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Basilica of Saint-Sernin -

Largely completed by 1120, the Basilica Saint-Sernin is the largest Romanesque building in the world, and one of the great architectural wonders of France.

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UNESCO classified -

Noted for the quality and quantity of its Romanesque sculpture—stunning architectural features especially visible on the bell tower and two doorways, the Porte des Comtes and the Porte Miègeville—the basilica is a well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Canal du Midi -

The Canal du Midi, a 240-km (150 mi-) long canal in Southern France that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea, runs through Toulouse.

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World Heritage Site -

The canal skirts the city center and affords residents and visitors alike with opportunities to take to the water on sightseeing tours, or depart on a longer voyage. The canal was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

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Capitole de Toulouse -

Toulouse's 18th-century Capitole, or city hall, fronts an enormous square known for the Occitan cross, a symbol of Occitania, inlaid on the ground. The Capitole houses the Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse opera company and the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.

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Toulouse Cathedral -

Another outstanding ecclesiastical highlight is Toulouse Cathedral, in fact the result of two incomplete churches that lends the facade an odd, irregular perspective. The beautiful rose window dates back to 1230.

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Church of the Jacobins -

Spare some time to explore the 13th-century Church of the Jacobins. Its solid and rather imposing exterior belies an interior of extraordinary beauty.

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Vaulted interior -

The church vault is a lofty 28 m (91 ft) in height. A series of slender columns  support a Gothic vaulted roof, the ribs of which radiate outwards to resemble a series of huge stone palm trees.

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Hôtel d'Assézat -

Toulouse is blessed with over 50 hôtels particuliers—private mansions built for the city's nobles and aristocrats during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Hôtel d'Assézat stands as one of the finest. Built in 1555, it's now home to the Foundation Bemberg, which owns an enviable collection of paintings, sculptures, and period furniture.

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Hôtel du Vieux-Raisin -

It's also worth admiring the Hôtel du Vieux-Raisin, a private mansion built for a nobleman in 1516 and especially noted for its decorative stone windows of sculptured human and hybrid figures.

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Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques -

The former hospital building of Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques stands as Toulouse's third UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 18th century, the hospital, sited on the banks of the Garonne river near the historic Pont-Neuf bridge, was listed as such because of its significance to the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.

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Pont-Neuf Bridge -

Spanning the Garonne river to connect Place du Pont-Neuf to the Rue de la République, the city's landmark bridge took almost a century to construct (1545-1632).

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Musée des Augustins -

Lovers of fine art could spend half a day browsing the collection of sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century displayed here. Standout woks include those by Delacroix, Courbet, Monet, and Toulouse-Lautrec. The building, a former Augustinian monastery, is worth lingering in for the delightful 14th-century cloister.

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Serene monastery -

The museum seen from the air. The cloister is clearly visible, an ideal retreat from the city's hustle and bustle.

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Serta Tower -

The Toulouse skyline is punctuated by around 50 mostly medieval towers of extraordinary architectural merit. Remember to look up from your walk every so often to spy highlights like this, the early 16th-century Serta Tower.

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Notre-Dame-de-la-Dalbade -

Similarly, glance up on occasion and let your eyes fall on treasures like this, the Renaissance portal of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Dalbade church with its superb tympanum made of colored ceramic, created in 1878 by the famous local ceramist Gaston Virebent.

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Musée Saint-Raymond -

Toulouse was founded by the Romans, and vestiges of their rule can be admired in this engaging museum. Highlights include fragments of a 4th–5th-century mosaic featuring leaping dolphins. And find time to visit the necropolis in the basement too!

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Cité de l’Espace -

Toulouse is the center of the European aerospace industry, a fact exemplified by the exciting Space City Museum, located on the outskirts of the city. This is where to bring the kids to try out the moon-running simulator and to admire full-size replicas of the Mir space station and a Ariane 5 space rocket.

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Place du Capitole -

Place du Capitole serves as the beating heart of Toulouse, and is lined with dozens of bars, cafés, and restaurants. It's the perfect place to unwind after a busy day sightseeing.

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Regional cuisine -

The Occitanie region of France tempts palates with its own delicious and distinctive gastronomy. A dish to savor is cassoulet, a slow-cooked casserole containing meat (typically pork sausage, goose, and duck) and white beans. It's named for its traditional cooking vessel, the casserole, a deep, round, earthenware pot with slanting sides.

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Confit de canard -

Toulouse is celebrated for its duck confit. Here they use all parts of the bird and salt-cure the ingredients before cooking in the meat's fat. The dish is often served with potato gratin and mushroom sauce.

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Saucisse de Toulouse -

Usually included with cassoulet, the famous Toulouse sausage can also be sampled and savored as a grilled treat with roast potatoes or French fries. It's pretty good plated braised as well, with fresh, lightly cooked vegetables.

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Garbure -

For a rich, hearty belly-filler on the go, settle for a bowl of garbure, a typical soup that mixes all sorts of meats and vegetables and is seasoned with fresh herbs. This is a great winter-warmer option.

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Tarte aux noix -

A scrumptious dessert option, nut pie Toulouse style is often made using pecan. Trouble is it's so tasty you'll probably find yourself stopping for a slice with ice-cream and coffee at any time of day.

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City of violets -

Toulouse is known as the city of violets, the destination famed as it is for this radiant and fragrant bloom. In fact, violets have been cultivated in Toulouse since the 1850s and can be drunk as a liquor, eaten as jam (pictured), or crystallized to dissolve in Champagne. A symbol of the city's gastronomy, the flower is celebrated with the annual Fête de la Violette.

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Cachou -

Looking for an unusual souvenir? How about a tin of cachou ("black licorice")? It's been made in Toulouse since 1880, initially for medicinal purposes. Today, it's taken as an aromatic breath freshener. Vintage cachou tins are now collector's items.

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Gaillac wines -

You'll no doubt be served wine with your meal, so ask for a bottle from the historic Gaillac wine region, which is located northeast of Toulouse and is one of France's oldest viticultural areas, established in Roman times.

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Albi -

A rewarding excursion option out of Toulouse is a day trip to Albi, a town located 85 km (52 mi) northeast of the city. On the way, you can stop off at a winery and stock up on the aforementioned Galliac wine. Albi is famous for its magnificent Sainte-Cécile cathedral, which lies within a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site.

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Musée Toulouse-Lautrec -

And while in Albi, be sure to visit the Toulouse-Lautrec museum, dedicated mainly to the work of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901), who was born in Albi.

Sources: (UNESCO World Heritage Centre) (Airbus) (Wine-Searcher)

See also: How to fit in with the French

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