With its shimmery Eiffel Tower, grandiose Haussmann boulevards, and plethora of museums and palaces, it’s truly no wonder Paris is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Unfortunately for most visitors, it’s far from being the idyllic, romantic getaway they’ve idealized for years:
Picture overwhelming crowds occupying every single inch of Champs de Mars, the famous park facing the Eiffel Tower, impatient waiters who will roll their eyes internally at your attempts at practicing French, and long wait lines at basically every boulangerie in the historic center.
Little do they know there is a far more peaceful, affordable alternative to Paris, also known for its beautiful architecture. Tourists may well flock to the capital for a taste of La Vie en Rose, but this smaller city in the south of France is precisely dubbed La Ville Rose.
‘Je vois La Vill-e (en) Rose…’
Dubbed by L’Opinion as one of France’s top destinations this year, Toulouse is a charming city straddling the banks of the fast-flowing Garonne River.
Whereas the Seine riverfront in Paris is known for its row of fin de siecle buildings, the Garonne is backed by terracotta-bricked edifices that typically glow a rose-tinged golden during sunset hours. This phenomenon has given Toulouse its nickname ‘The Pink City’.
The river itself is spanned by a string of photogenic bridges, most notably Pont Neuf, a 16th-century crossing built in stone, linking the downtown area, where most of the cultural attractions are, to the suburb of Saint-Cyprien.
Oh, and unlike in Paris, you don’t need to map out landmarks that are several-metro-stops apart, nor worry too much about logistics: most of Toulouse can be explored on foot.
A Picture-Perfect Old Town
Pont Neuf is usually a good starting point for exploring Toulouse, as it’s right in the heart of the city. From there, it’s a short 15-minute walk to Place du Capitole, the main square of the Old Town, and the perfect spot for grabbing a croissant, sitting on a terrace, and people-watching.
Right on the main square, you’ll also find the Capitole itself, the one grand building around hosting both the City Hall and a theater. A lot is said about the chandelier-lit rooms of Palais Garnier in Paris, but in our book, the beautifully frescoed Salle des Illustres inside Toulouse’s Capitole is just as stunning.
In the vicinity of the square, make sure you visit the Basilique Saint-Sernin, an imposing Romanesque church that preceded Gothic architecture, and it’s considered the largest surviving one of its kind in Europe. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nearby, the Couvent des Jacobins is yet another must-see: a historic monastery dating back to the Middle Ages, it was built in classic Toulousain fashion. Yep, with the same red bricks that flank the cobbled alleys that surround it.
UNESCO-Protected Monuments Galore
On the north side of the river, in Saint-Cyprien, you’ll see the Saint-Nicolas Church, a minor Gothic-style church with a starry vaulted ceiling, and Les Abattoirs, the city’s museum of modern & contemporary art.
This part of town is much more chilled than the Old Town proper, complete with verdant parks, such as Prairie des Filtres, and quaint riverside walks along the Garonne. Come spring, the grass will be filled with locals having picnics under the sun.
For the history buffs out there, there are as many noteworthy sites on this side of Toulouse as the city center: for instance, Saint-Cyprien is host to Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques, a medieval hospital that’s also inscribed as a World Heritage Site due to its impressive scale and state of preservation.
Irrespective of left or right, no visit to Toulouse is complete without a biking tour down Canal du Midi, a UNESCO-protected canal considered an extraordinary feat of engineering of the 17th century, connecting the Atlantic to the Mediterranean to facilitate trade, and running right through Toulouse.
Toulouse Is 40% Cheaper Than Paris
Other than its architecture and medieval heritage, Toulouse is a cheaper destination than Paris. That doesn’t mean it’s Albania-cheap, either, but if you’re worried a long weekend in the City of Lights will drain your wallet, the Pink City is a much safer bet.
In general, restaurant outings cost about the same, but hotels and secondary expenses are where the big difference lies:
On average, a 3-night séjour in Paris could set you back by $870 (2 adults), whereas in Toulouse, the cost averages $500. To summarize, Toulouse is approximately 40% cheaper than Paris, as per data provided by Numbeo.
Looking for other incredible cities in France that are yet to be spoiled by mass tourism, and that won’t break the bank? Try these 3 lesser-known medieval gems.
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