Toulouse

Toulouse is a city located in the south western part of France. It was built along the banks of the River Garonne and is a city that has successfully mixed the old with the new. Through its aerospace industry, it is well on its way to future development though there are numerous old monuments and structures that are lovingly preserved for the city’s heritage.

Sights & Activities

Some of its religious structures are quite impressive and are worth visiting and exploring. The Église des Jacobins is located along Parvis des Jacobins and was built in the 13th century. Its highlights include the display of the ashes of St. Thomas of Aquinas and its beautiful cloister, which is sometimes used as an exhibition area and venue for musical performances.

The Cathédrale St. Étienne is a prominent landmark of the Place St. Étienne. There are no records to show exactly when the original parts of the church were constructed, although extensive additions where made during the 13th century. The cathedral boasts of a beautifully decorated belfry and stained glass windows.

Visitors should also take the time to stop by the Basilique St. Sernin, an impressive Romanesque structure considered to be the largest in Western Europe. Built in the 11th century, it is famous for its crypt, which contains several priceless relics, including those that belonged to St. Saturnin, the first bishop of Toulouse.

The city also boasts of another ancient landmark found nowhere else in the world, the Roman Amphitheatre of Toulouse that dated back to the 1st century AD. This arena is the site of Roman gladiator battles and is open for the public to explore.

Those interested in seeing ancient artifacts should head out to the Musée St. Raymond, situated near the Basilique St. Sernin. This museum showcases collections of Roman sculptures, medallions, and jewelry. Those with a taste for the unusual and the exotic should stop by the Musée Labit along Rue du Japon. It displays artifacts collected from Asia and Africa, including Egyptian mummies.

Toulouse also boasts of a modern-day attraction, the La Cité de l’Espace or the Space City. Situated on Parc de la Plaine, this attraction is composed of an IMAX Theatre, a planetarium, and several interactive displays and scientific exhibitions. One popular and noteworthy feature is the replica of the Mir space station.

Another modern attraction is the Clément Ader Site, located west of the city. The establishment is a well-known aircraft factory that offers tours to visitors who wish to catch glimpses on how huge passenger airplanes are assembled. The factory holds the distinction of being the first to produce the Concorde aircraft.

Weather

Toulouse is one city in France that is pleasant to visit anytime of the year. Its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea made its climate mild and temperate. Though spring and autumn can get wet as well as windy, they are still the best times to visit the city as the temperature just gets comfortable enough for outdoor explorations and trips. Summer can get hot and necessitates the use of light clothes and protection against the sun. Winter is best described as mild, with frequent rains and occasional snow.