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Last Updated: Jan 28th, 2008 - 17:11:39 |
Set in the deep south of France, Toulouse manages to encapsulate the class and candour of the south that has been such a hit with Brits over the last 30 years alongside the cocksure thrust of modern progress that one would associate with any major European city.
As France's fourth largest city, Toulouse is the perfect place to spend a European weekend break or even a fortnight sojourn.
Situated in the wine-growing centre of the south, Toulouse is a common destination for those Brits who like to spend their holidays renting villas deep within the French campagne. Ideal for a day trip, the city is renowned for its distinctive redbrick architecture and is affectionately known among the locals as "Ville Rose", the Pink City.
Day trippers will be keen to sample the city's famous town hall - the Capitol - outside of which there are several bustling markets that are sure to offer the best of the local produce from the town and its surrounding areas. The site is also home to the city's cultural centre, Theatre du Capitole, which specialises in high-quality classical
concerts.
Not far from the Capitol is the old-fashioned area named Les Carmes, which is a specialist site for antique dealers and is characterised by its strict pedestrian only streets.
But Toulouse's centrepiece is the Saint-Etienne Cathedral, which was built over five centuries ago and attracts visitors from around the world who are bedazzled by its stunning architecture that mixes the Roman art of antiquity with the French designs of the gothic period.
More Roman and Medieval sculptures can be found at the Musee des Augustins, one of the many cultural attractions in this historic yet impressively modern city.
Toulouse may be visually soothing for the older traveller but due to its thriving university population - having 115,000 students, second only to Paris - the city possesses a real youthful zest and carefree attitude,
especially when the night draws in.
Along with London, Munich and Las Vegas, Toulouse was named the third most dynamic city in the world by Newsweek in 2006 but this was just as much down to the economic opportunities as to the student population.
The main industry is aeronautics and it is home to Airbus' headquarters along with the assembly lines to many of the aeroplane manufacturer's models.
With the national Space Centre, developments to the European shuttle programme and the continent's best minds working on future aeroplanes, Toulouse is a lively and happening city that has walked into the 21st century with a swagger.
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