About Toulouse
A city that combines heritage, innovation and lifestyle
Toulouse stands midway between France’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, not far north of the Pyrenean foothills. Capital of the Occitanie Region, the 4th largest town in France is an unmissable place.
Nicknamed ‘The Pink City’, due to the colour of the predominant bricks, Toulouse has a marked southern European feel and charm.
Visitors can enjoy exploring the city’s historic streets on foot or by bike and discovering the place’s many architectural treasures. These include: the mighty town hall, Le Capitole, overseeing a huge café-lined square marked by an Occitan cross; St Sernin Basilica; and Les Jacobins, a profoundly significant former monastery now home to cultural events.
The Garonne’s riverbanks, the Canal de Brienne and, of course, the Canal du Midi, offer visitors particularly lovely green routes through the city.
Excursions
On Wednesday 3rd afternoon, time is managed to let you discover our city. A lunchbox will be served to allow easy dispatching of the groups according to the activities chosen. Below is a short description of these activities, that will be open depending on participant wishes and feasibility.
Aeroscopia Museum, Blagnac
A circuit to get to know the museum and discover through the collection the roots of the history of Toulouse aeronautics. The visit is punctuated by stops around the historic fresco, the 3 emblematic planes of the museum but also under the planes, for more technical points such as the operation of the engines, flight controls..Learn more about Aeroscopia
Halle de la Machine
On the Piste des Géants, in the Montaudran district of Toulouse, the Halle de La Machine has opened its doors and presents the show machines of the Compagnie La Machine and François Delaroziere. The Halle de La Machine houses the Minotaur, created especially for Toulouse. On a daily basis, this monumental and singular machine takes the public on its back for unique journeys. Learn more about la Halle de la Machine
Cité de l’espace
With 4,000 square meters of exhibitions, gardens, an IMAX® 3D room, a telescope and two planetariums, the Cité de l’espace has enough to immerse your head in the stars! The activities and exhibitions to discover are closely linked to space news. Share the scientific challenges facing international space agencies. Come explore the Martian terrain, a realistic setting made up of sand and rocks with the characteristic color of a Mars crater. A space is also dedicated to the James Webb telescope to contemplate the images taken by this powerful space telescope and understand its role in the observation and understanding of the Universe. Learn more about la Cité de l’espace
Guided visit of Toulouse downtown
Your guide-lecturer will reveal the secrets and traditions of the city, taking you from alleys to alleys, and from squares to squares, without ever neglecting the heritage, architectural and gastronomic elements: churches, remains, lines of buildings, anecdotes and culinary specialties. Outstanding places as Capitole Place, Assezat Hotel, Garonne river, etc will be presented to you.
Technical visit – EDF Bazacle
In the city center of Toulouse, discover the EDF Bazacle spaces, this unusual 2000 m² place dedicated to the hydroelectric industry, historical heritage, local culture and also the biodiversity of the Garonne. A hydraulic power station in operation since 1888, the EDF Bazacle spaces offer you a diversified offer: a self-guided tour around energies, biodiversity, and permanent and temporary exhibitions… As highlight, the large panoramic terrace overlooking the Garonne with a breath-taking view of the city of Toulouse. Bonus: the Bazacle fish pass & its observation port to see, with a little luck, the migratory fish of the Garonne! Learn more about EDF Bazacle