Around town (map of Toulouse)
The centre of Toulouse can be divided into four parts, with Rue de Metz & Rue Alsace-Lorraine separating them.
I've colour coded the map below in order to give you a quick idea of what's what and where's where. If you click on the map, you'll be able access a more detailed version of it.
RED: This is definitely the posh side of down, and if spending all your money in shops like Hermès is your idea of fun then you're in the right place. The area has three main squares: Place Saint George; Place Wilson & Place Victor Hugo. Victor Hugo has an excellent food market, open from early in the morning 'til lunch time all week (except Mondays) and, for a taste of life à la française is well worth a visit. Place Wilson has just been done up and is worth walking through - for the rugby fans there'a a Serge Blanco "15" clothes shop in the square. Place Saint George is a beautiful, calm square, ideal for an afternoon drink in one of it's many terrace cafés. The plat du jour is always tasty in the Mont-Martre Brasserie.
GREEN: The posh shops of the Saint George area spill out into the northern part of this area. But as you venture South you'll quickly dicover that it is a far cry from the busy shopping area. The Saint Etienne Cathedral (n°4 on the map) gives its name to the quartier and its streets are full of art shops and antiques dealers. If you continue South through the labyrinth of old streets you'll eventually find yourselves in the parks of Jardin des Plantes and le Grand Rond - which are both well worth a look.
YELLOW: Place du Capitole (n°3 on the map) is what every French person thinks of when they think of Toulouse - if the town is in the news, then this is where the reporter reports from. The square is dominated by the regal looking town hall, le Capitole. North of Place du Capitole is the 1000 year old Basilica of Saint Sernin (n°2 on the map). The Rue du Taur that leads there is so called because Saint Sernin was dragged down it by a bull ... charming. Shopping-wise, the area is more studenty than the two other areas described so far - plenty of skate shops, vinyl outlets and a clutter of music/instrument shops down towards the river. The main student watering hole is at Place Saint Pierre. However, those not feeling studenty should not be put off as Place de la Daurade offers a relaxing drink en terrace at the Café des Artistes, with a beatiful view over the Garonne. A walk along the banks of the Garonne is a must.
BLUE: Les Carmes is one of my favorite parts of town. We used to live beside the Place des Carmes and the quartier has a real village feel to it. A morning coffee and croissant at le Bar du Matin whilst looking at the green grocers setting up their stalls in Place des Carmes ... lovely. There's also a very nice apéro/bar/café in the little square at the junction of Rue des Paradoux and Rue du Coq d'Inde.
PINK: Due to the fact that it is less elevated than the right-bank of the Garonne, Saint Cyprien was traditionally the poor side of town. There's a lovely river side park over looking Toulouse's red brick quays - La Prairie des Filtres. Toulouse's modern art museum, les Abattoirs, is housed in what used to be the town's slaughterhouse. Beside it you can see the remains of the old city walls in the Raymond IV gardens (beside n°7 on the map).
I've colour coded the map below in order to give you a quick idea of what's what and where's where. If you click on the map, you'll be able access a more detailed version of it.
RED: This is definitely the posh side of down, and if spending all your money in shops like Hermès is your idea of fun then you're in the right place. The area has three main squares: Place Saint George; Place Wilson & Place Victor Hugo. Victor Hugo has an excellent food market, open from early in the morning 'til lunch time all week (except Mondays) and, for a taste of life à la française is well worth a visit. Place Wilson has just been done up and is worth walking through - for the rugby fans there'a a Serge Blanco "15" clothes shop in the square. Place Saint George is a beautiful, calm square, ideal for an afternoon drink in one of it's many terrace cafés. The plat du jour is always tasty in the Mont-Martre Brasserie.
GREEN: The posh shops of the Saint George area spill out into the northern part of this area. But as you venture South you'll quickly dicover that it is a far cry from the busy shopping area. The Saint Etienne Cathedral (n°4 on the map) gives its name to the quartier and its streets are full of art shops and antiques dealers. If you continue South through the labyrinth of old streets you'll eventually find yourselves in the parks of Jardin des Plantes and le Grand Rond - which are both well worth a look.
YELLOW: Place du Capitole (n°3 on the map) is what every French person thinks of when they think of Toulouse - if the town is in the news, then this is where the reporter reports from. The square is dominated by the regal looking town hall, le Capitole. North of Place du Capitole is the 1000 year old Basilica of Saint Sernin (n°2 on the map). The Rue du Taur that leads there is so called because Saint Sernin was dragged down it by a bull ... charming. Shopping-wise, the area is more studenty than the two other areas described so far - plenty of skate shops, vinyl outlets and a clutter of music/instrument shops down towards the river. The main student watering hole is at Place Saint Pierre. However, those not feeling studenty should not be put off as Place de la Daurade offers a relaxing drink en terrace at the Café des Artistes, with a beatiful view over the Garonne. A walk along the banks of the Garonne is a must.
BLUE: Les Carmes is one of my favorite parts of town. We used to live beside the Place des Carmes and the quartier has a real village feel to it. A morning coffee and croissant at le Bar du Matin whilst looking at the green grocers setting up their stalls in Place des Carmes ... lovely. There's also a very nice apéro/bar/café in the little square at the junction of Rue des Paradoux and Rue du Coq d'Inde.
PINK: Due to the fact that it is less elevated than the right-bank of the Garonne, Saint Cyprien was traditionally the poor side of town. There's a lovely river side park over looking Toulouse's red brick quays - La Prairie des Filtres. Toulouse's modern art museum, les Abattoirs, is housed in what used to be the town's slaughterhouse. Beside it you can see the remains of the old city walls in the Raymond IV gardens (beside n°7 on the map).
