TOULOUSE FAQ`S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

The Toulouse International Airport is located in the city`s northwestern suburbs about 6 and ¾ miles from the center. If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options including taxi, shuttle bus, metro and rental cars.

The airport is linked to the city`s metro network, a single ticket costs about €1.60. When taking the metro from Toulouse Airport, take tram line T2 outside the airport then you will change to the red line at Arenes station for the red A line to central Toulose (Capital) or Matabiau (the main train station).

Alternatively, the `Shuttle Bus` links the airport with central Toulouse for around €8 one way or about €15 return to either the main bus and train station, or the Jean Jaures or Jeanne D`Arc metro station in the city center. From the airport, shuttle buses depart next to the metro stop. Tickets can be purchased at the desk in the airport or from the driver. The service runs every 20 minutes from 5 am to 9:20 pm from town, and from 5:30 am to 12:15 am from the airport. The journey takes between 20 to 30 minutes. The ticket is also valid for transfers onto other public city buses with 90 minutes of validation.

A Taxi is another option, but can be pricey, costing between €22 and €45, depending on the time of day, number of bags and the distance you`re travelling.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

Toulon Train Station Address: 64 Boulevard Pierre Sémard, 35203 31 079 Toulouse, France. The Toulouse Train Station, also known as the Gare Toulouse Matabiau, is the main train station serving the Midi-Pyrénées area of France.

Toulouse is served by frequent fast TGVs, which run west to Montauban, Agen and Bordeaux (which has connections to Bayonne and the southwest, plus Paris), and east to Carcassonne, Narbonne, Montpellier and beyond.

Trains using this station:
TGV
IC
TER
France - Spain High Speed Train

Located near the center of Toulouse (just .6 miles), this station is conveniently connected to the Toulouse bus and metro system.

You can also walk from the station to the city center which is about a 15 minute walk southeast from the station.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

There are taxi ranks in the Place du Capitole, Place Wilson, Matabiau SNCF railway station and Toulouse-Blagnac airport.

Capitole Taxi is the only licensed taxi operator and it often has poor service. If you want to get back to your hotel after the buses have stopped, you need to pre-book a taxi or be prepared for a wait which could be over an hour.

Is Toulouse a walking city?

Walking is the best way to get around and explore. Toulouse is big, but the historical center (downtown) is small enough that you can walk to most destinations in the inner city quite easily.

How do I get around Carcassonne using public transportation?

Toulouse has the most efficient public transportation system of any city in southwestern France. The heart of the city, the historic core of most interest to visitors, is served by a modern and efficient Metro (subway) system operated by TISSEO (www.tisseo-urbain.fr). TISSEO operates a network of bus, tramway and metro.

The metro is relatively small, there are two lines, one going east-west (line A), and the other going north-south (B), but is modern and easy-to-use. The service operates daily from 5 am to midnight (until 3 am Fri-Sat), and tickets and maps are available at ticket booths. The average Metro fare is about €1.40 per ticket. The most useful stops, which are within walking distance of all the main attractions, are Capitole, Jean Jaurès, and Esquirole.

When purchasing tramway tickets at vending machines, which are easily located at every tramway stop, keep in mind that ticket dispensers might not always accept non-French credit cards, so have enough coins to hand just in case (banknotes aren`t accepted either, and change is hardly available even at the central metro stations). A one-day ticket costs about €6.00.

A free electric shuttle bus circles the historic center of the city throughout the day on all days except Sunday, every 10 minutes, from 9 am to 7 pm. These buses are usually red and white and don`t have set stops, so if you see one, flag it down. They are known as the Navette Centre Ville Gratuite.

Buses: More than 84 bus services are at your disposal. The bus station is located at 68 - 70 bld. Pierre Sèmard. For information on bus routes, call tel. 05-61-61-67-67.

Night service:

From 9:30 pm to 3 am on Friday and Saturday and from 9:30 pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday the following lines run at night:
Metro lines A and B.

