Toulouse

The city of Toulouse where I lived for three years prior to coming to Australia is a cosmopolitan melting-pot of culture, art, industry and architecture, not to mention some of the tastiest French food.  It is also known as 'La Ville Rose' (the Pink City) thanks to the pink bricks used in many of its buildings.  It is France's fourth-biggest city and has one of the largest universities outside Paris.   The university was founded in 1229 and is now home to more than 100,000 students.

Toulouse - Image - Courtesy Lonely Planet

Toulouse - Image - Courtesy Lonely Planet
 

This vibrant southern city has a lot going for it with its beautiful old quarter hôtels particuliers (private mansions) and a glorious location at the confluence of the Canal du Midi and the River Garonne.  It boasts some of the Southwest’s finest food markets and restaurants and the Airbus factory plays an important role in Frances’s aerospace industry.

Apartments in Central Toulouse

The café des Artistes by the Bank of the River Garonne

Cobble Stone Street near the Place du Capitole
 

Toulouse is well known for its food.  This is the home of classic French country dishes such as Cassoulet, a hearty meat and bean stew, and confit de canard, (duck that’s been preserved and cooked in its own fat).  Many dishes also feature haricots blancs (white beans), a staple of southwest cuisine.  The city has its own trademark sausage - saucisse de Toulouse, made to the same recipe since the 18th century.

Saucisse de Toulouse - Image - Courtesy Lonely Planet
 

Toulouse has several covered markets where you can soak up the city’s culinary culture. The best one is Le Marché Victor Hugo, home to the city’s top food producers, many of which have been run by the same family for generations.  Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s a fantastic place to experience the relationship France has with its food.  I recently spent 3 days in Toulouse and the first place I went to was the Marché Victor Hugo.  It is an incredible place and the range of foods you can find there is nothing short of overwhelming. Upstairs from the market are several bistros that serve traditional dishes.

 

Marche Victor Hugo in Toulouse

The Fruit & Vegetable Section of the Market

 

Artisan Bread

Breads for Every Taste

Cooked Dishes to Take Away

Cured Meats and Saucissons

Foie Gras and Pate stand

Fresh Hand-Made Pastas

Fresh Rabbits

Fresh Seafood

Lobsters and shellfish

Oysters and Seafood

Seafood Stand

Semi-Soft and Hard Cheeses

Smallgoods

Smoked Hams

The Butcher's Stand

The Cheese Stand
 

The “Place du Capitole”, Toulouse's magnificent main square is the heart of the city.  On the eastern side of the square, you will find the majestic City Hall built in the 1750s.  Inside the hall is the Théâtre du Capitole, one of France's most prestigious opera venues, and the late-19th-century Salle des Illustres (Hall of the Illustrious).  To the south of the square is the city's Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter), with narrow lanes and leafy squares brimming with cafes, shops and eateries.





The Magnificent Place du Capitole in Toulouse





The Toulouse City Council Building - View from the Place du Capitole







Inside the Toulouse City Council Building
 





Not far from there, the Ensemble Conventuel des Jacobins is a Dominican monastery built in 1229.  This brick architecture was started in 1215 by St Dominic, and completed 170 years later.  During the revolution, the monastery was transformed into barracks.  The cloister was partly destroyed and stables and an infirmary were fitted out.  The building was later restored to its former glory.

Basilique St Sernin - Image - Courtesy Lonely Planet



The Basilique St Sernin in Toulouse



One of the Entrances of the Basilique

Inside the Basilique

Stained Glass Window of the Basilique

Stained Glass Windows of the Basilique

The Ceiling of the Basilique

  

The Original Entrance Door of the Lycee Pierre de Fermat where I completed my High School Studies Prior to Leaving for Australia
 

Toulouse’s greatest asset is its location on the River Garonne.  The stately river crosses the city centre and is the heart of everyday life in the city.  Flea markets and food stalls spring up along the riverfront several times a month and public parks sprawl along its banks.  The best way to appreciate the scenery is to take a romantic twilight cruise, complete with a four-course dinner.  The Canal du Midi, a waterway stretching 240kms from Toulouse to Sete was built by Pierre Paul Riquet in the 17th Century.  It connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.

The Garonne River

Bridge over the Garonne river