Hotels in Arrondissement of Toulouse

Toulouse is a great place to combine your love for science, arts, history, and culture. What may seem like a typical rustic French region, Toulouse breaks the stereotype of what a French province would be like. It is the head of the European aerospace industry, has one of the most successful rugby union clubs in Europe, and was home to several Nobel Prize winners and impressionist painter and artists. It showcases great pieces from yesteryears and modern technology, which shows the region’s exciting growth.

How to Get There

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is the easiest way for international flights to reach Toulouse. There are several ways to go from the airport to the city center and vice-versa. The first option is the tramway, which is the region’s main form of public transport. Travel time would be around 20 to 30 minutes. Other options include taxis, rental cars, motorbikes, bikes, ride-sharing, and the bus. All of these options are available to book beforehand online through the airport website.

Getting Around

Like most areas in France, the most preferred mode of transportation in Toulouse is the train. They have several kinds of trains going to different main areas of France and all travel differently depending on your needs. For short-distance travel, renting a bicycle is the best option. They even have a subscription for bikes, should you need one for your trip. For a more scenic route, you may go for the Canal Du Midi route and see everything from the waters of Toulouse.

Top Things to Do

Many tourists would go first for the biggest attraction sites in Toulouse, and there’s a good reason for it. Visiting the Basilica of Saint-Sernin is easy coming from the city square. It takes only five minutes, but it’ll take you longer to appreciate its beautiful architecture that tells the fascinating stories of its rich history.

Meanwhile, find the melting pot of all the culture of Toulouse in one place when you visit Capitole de Toulouse. You’ll find a lot of interesting things in the square. Drop by in the late afternoon to evening to see the beautiful lights embrace the city square and give you a romantic and scenic vibe as you stroll around.

Another way to explore Toulouse’s great culture is to visit Musée des Augustins, which is an art lover’s dream come true. And even if you are not an art aficionado, this museum is worth your time. Filled with Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque pieces of art as well as modern art from the 20th century, this will give you a sense of time-travel as the artworks usually depict the story during the time it was done. For a more entertaining night, tourists flock to the Theater du Capitole or the house of performing arts. The French theater has ballet and opera and is situated in the city hall. Enjoy the night of cultural and high-class entertainment at this house.

It might be surprising to find a Japanese garden in a French region, but Toulouse just has exactly that place. The aptly called Jardin Japonais is a place of zen. If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the perfect place to visit. You’ll see a variety of wildlife as well as benches that will give you the time and place to quietly ponder.

What to Eat

Dining in a two Michelin-starred restaurant is possible in Toulouse with Michel Sarran. The restaurant, named after the head chef, serves delightful dishes in a beautiful, artistic manner. It may come as more expensive, but truly worth the big bucks.

For the adventurous eater who is not bothered by the lack of vegetables, L’aubrac is the one restaurant that will delight meat-lovers. An open-fire is in the restaurant and meat is cooked over it by the chefs who certainly know what they are doing. With an offering of 12 different dried sausages, you can mix and match as much as you like.

For a nice, warm bowl of delicious cassoulet, Le Colombier is the place to be. The pricing is a bit steeper, but this is the best place to experience Toulouse’s famous dish and other French comfort food.

Nightlife

Even with the nightlife, Toulouse can be just a tad classier than the rest of the world. Fat Cat, a classy bar with the occasional live jazz piano has the best bartenders for the creative drink of your choice. But if you’re looking for something more lively and energetic, get your dance on at Le Royals. The club prides itself on having the 25-30 age range and hosts parties after office hours for tourists and young locals alike.

Even this region of France is not immune to the beauty of Cuba as they even have a club called Puerto Habana. Armed with a dance floor, you might just a workout getting your groove on while sipping delicious cocktails and eating tapas in this club.

For a night of casual drinking and hanging out with friends, Chez Vicente is the best place to go to. The tapas bar is located right smack into the middle of Toulouse. It might not have the best view, but it is always packed because of its welcoming and relaxing vibe.

Where to Stay

You’ll not lack for a place to stay in Toulouse as they have a wide range of hotels available. Aside from big-name hotels, they have local hotels that offer you the very best of the Toulouse experience. A cozy boutique hotel is always a great option for budget travelers. One good option is Hotel St. Claire. It is located five minutes away from the bustling capital or Place du Capitole.

For the traveler looking for more than just the good accommodation, Père Léon is the hotel of choice. It started originally as a wine bar and renovated to be a hotel. It still keeps its wines that are up to two hundred years old and is a great stop for wine-lovers.

For a breathtaking view of the river, Hôtel des Beaux Arts is the perfect hotel. It has an excellent restaurant that serves authentic, South-west French cuisine. Even more impressive, the hotel offers competitive rates and offers that will just make you think twice before booking anywhere else.

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