From 9:30 pm to 1 am on Friday and Saturday and from 9:30 pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday the following lines run at night:
Tram lines T1 and T2
Bus lines L1, L2, 10, 12, 22, 38, 44, 78, 79,81, and 88
TAD 106 119 and 120

I will have a car in Toulouse, where can I park?

Driving in Toulouse is not suggested, especially downtown. Parking can be difficult and limited. One good option is to drive to a metro station just outside of the center and park there, then go downtown by metro. Some hotels have private garages for an extra charge, or offer discounted rates at city car parks. Otherwise, plan to be paying an expensive fee to park on the street (usually with an upper limit of two hours, but it is free from noon to 2 pm and on Sundays). Parking usually will cost between €15 and €26 for a full day, depending on which car park you choose.

There are nearly 9,000 parking spaces in the city`s various parking facilities. Most of these facilities are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1 - PLACE D`EUROPE - Place de l`Europe - 31000 Toulouse
2 - ARNAUD BERNARD - Place Arnaud Bernard - 31000 Toulouse
3 - CAPITOLE - Place du Capitole - 31000 Toulouse
4 - VICTOR HUGO - place Victor Hugo -31000 Toulouse
5 - JEAN JAURES - ll AlleeJean Jaurès - 31000 Toulouse
6 - St-GEORGES - 51, Rue du Rempart/St-Etienne - 31000 Toulouse
7 - STAUBIN - Place Saint Aubin - 31000 Toulouse
8 - CARNOT - Boulevard Carnot - 31000 Toulouse
9 - SAINT ETIENNE - Place Saint-Etienne - 31000 Toulouse
10 - ESQUIROL - 14, Place Esquirol - 31000 Toulouse
11 - CARMES - Place des Carmes - 31000 Toulouse
12 - SAINT MICHEL - Allée Paul Feuga - 31000 Toulouse
13 - SAINT CYPRIEN - 11, Place Jean Diebold - 31300 Toulouse

How do I get around by bike?

Rent a bike from any one of the various Velo Toulouse (www.velo.toulouse.fr) bike stations. Bike rental is about €1.20 by credit card, or about €5 for a week, plus a €150 credit-card deposit. For one-to seven-day bike hire, you`ll just need a chip-and-pin card.

The tourist office provides maps of cycle lanes and cycle tours of the city. There are more than 311 miles of cycling paths.

Is Toulouse a dangerous city? Are there any areas I should avoid?

Like most of France, Toulouse is a very safe city, and you are unlikely to encounter any problems. Nevertheless, it is always wise to keep a close eye on your belongings and your surroundings.

Not unlike other cities, the train station is a hotbed for scam artists. Be aware of Pickpockets that are known to snatch purses and cameras from unsuspected tourists in Toulouse. All it takes is a few seconds of distraction and your valuables are gone. Because pickpockets are common in Toulouse, keep photocopies of your passport and other identification in your luggage in your hotel. That way, if you do lose your identification, you will be able to replace it more easily.

Be very careful when walking at night in Toulouse, as this is when more serious crimes take place. Often thieves will travel in gangs at night. If you do go out at night, stay in groups and avoid the outskirts and northern parts of town, where gangs tend to congregate. It is not uncommon for people to be robbed, so it`s best to stay out of these areas altogether. Also, in recent years, the number of beggars has tended to rise, simply just ignore them.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Carcassonne is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted.

We recommend that you exchange a small amount of cash prior to your tip, enough for a cab ride or basic spending on arrival. It is also useful to remind your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling to make sure your cards will work while in France. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.

Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

In Toulouse like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.

For more information about tipping visit:

Tipping in France

What is the weather like?

Toulouse enjoys a temperate climate, with continental, oceanic and Mediterranean influences. Summers (June to September) are the driest months; July is the hottest month with an average temperature of around 72°F. Winters (December to March) are relatively mild, with the coldest month being January at around 42°F. The wettest month is March.

I don`t speak French. Will many people speak English?

