Embark on 5 Extraordinary Toulouse Adventures in France’s Gem

When you think of southern France, most would imagine the beautiful beaches and resorts of the French Riviera. But did you know there is so much more in this fantastic region? In particular, the beautiful city of Toulouse is the capital of the southwest area of France. Toulouse is a fascinating mix of old and new.

Toulouse, known, among other things, as the capital of the southwestern region in France, sits on the banks of the famous Garonne River and serves as the headquarters for European space research. Countless churches, museums, and gardens make Toulouse an incredible city. Read our list to discover the best things to do and see in Toulouse.

Basilica of Saint Sernin

This historic church is only a 5-minute walk from the town square and is worth visiting. If the church is vacant, take a guided tour to learn all about the fascinating stories while getting a glimpse of the grounds, or attend a church service and hear the organs play.

The Saint-Sernin Basilica is one of the most glorious churches on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain and an excellent example of Romanesque art. This exquisite church, built in the 11th to 13th centuries, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fine Arts Museum

In a magnificent building formerly an Augustinian monastery, the Muse des Augustins shows around a collection of paintings and sculptures. The collection of photographs depicts works from the Renaissance to the 20th century. In contrast, the sculpture collection includes Romanesque works from the modern era, with exceptionally splendid works from the late Middle Ages.

The monastery church today shows a collection of paintings from the 15th to 17th centuries; Highlights include paintings by Pietro Perugino, Peter Paul Rubens, and Nicolas Tournier. The collection from the 17th to 19th centuries is also noteworthy, especially for the paintings by Eugene Delacroix, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and Jean-Paul Laurens.

Musée Saint-Raymond

Opposite the Basilique Saint-Sernin, the Musée Saint-Raymond has a beautiful collection of archaeological finds and antiques. The collection includes archaeological finds from prehistoric times and antiques from Roman times and the early Middle Ages.

A highlight of the museum is the gallery of Roman sculptures, including mythological works and Roman portraits found in the Villa Chiragan. This remarkable collection is on par with the Louvre antiques. The garden is planted with laurels, cypresses, vines, and olive trees and is said to be reminiscent of a classic Roman landscape.

Couvent Des Jacobins

A fine example of southern Gothic architecture, the Couvent des Jacobins was founded in the 13th century as a Dominican monastery. The monastery, built between 1260 and 1292, was built entirely from the red bricks of Toulouse and has a tower similar to that of the Basilique Saint-Sernin.

Inside the monastery church, the two-aisled nave has an inspiring vault, with the famous palm-shaped ribs radiating from seven central pillars in the choir. A chapel is dedicated to Saint Antonin and decorated with 14th-century wall paintings. The church also has relics of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Pont Neuf

Pont Neuf Toulouse is the name of a famous bridge that spans the Garonne River. Key features of the bridge include a series of arches that add visual appeal. Anyone looking for activities in Toulouse is encouraged to consider strolling through the historic building with beautiful city views. Work on the Pont Neuf Toulouse began in 1544.

It was not until 1614 that the first Pont Neuf arch was completed. 1632, all seven arches were completed, and the bridge was officially inaugurated in 1659. Interestingly, Pont Neuf’s name is translated into New Bridge in English. If you look at Pont Neuf, visitors will likely find that the seven arches of this historic Toulouse bridge are not symmetrical.