Toulouse is also nicknamed “the pink city” thanks to the pink glow from its hundreds of years old brick buildings. Visitors to Toulouse feel like they are going back in time and cannot help but be overwhelmed by the rich travel experiences here.
The pink brick houses create a beauty that is unique to Toulouse.
The charm of the ancient city
The Garonne River is the “lifeblood” of Toulouse, so it is no surprise that the oldest streets here (Lazare Carnot, Strasbourg, Metz...) all lead to the river. The Garonne River is most beautiful at sunset. The sunset meets the brick walls and dyes the sky pink. Even the coldest souls feel all five senses open to receive all that fleeting beauty. Visitors should go to the Saint-Pierre Bridge or the Notre Dame Cathedral Daurade for the best sunset view.
The Basilica of Saint-Sernin is an immortal symbol of the city of Toulouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The basilica was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries and is currently one of the largest Romanesque structures still standing in Toulouse. The bell tower alone is an architectural wonder that visitors cannot miss.
In addition to admiring the exquisite reliefs decorating the inner sanctuary of the basilica, visitors can also go down to the basement to visit the tomb of Saint Sernin (or Saint Saturnin), the tomb of Saint Honoratus, and many relics of other saints.
Toulouse's central square is always crowded with tourists, partly because of the restaurants and cafes concentrated here, and partly because of the magnificent Capitole Palace. The palace was built on the site of the old Toulouse City Hall, which dates back to the 1190s. In the 18th century, the building was renovated and expanded with the Capitole Theater. Visitors can enter the city hall for free to visit the Capitole Palace, then buy tickets to see ballet and opera performances at the theater.
Not far from the central square is the Japanese garden named after Pierre Baudis - the late mayor of Toulouse (1916 - 1997). In 1981, this mayor directly directed the construction of the 10-hectare Compans Caffarelli park right in the heart of Toulouse. This was something that few cities at that time dared to do. Mr. Baudis also set aside 7,000 square meters in the park to create a Japanese-style garden. Many visitors who come here feel like they have traveled back to Japan during the Edo period. The lake, rock garden, bridge and wooden building in the garden are all designed based on famous landmarks in Kyoto city.
Toulouse has always been the center of the French aviation industry. There are two related places that tourists should not miss. The first is the Aeroscopia Aviation Museum, which has a huge collection of aircraft models from the history of French aviation. The second is the Jean-Luc Lagardère Airbus factory, where the famous Airbus A350 is manufactured. A tour of the museum and factory costs about 46 euros and lasts nearly 6 hours.
Immerse yourself in the local culture
When talking about Toulouse souvenirs, the first thing to mention is the violet - the symbol of the city. The Toulouse violet variety was introduced to France by Emperor Napoleon III (1808 - 1873) in the 1850s and planted in gardens in the Launaguet region, a northern suburb of the city. Since then, violets have become part of Toulouse's identity, as well as the city's traditional textile and winemaking industries.
Visitors should look for a handkerchief or dress with a violet pattern, a bottle of violet perfume, or even a bottle of Armagnac, which has violet leaves added during the distillation process.
In recent years, the wine regions of Gaillac and Fronton have even come up with a way to candied violet petals. Just a few petals added to a bottle of champagne change the color of the wine and add a new layer of flavor to the drink.
Few places in France are as rugby-loving as the people of Toulouse. The city's Stade Toulousain are Europe's most successful rugby team, having won the European Rugby Cup a record four times. The team's home ground is the Stade Ernest Wallon, but the most important matches are held at the Toulouse stadium. Visitors should not miss the chance to buy tickets to see Stade Toulousain in action and enjoy the electric atmosphere.
For outdoor enthusiasts, a trip along the Canal du Midi - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is a wise choice. The 240km canal connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, and Toulouse is where the canal meets the Garonne River before emptying into the Atlantic. The old-growth forest that runs along both sides of the canal is dotted with hills and small villages, simple yet magical. Visitors can cycle along the canal, or even rent a boat and let the water carry them, thereby finding relaxation in both body and soul.
Festivals take place in Toulouse all year round. Notable ones include the Violet Festival (early February), when the city’s central square is dyed purple by a “sea” of violets. Or the Siestes Électroniques electronic music festival (late June), where many artists from France and abroad show off their talents in the poetic setting of Compans Caffarelli Park. The Toulouse Christmas Market is always one of the busiest markets in France. It is estimated that more than 100 wooden cabins are built in early December every year at the Toulouse Christmas Market to serve visitors from near and far.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/sac-hong-toulouse-693795.html
Comment (0)