A visitors guide to Toulouse, France

The Place du Capitole is the center and heart of Toulouse, but it seems the center of the world, as well. The elegant Capitole building overlooks a huge square that seems to capture all of the vibrant elegance that is Toulouse. The Capitole houses city hall and glows through the day and night with the typical pink stone of Toulouse architecture, the stone that inspires the city’s nickname, “La Ville Rose”, the pink city.

Wonderfully located between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic in the South of France, Toulouse mixes the charm of France with the lively traditions of nearby Spain. Pick your seat at a sidewalk restaurant, one of the many that surround the square, and enjoy your genuine, fresh Sangria, while you watch residents and visitors enjoy the aura of Toulouse.

The fourth largest city of France, Toulouse has managed to revere the past, while galloping toward the future. Home to no less than three major universities, the city has a lively student populace with the potpourri of cultural and educational events that accompany university life. Opera and theatre are favorites, and across Place du Capitole, daily markets yield to concerts in the evening air and festivals throughout the year.

The city’s charm weaves well beyond the popular center through beautiful parks and along the banks of the Garonne River, where the Toulouse Croisires offer Parisian-style cruises along the water. Quai de la Daurade.

Home to Airbus and “father” of the Concorde, Toulouse is proud to be a major European aerospace center and showcases that pride with an all-inclusive science-air-space museum. Located at the eastern edge of the city, La Cite de l’Espace has full-scale models of the Ariane 5 rocket and the Mir Space Station as well as two large planetariums and an interesting range of exhibits that trace the history of air and space travel.

If sticking to the cityscape is your desire, you might try the intimately gracious “Le Clos des Potiers/ hotel. Located in the historic quarter of old townhouses and mansions, the petite hotel offers genteel rooms with baths starting at 100 Euros

We had planned in advance to temper the excitement of city with the quiet of nearby countryside in the village of Ayguesvives. . The serene, enclosed garden at “La Pradasse/ welcomed us to the most surprising Chambres d’Hote we had experienced. For under 90 Euros a night, we enjoyed our oversized bed and bath overlooking the garden and our own outdoor table and chairs. Fresh fruits, breads and coffee greeted us for morning breakfast in a stunning room with much of the proprietor’s personally designed and created wrought iron pieces.

In fact we were so comfortable, we stayed an extra night to enjoy the large garden pool and explore the surrounding villages and countryside. Our hosts actually served as very personal representatives of a city and an area that welcomes visitors with quiet pride and ever so much grace.