What if you knew there was a city in France that is just like its capital but without all the bustle and crowds? Well, Toulouse is that exact place.
This beautiful southern city is the new spot to replace Paris on your bucket list.
Paris saw around 47.5 million visitors last year, while Toulouse only saw 5.2 million, yet the picturesque city has so much to offer that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
Nicknamed “La Ville Rose” (The Pink City) because of the pinkish terracotta bricks that make up its architecture, Toulouse is described “as a city of heritage and a land of adventure.”
Housing The Bascilia of Saint-Sernin, one of the largest Romanesque buildings in the West, the city is full of beautiful architecture to lay eyes on.
Last year, Toulouse was named UNESCO City of Music, which comes as no surprise – the city is full of culture. You’ll find the Theatre du Capitole, home of opera and ballet and one of the greatest international stages for lyrical art.
Of course, being a city of great culture, Toulouse has many museums, including the Museum de Toulouse, one of the most important natural history museums in France.
With more than two million pieces across a 3,000-square metre space, you are bound to be mesmerised by the impressive interactive spaces it has.
But what makes the city really worth ditching Paris for is simply the beauty of it, enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Garonne River or the Canal du Midi.
Built in the 17th century, the Canal du Midi bypasses Toulouse’s city centre, linking it to the Mediterranean Sea. It was considered one of the greatest construction works of its century and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
The city also has so many beautiful parks that are perfect to just sit and relax, while taking in the Toulouse beauty.