Top Toulouse Tours: Explore Sightseeing & Cruises
So, if you’re thinking about checking out Toulouse, that super charming city in southern France, you might be wondering what kinda neat stuff you can do there. I mean, Toulouse’s beauty is known for being the “Pink City” because of the blush-colored brick buildings, too it’s almost packed with culture, history, and some pretty tasty food, so that you definitely won’t be bored. What’s especially helpful is this article, which looks at some of the absolute best tours, sightseeing spots, and chill cruises you can take to seriously soak it all in. I think you’ll agree with me. And you know what? Toulouse has plenty that can fill your days to the brim.
1. Toulouse City Center Walking Tour
That city center walking tour? A super way, arguably the best, to get your bearings. With one of those, you kinda stroll with a local expert, who will point out cool bits you’d likely skip right over on your own, yet who will tell stories behind the main attractions. Place du Capitole, too it’s almost Toulouse’s main square, and you will see it is grand and beautiful, especially given its the place to start a walk because people watching there is, you know, top-tier, really, especially as you take in the vibe of the place. Often tours make a visit at the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, which, you know, just happens to be the biggest Romanesque church still standing in Europe. So if that kind of massive, stunning building interests you, and I hope it does, it is an attraction not to be missed!
You’ll probably see some smaller, cool landmarks too. First is the Couvent des Jacobins, a monastery with these double rows of columns. Second is the Pont Neuf (the “New Bridge”), which is kind of funny, as it turns out it’s actually the city’s oldest bridge. These walks, well they usually take 2 to 3 hours, which could be something for you, with a little break now and then, giving you plenty of opportunities for photos and chances to grab something tasty from a local bakery. Seriously, just get pastries while you’re here.
2. Canal du Midi Boat Tour
Yet you may not know that The Canal du Midi? Is very special indeed. In the 17th century, that guy Pierre-Paul Riquet had the idea to connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Really neat, isn’t it? Today, that Canal is like a long park running right through the region. I think that cruise is almost a very neat way to see the trees and all the birds while getting the peace away from the car and bike traffic in Toulouse, which I am definitely all about. It might be, depending, that you pick either a small boat trip or one of the bigger passenger boats. Both offer great views as you slip along, even as they are just very different.
Did you know the bigger boats typically have guides, but these guides are really good and, in a way, just full of facts about that Canal’s history? Which can be the case with boats departing right from the city center! Alternatively, in the case you wanted more private or something, anyway there’s just slightly boat trips with small companies that offer cruises. Oh and a big part that has to be said? Some even add lunch or dinner to the trip! Can you picture the meal right there by the canal? Just delightful. Different trip lengths happen and could last, maybe 2 to 3 hours. Really a chance to just relax and have Toulouse gently float by!
3. Airbus Factory Tour
OK, in a way, so this one’s especially great in case you are interested in engineering and planes. Guess where Airbus’s HQ is? Right! Toulouse is basically Airbus Town. See, the tour is about walking you all over that place to view the production lines, and there are usually tons of enormous A380s under construction to check out as you see up close what plane-building looks like at the most serious level. By the way, Airbus claims their plant tour has to be booked up very front, usually because they are rather popular.
I am serious, seeing planes getting assembled from what is basically piles of parts up through nearly done is mind blowing to behold! Oh that area’s called Aeroscopia too, in the very general neighborhood, and so some tours will get you into the museum there too, which has aircraft through different eras on view so we all can learn and explore some of that stuff up-close. Even for someone just there wondering around, too it’s almost kinda special to watch. Usually a total tour eats up close to 3 hours so schedule it well!
4. Toulouse Wine Tasting Tour
Let’s make a note! The Southwest France is actually quite famous for its rather amazing wine scene, very close from Toulouse, too it’s almost only short distance from places like Gaillac, Fronton, or Cahors, all having distinct varieties that everyone should be checking out! A number of those Toulouse tasting tours are organized on an easy way that it only takes up just a little trip off there, by which you get ferried right up and basically learn what all those little details about different wines of France truly feel similar and very very different. Basically a great time for any fan of wine tasting, to find and even start enjoying other styles from across Southwest. Very fun!
You will, basically often, go around vineyards that very have families running them, with chances to ask about ways they go around wine creation plus the area culture in general. Most usually put snackies out that have to be matched-up well with some wines you taste, but there exist other ways to include that tasting with a complete real fancy meal for enjoying a long nice evening! Generally trips eat up four or maybe five hours which could be a big chance getting some knowledge in-depth in that part around Toulouses that can always please, as a matter of fact!.
5. Gourmet Food Tour of Toulouse
Alright, time to enjoy Toulouse like you’re hungry, eh? With the Gourmet Food tour you would walk right around Toulouse, seeing and stopping often that different sellers on the street offer you to try, and then maybe get on board if something stands out or is super delicious. Very fun in fact if seeing some real tasty French snacks that you otherwise missed sounds great! Really, and I mean actually really you have to see the Victor Hugo Market as one stop, given there is so extremely much great choices on snack choices inside that its the first and also perfect zone to wander off in and locate, well, some awesome munchies. A fantastic choice when its just on the matter of snack enjoyment! I’m really into those things.
Be prepared that many excursions cover certain tasty stuff, or, when feeling courageous get prepared tasting, stuff, like, you get escargots which always have many thinking about the right choices of that adventure while inside France! You definitely usually encounter pastries or different stuff with sweets depending when it seems nice to be eating them, as the sweet type really has plenty for enjoying some time to see that as a nice pick that usually goes perfectly fine on the breaks, just tasting along as tours march! I have many friends here for gourmet fun, which usually takes, you understand, approximately some 3 hours really!