The history of Toulouse began in the 3rd century BC, when a small Celtic settlement was founded here. In the II century, the Aquitaine road passed through it, so the town turned into an important center of trade and support for the Roman army. Since then, its development has been increasing.
Toulouse is called the "pink city" because of the large number of red brick buildings. Since the 15th century, wealthy merchants have built luxurious mansions here, which in our time are considered examples of the Gothic and Renaissance.
Toulouse has many interesting museums, neighborhoods and a vast green area perfect for relaxation. This charming French city has a unique charm that all travelers feel.
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What to see and where to go in Toulouse?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Toulouse town hall
The building of the city council in Toulouse is called the Capitol, as the members of the local magistrate were called "chapters". The modern building was erected in the 18th century according to the project of G. Kamma in a transitional style from Baroque to Classicism. In the 19th century, interior decoration was created, which has survived to this day. Since 1818, the Toulouse Opera House has been located in the building of the Town Hall, and there is also a concert hall.
Basilica Saint-Sernin
The basilica was erected in honor of the first bishop of Toulouse, Saint Saturnin, 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 grave of the martyr, which later grew into a full-fledged abbey. Basilica Saint-Sernin appeared in the XI-XII centuries, along with it a special inn for pilgrims was built. The building is the only abbey building that has survived to this day.
Cathedral of Saint-Etienne
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. Residents of Toulouse still consider this church unfinished. In fact, the cathedral looks like a group of separate buildings connected with each other. The façade is decorated with 16th century stained-glass windows; the interior contains decorative elements created in the 16th-17th centuries.
Church of the Jacobins
A 13th century temple that has been used as a powder store since the 18th century. The building was built in the "French" Gothic style. The interiors are decorated with a large number of stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes. The church houses the relics of the religious philosopher Thomas Aquinas. Today the building of the temple is used for concerts of classical music.
Basilica of Notre Dame de la Dorade
The first temple was erected on the site of a Roman sanctuary, which was transferred to the Christian community in the 5th century. The basilica existed until the 18th century. Due to its dilapidated state, it was demolished and a decision was made to build a new building. The reconstruction work continued until the end of the 19th century. The main shrine of the temple is the statue of the Black Madonna. The Basilica is home to international organ music festivals.
Mansion of Assez
A 16th century mansion built for P. Assez, a wealthy Toulouse industrialist. His descendants owned the building until the 18th century, then it passed into the possession of the Ozen Bank. The mansion was built according to the project of N. Bachelier in the Renaissance style. Today, the building houses the Bemberg Museum, which exhibits valuable canvases by French painters, as well as recognized artists from other European countries.
Toulouse Museum
The Museum of Natural History, which was formed at the end of the 18th century thanks to the efforts of the naturalist F.P. de La Perouse on the territory of the former monastery. The museum funds contain about 2.5 million copies. The collection is exhibited in 19 rooms, the total area of which exceeds 6 thousand square meters. The exposition is constantly replenished with gifts from private collections. The museum also has a library and a pedagogical department.
Augustinian Museum
The museum collection is located on the territory of the monastery, which was taken from the church in the 18th century in favor of the state. The exposition is an extensive collection of sculpture and painting. The oldest specimens belong to the Middle Ages. The museum was created by special order of the new republican government, which came to power as a result of the Great French Revolution.
Saint-Raymond Museum
The museum is located near the Saint-Sernin Basilica in a historic building from the 16th century. Previously, this building housed a college dormitory. The Saint-Reymond Museum is dedicated to the history of Toulouse. In its halls, exhibits found during excavations in the vicinity of the city are exhibited. The collection consists of jewelry, bas-reliefs, coins, bronzes and other historical artifacts.
Georges Laby Museum
The collection appeared at the end of the 19th century. It is dedicated to the culture of Ancient Egypt and the states located in the Asia-Pacific region. The museum was founded by J. Labi, 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.
Museum of Contemporary Art "Les Abattoirs"
The museum was created 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 of existence, "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.
Space City Theme Park
The park was created in 1997 near the Toulouse space center at the initiative of the city authorities and with the support of the French government. On the territory of the museum are placed models of space engines, satellites, rockets and ships. More than half of the exhibits are of Soviet production. They were acquired in the USSR and Russia at different times. In addition to inspecting equipment, visitors can take part in an interactive attraction simulating a rocket launch.
Lagan water tower
The tower was erected at the beginning of the 19th century at the expense of the city chapter of Sh. Lagan. Construction work lasted five years. Until 1870, the structure provided the delivery of water to the network of city fountains. A warehouse was located on its territory for almost a hundred years. In 1974, a photography exhibition gallery was opened in the tower, with a small permanent exhibition and space for temporary exhibitions.
Municipal stadium of Toulouse
A sports arena that is used to host football matches. It also features a local rugby team. The stadium was built in the 30s. XX century. In 1998 and 2016. he has hosted several matches of the World and European Football Championship, in 2007 - the Rugby World Cup. The arena is designed for 35 thousand spectators. Large-scale renovations were carried out in 1949 and 1997.
New bridge
Despite its name, the New Bridge is quite old. It was built in the 17th century. Work on the construction of the bridge began in 1544, it was possible to finish them only by 1632 due to constant religious wars. The design of the structure was changed several times with the arrival of a new architect. The result was a fairly reliable building, very resistant to destruction due to dilapidation and natural disasters.
Basacle
Previously "Bazaklem" was the name of the ford, along which the inhabitants of the city crossed the river. In the period XII-XVIII centuries.dams, a bridge and mills were erected in this place, and a hydroelectric power station was built in the 19th century, supplying Toulouse with electricity. In 1946, the complex was purchased by the state and turned into a tourist attraction. A gallery has been opened in the halls of the former hydroelectric power station, where interesting modern exhibitions are held.
Botanical Garden
The City Botanical Garden was founded in 1730 by the Toulouse Scientific Society. Subsequently, he had to move twice to a new place, until in 1794 he occupied the territory on which he is still located. The landscape design was created according to the project of L. Mondran. In 1808, by decree of Napoleon Bonaparte, the garden became part of the city and was opened to the public. Within the park is the Natural History Museum of Toulouse.
Park Gran Rhône
The Grand Rhone Park is part of the green area of Toulouse, which includes the Botanical and Royal Gardens. Together they form a harmonious ensemble. The Gran Ron project was developed in the 18th century as part of a plan for the improvement of the city. The park is characterized by features of English landscape design; it is decorated with rays-alleys, stone sculptures and small fountains. Several dozen species of trees grow in the garden.
Japanese garden
A garden in classic Japanese tradition, located within the Compance-Caffarelli Park. The garden was laid out in 1981 thanks to the initiative of the Mayor of Toulouse P. Bodie. The design of the park was based on the Kyoto gardens of the XIV-XVI centuries. In the center of the territory there is a small pond with a classic teahouse, to which a red bridge leads. Scattered throughout the garden are symbolic stones that represent the sacred Mount Fuji.
South channel
A 240 km long waterway that connects the Garonne River and Lake Etan de Tau. The South and Garonne Canals join into a single Canal of the two seas, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The waterway was laid down in the 17th century under Louis IV. Until the 80s. In the 20th century, commercial ships cruised along it. In 1996, the canal was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a monument of 17th century engineering architecture.
