Day 1 in Toulouse

Welcome to Toulouse! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Begin the afternoon in Place du Capitol, the busy central square where you`ll also find the splendid town hall, as well as the main Tourist Office. Stop in the town hall for a tour to gaze at the frescoes on the ceiling of the Salle des Illustres, and the heartwarming images in the Salle Gervais, where the 19th-century artist painted allegories of love, as this was the town hall`s wedding chamber.

Enjoy some lunch in the bustling Place du Capitol square and take in the ambiance. Afterward, we recommend that you get acquainted with the city by choosing an optional tour such as `Toulouse Bus Tour`, to get a flavor of this picturesque Pink City and capital of the Midi-Pyrénées.

As evening approaches, grab a table outside at one of the atmospheric restaurants on the Garonne River. Enjoy some traditional cassoulet with a glass of robust red wine from the local vineyards.

Day 2 in Toulouse

Wake up and head over to Basilique Saint-Sernin. Completed in 1100`s, the UNESCO-listed Saint Sernin Basilica as the largest remaining Romanesque building in Europe. You`ll also find a large number of relics in the crypt, more than in any other church in France, and many were donated by Charlemagne to the Abbey which stood on this site in the 800`s. To stay relevant with modern pilgrims and visitors, the Basilica presents interesting rotating exhibits of contemporary religious art.

Just next to the Saint-Sernin Basilica`s, stop in to discover Toulouse`s Archaeological Museum, Musee Saint-Raymond. The museum building itself warrants your attention; built in 1523, it was a school for poorer students at the University of Toulouse. The exhibits run from prehistory up to the year 1000 and offers a host of Mediterranean civilizations. A highlight of the museum is the gallery of Roman sculptures, including mythological works and Roman portraits found at the Villa Chiragan. Make sure to visit the Garden of Antiquities, designed to evoke a classical Roman landscape.The garden has a café with terrace seating and visitors are welcome to stroll about the gardens.

In the afternoon take a cruise along the Garonne River and its offshoot canals. This offers the perfect vantage point to get the lay of the land as it passes by some of Toulouse`s most photogenic monuments, including the L`Hotel-Dieu Saint-Jacques and the solemn dome of the Hopitalde La Grave. This is the only way to truly appreciate Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in the city, constructed in the 1500`s. The cruise will also show you the Port de l`Embouchure, which is the historic intersection between the Garonne, the Canal du Midi and the smaller Canal du Brienne.

End your day enjoying the streets of Toulouse; the bright facades, picturesque bicycles, and stunning doors with fine carvery - so many things to admire. Make sure you walk through: rue de Taur, rue Saint-Rome, rue de Filatier, rue Ninaud. As well as all others around Saint-Etienne Cathedral and placede la Bourse. Enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the many local restaurants of the area while stopping in the intriguing quaint shops to browse.

Day 3 in Toulouse

Begin your day in the streets of Old Town. Take in the pristinely clean cobbled streets lined with cute cafes and pretty facades, a great spot to grab breakfast while enjoying the relaxed morning vibe of the city. If you`re up for a little adventure, take a ride on the Ferris wheel at the Quai de la Daurade on the River Garrone for beautiful 360-degree views of the city.

Continue the day exploring the sights of the Pink City, a destination with so many attractions. Head to the Assezat town-house (Hôtel Assézat), a Renaissance building built in 1555 for Pierre d`Assézat, made with red bricks, the town-house is a great example of Renaissance architecture of Languedoc. Discover the former convent of the Jacobins, a remarkable complex built by the Dominicans at the time of the Cathars in the 13th-century. As Toulouse is the city of science, you may want to explore the expositions devoted to the subject: the most famous are Cité de l’Espace or Aeroscopia where you can see the fastest commercial plane of the planet - the Concorde.

Alternatively, spend the day on the Canal du Midi, originally built as s shortcut between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the canal runs through the city and offers an abundance of leisure activities. Wander the shaded towpath by foot or bike. The path is perfectly flat except the gentle rises of the locks. The canal runs from the city of Toulouse down to the Mediterranean port of Sete near Marseille. Picnic under the trees on the banks and enjoy the relaxing ambiance of nature.

Wind down your day by enjoying the great outdoors in the public gardens of Toulouse. Enjoy the Japanse Garden in Jardin Compans Caffarelli which features exotic trees and shrubs decoratively landscaped as you`d find in the far East. There is even a distinctive Japanese red bridge and tea pavilion to complete the scene. It`s a great place to relax and spend a few hours.

After a packed day of sightseeing, head for place Wilson, a showcase 19th-century square lined with fashionable cafes to enjoy a relaxing dinner.