music festivals.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Résidence Étudiante Toulouse - Denfert Rochereau

 4.2/5

52 reviews

A 16th century mansion built for P. Assese, a wealthy Toulouse industrialist. His descendants owned the building until the 18th century, when it was taken over by the Ozen Bank. The mansion was designed by N. Bachelier in the Renaissance style. Today, the building houses the Bemberg Museum, which exhibits valuable paintings by French painters as well as recognised artists from other European countries.

Open time

Monday: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Wednesday: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Muséum de Toulouse

 4.5/5

3672 reviews

Museum of Natural History, which was established in the late 18th century thanks to the efforts of naturalist F.P. de La Perouse on the territory of the former monastery. The museum’s holdings contain about 2.5 million specimens. The collection is exhibited in 19 halls, the total area of which exceeds 6 thousand square metres. The exposition is constantly replenished with gifts from private collections. The museum also has a library and a pedagogical department.

Open time

Musée des Augustins

 4.4/5

2830 reviews

The museum collection is located on the territory of the monastery, which was taken from the church in the 18th century in favour of the state. The exposition is an extensive collection of sculpture and paintings. The oldest specimens belong to the period of the Middle Ages. The museum was created by special order of the new republican government that came to power as a result of the Great French Revolution.

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Musée Saint-Raymond

 4.6/5

1297 reviews

The museum is located near the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in a historic building dating back to the 16th century. The building was formerly a college dormitory. The Saint-Reymond Museum is dedicated to the history of Toulouse. In its halls exhibits found on excavations in the vicinity of the city. The collection consists of jewellery, bas-reliefs, coins, bronzes and other historical artefacts.

Open time

Georges Labit Museum

 4.3/5

1020 reviews

The collection appeared at the end of the 19th century. It is dedicated to the culture of Ancient Egypt and states located in the Asia-Pacific region. The museum was founded by J. Laby, a great connoisseur of Asian art and collector of antiquities. In the exhibition halls you can see exhibits brought from India and Indonesia, Japan, Tibet and China, Thailand and Vietnam, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Les Abattoirs

 4.3/5

3448 reviews

The museum was established on the site of the former slaughterhouses of the first half of the 19th century. This fact is reflected in the name of the gallery. Despite its short history, Les Abattoirs is already called one of the best museums of contemporary art in France. The collection is a collection of sculptures, drawings, paintings, photographs and installations that were created in the XX-XXI centuries.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Cité de l'Espace

 4.1/5

4879 reviews

The park was created in 1997 near the Toulouse Space Centre on the initiative of the city authorities and with the support of the French government. Models of space engines, satellites, rockets and ships are placed on the territory of the museum. More than half of the exhibits are of Soviet manufacture. They were acquired in the USSR and Russia at different times. In addition to viewing the equipment, visitors can take part in an interactive attraction simulating a rocket launch.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bord de Garonne

 0/5

The tower was erected at the beginning of the XIX century on the funds of the city capitol Sh. Lagan. The construction works lasted for five years. Until 1870, the structure provided water delivery to the network of city fountains. For almost a hundred years a warehouse was located on its territory. In 1974, a photography exhibition gallery with a small permanent exhibition and space for temporary exhibitions was opened in the tower.

Open time

Stadium TFC

 4.3/5

5716 reviews

A sports arena used for football matches. It is also used by the local rugby team. The stadium was built in the 1930s. In 1998 and 2016 it hosted several matches of the World and European Football Championship, in 2007 – the Rugby World Cup. The arena has a capacity of 35,000 spectators. Large-scale reconstructions were carried out in 1949 and 1997.

Open time

Pont Neuf

 4.6/5

4997 reviews

Despite its name, the New Bridge has a rather solid age. It was built in the XVII century. Work on the construction of the bridge began in 1544, and it was finished only by 1632 because of the constant religious wars. The design of the structure was changed several times with the arrival of a new architect. In the end, the result was a rather reliable building, very resistant to destruction due to dilapidation and to natural disasters.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Espace EDF Le Bazacle

 4.4/5

1377 reviews

In the past, “Bazacle” was the name of the ford by which the inhabitants of the city crossed the river. In the period of XII-XVIII centuries in this place were built dams, a bridge and mills, in the XIX century was built hydroelectric power station, which supplied Toulouse with electricity. In 1946, the complex was bought by the state and turned into a tourist attraction. In the halls of the former hydroelectric power station, a gallery is open, where interesting contemporary exhibitions are held.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Jardin des Plantes

 4.6/5

9980 reviews

The city’s Botanical Garden was founded in 1730 by the Scientific Society of Toulouse. Subsequently, it had to move twice until in 1794 it occupied the site where it still stands today. The landscaping was designed by L. Mondran. In 1808, by decree of Napoleon Bonaparte, the garden became the property of the city and was opened to the public. The Museum of Natural History of Toulouse is located within the park.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Grand Rond

 4.5/5

4137 reviews

The Parc Grand Ron is part of Toulouse’s green space, which includes the Botanical Gardens and the Royal Gardens. Together they form a harmonious ensemble. The Grand Rhône was designed in the 18th century as part of a plan to improve the city. The park is characterised by the features of English landscape design, it is decorated with ray-alleys, stone sculptures and small fountains. There are several dozen species of trees in the garden.

Open time

Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis

 4.5/5

15004 reviews

A garden in the classical Japanese tradition, located within the Compagnes-Caffarelli Park. The garden was laid out in 1981 thanks to the initiative of the mayor of Toulouse, P. Bodi. The design of the park was based on the Kyoto gardens of the XIV-XVI centuries. In the centre of the territory there is a small pond with a classic tea house, to which a red bridge leads. There are symbolic stones scattered around the garden, which represent the sacred Mount Fuji.

Open time

South Channel

A 240-kilometre-long waterway that connects the Garonne River and Lake Étan de Tho. The South and Garonne Canal join to form the Canal of the Two Seas, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The waterway was laid out in the 17th century under Louis IV. Up to the 80s of the XX century, commercial ships travelled along it. In 1996, the canal was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a monument of engineering architecture of the XVII century.