Toulouse 2025: Don’t Skip These 9 Things (+ Map)
By Sam Lee, 2025. Toulouse has always been a fantastic city, even before Lonely Planet named it the top urban destination for 2025.
Perfect for a long vacation or weekend trip, Toulouse sits in the heart of the Southwest between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a historic and lively university town full of youthful energy. It's also very walkable, making it easy to explore its different neighborhoods.
So, what’s there to see and do in Toulouse? Quite a lot, actually!
Read on for nine unmissable things to do during your trip to Toulouse. All the attractions I mention in this article are in the map below.
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Victor Hugo Market
Explore the Victor Hugo Market and treat yourself to a traditional (and unpretentious) French lunch.
At Toulouse’s Marché Victor Hugo, the oldest indoor market in France (yes, they have indoor markets older than America has been around), stalls are bursting with fresh, seasonal goodies.
Take a leisurely stroll and see what local produce is around – artichokes in spring, strawberries in summer, and root veggies in winter. Head upstairs to one of the small restaurants and enjoy a tasty, budget-friendly lunch at wooden tables. The market's vibrant vibe? Unforgettable.
Travel Tip: If you’re a serious foodie, why not join this Victor Hugo Market small-group tour and learn about wine, cheese, and French bread like a true connoisseur, chat with local vendors, and sample all sorts of local goodies? There are also other really good food tours around Toulouse, including this Food & History Tour and Local Food Walking Tour.
Video by Voyage en Minotaure | Halle de La Machine
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Halle de la Machine
Experience the thrill of riding giant mechanical creatures at Halle de la Machine in Toulouse.
Looking for something fun and quirky to do in Toulouse? You won't find anything crazier than riding one of the mechanical creatures at Halle de la Machine. This spot, a mix of street theater and mechanics, is located on what used to be an airport runway.
Inside the hangar, you’ll find all sorts of mechanical marvels, including a 46-foot-tall Minotaur made of wood and steel, a huge buffalo, and a giant spider (yikes!).
Wondering how to get there? It's about a 25-minute bike ride from Place du Capitole to Halle de la Machine, mostly along the Canal du Midi towpaths, making for an easy trip. You can grab a shared bike from one of the many VélôToulouse stations.
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Toulouse's Pretty Gardens
Chill out in Toulouse’s many beautiful gardens, taking in exotic trees, fancy statues, duck ponds, and (more than a few) picturesque bridges.
Toulouse has some awesome parks and gardens that are perfect for a chill break. You should definitely check out the Japanese Garden, the Royal Garden, and the Botanical Garden.
The Japanese Garden is a peaceful spot with classic Japanese touches like a zen rock garden, a bamboo grove, and a pond with koi fish, plus a pretty bridge.
Take a walk in the Royal Garden (Jardin Royal), where you’ll find exotic trees and cool Le Fabre statues. It’s got an English vibe with a duck pond and a cute bridge.
The Jardin des Plantes, which is Toulouse’s botanical garden, has tons of medicinal plants, fountains, and old buildings that give it a charming, old-school feel.
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Le Capitole
Hang out at Le Capitole, home to Toulouse's opera house and a prime location for stunning sunset selfies.
The Place du Capitole in Toulouse is a popular hangout spot that features an Occitan cross decorated with zodiac signs. This 12-pointed cross, also known as the Languedoc Cross, dates back to the coat of arms of Toulouse from the time of Raymond VI in 1211. Nowadays, it stands for both the city and the Occitanie region.
The ceiling of the Galerue des Arcades on the west side features art by Raymond Moretti that illustrates the city's history. Behind Le Capitole, the old archive tower called the Donjon now serves as the tourist office. The Capitole is also home to Toulouse’s famous opera house.
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Basilica of Saint-Sernin
Discover the vast vaulted main hall and crypt of the 11th-century Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO heritage site.
Dating back to the 11th century (yes, seriously ancient), the Basilica of Saint-Sernin is one of the biggest Romanesque buildings in the Western world. It used to be a popular stop on the Way of St. James and is now a UNESCO heritage site.
Inside, under its eight-sided bell tower, you'll find a massive vaulted main hall and a crypt with many relics. Some of these relics belong to Saint Sernin, a bishop and martyr from the 3rd century, after whom the church is named.
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Jacobins Convent
Experience the Southern Gothic art of the Jacobins Convent.
The Jacobins Convent is a church with two naves covered in painted decor and amazing stained-glass windows, and it holds the remains of Saint Thomas Aquinas—but the part of the church that will wow you the most is the palm tree-shaped ceiling. The building is a gem of Southern Gothic art from the 13th and 14th centuries. The convent's courtyard is a peaceful escape in the city and often hosts concerts and art shows.
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Hôtel d’Assézat
Admire the stunning courtyard with ancient columns and the Renaissance architecture showcased in the stair tower.
During the Renaissance, the city got wealthy from trading pastels and saw the rise of many fancy buildings, like the Hôtel d’Assézat. This place has a stunning courtyard with two fronts featuring ancient columns connected by a stair tower.
The architect, Nicolas Bachelier, worked for a lot of prominent families in Toulouse. In 1895, the building was gifted to the city of Toulouse and now hosts academies and scholarly groups, including the Jeux Floraux, which started back in 1323.
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Canal du Midi
Navigate the stunning canals featuring scenic bridges and historical routes.
Walk, cycle, or boat up the World Heritage Canal du Midi, which links Toulouse and the Mediterranean Sea. But why stop at one? You can explore all the main canals (there are three): The Canal du Midi, the Canal de Brienne, which connects the Garonne River to the Canal du Midi, and the Canal Latéral, which links Toulouse to Castets and Castillon near Bordeaux. The canals meet at Port de l’Embouchure and are crossed by several stunning bridges.
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River Garonne
Get active and discover the beauty of Toulouse's Garonne River.
Some of the best sights in Toulouse are along the Garonne River. Stroll or cycle along the river and enjoy these five attractions.
La Daurade Docks
As the day winds down, everyone comes together to relax on the docks and piers by the river and watch the sunset. These large piers not only shield the right bank of Toulouse from Garonne River floods but also provide a full view of the city's stunning landmarks.
Prairie des Filtres
Back in the 18th century, the left bank, which used to flood a lot, got a makeover. The Cours Dillon, built higher than the Garonne River, acted as a protective wall for the Saint-Cyprien area. Today, it's a public garden with a great view of the Quai de Tounis and the Pont Neuf.
The Pont Neuf
France's oldest bridge over the Garonne started construction back in 1544 but wasn’t completed until 1632. Now, it boasts seven impressive arches made of brick and stone, with hollowed piers to lessen water pressure and withstand the river's strength.
Saint-Joseph de la Grave hospital
Saint-Joseph de la Grave hospital, dating back to the 12th century, took care of the poor, orphans, sex workers, and those with mental illnesses, along with plague victims. You can spot its distinctive round chapel, topped with a copper dome and a small tower.
Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques
Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques has an impressive brick front that is reflected in the Garonne River. Back in the day, this hospital took care of the poor and fed pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela, who stopped to pray at Saint-Sernin.
That’s a wrap!
What do you think? Toulouse has always been an amazing city, even before Lonely Planet decided to give it a fancy title. It’s perfect for short and long city escapes, with loads of things to do. I hope you found my nine top things to do in Toulouse helpful for planning your trip. Happy travels!
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