French is the official language spoken in Toulouse however, being that this is also a tourist region, and you will find the staff at most tourism-related venues (hotels, restaurants) speak some words of English. Or they have at least one person in the place that does. We suggest you get a good English-French guide book and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What is the food like?

The Toulouse region has many culinary specialties and wonderful foodie treats, some of the favorites and most traditional are listed below:

Cassoulet which is a rich white bean stew, slow-cooked containing meat (typically pork sausages, goose, duck and sometimes mutton), pork skin (couennes) and white beans (haricots blancs). It is rich and filling and usually served simply with grated cheeses and a glass of robust red wine from the local vineyards. You`ll find that every restaurant has their own special `secret` recipe.

Toulouse sausages are found all around Toulouse, fried or braized as a meal in themselves. The sausage is only sold in and around Toulouse area, made from port and smoked bacon flavored with garlic and wine they taste about as French as a sausage can get!

Duck and goose are another traditional cuisine you`ll find throughout the area. Pan-fried duck breast, roast goose or confit duck let it comes in all different ways. Foie grasis another specialty - these livers from the specially bred birds are often made into delicious, rich, smooth terrines or pates.

And for dessert….the pastries and chocolates here are everywhere. Specialties of the area include crisp, caramelized almond biscuits called `croquants,` `Caraque` a green chocolate tart and Fenetra a decadent cake made with marzipan, meringue and candied lemon.

What are the best areas for shopping?

A favorite to shop for in Toulouse is food: jars of cassoulet, tins of foie gras and plenty of wine. After that, traditional products include violet-flavored sweets and clothes dyed using a blue plant called pastel. As a university town, Toulouse has plenty of edgy fashion shops and as a leader of French culture, you will find many boutiques.

The area behind and around Capitole to Esquirol is the main shopping thoroughfare in Toulouse. Notable streets:

Rue d`Alsace Lorraine - A wide, long street filled with endless stores. Monoprix and one of the Zara`s are located here. This is where you`ll find lots of housewares and clothing.

Rue Saint Rome - The main shopping street in Toulouse. The stores are cheaper than the others in this area, but they are lower quality.

Rue de la Pomme - Offers chic boutiques and exclusive labels.

Croix-Baragnon and rue des Arts - Upscale boutiques.

Rue du Taur - Alternative fashion.

Rue de Metz - This street has bigger department stores and also non-clothing stores.

Rue Fermat - Antiques

Place St Etienne - The most upscale shopping in Toulouse is here, such as Louis Vuitton, Long champ, Christian Lacroix, Montblanc and multiple jewelers.

The area around Carmes is a good place for a unique shopping trip.There are many smaller boutiques scattered around in this area.

Markets: Place du Capitole has open-air markets with themes that range from organic vegetables to the latest indie-grunge look.

Victor Hugo Market, Place Victor Hugo, is the largest covered food market in southwest France. Taste local delicacies such as saucisse de Toulouse (Toulouse sausage), cassoulet, foie gras, magret de canard (duck breast) and confit de canard (duck stored in its own fat). The cheese counters stock hundreds of varieties of delicious local cheese.

Shopping centers: Galeries Lafayette shopping center at 77 rue Alsace Lorraine and shopping mall, the Centre Commercial St-Georges, rue du Rempart St-Etienne.

Opening hours: Standard shopping hours in Toulouse are Monday to Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm although many smaller shops close on Mondays, Wednesdays afternoons and between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm for lunch.

Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services. If you are not an EU resident, you may be able to reclaim VAT.

What is the nightlife like in Toulouse?

Toulouse`s nightlife offers variety and originality for all to enjoy. From pubs to clubs and cocktail bars to theater, dance, opera and concert halls, you can drink, dance sing and be entertained all around town. The city`s student population puts life into nightlife around the city with an almost unbelievable number of bars. Place St Pierre, at the end of the St Pierre Bridge, is lined with popular bars, many of which get lively in the afternoon.

Toulouse`s theater, dance and opera choices are comparable to that of the Paris scene. The city`s most notable theaters are the Theater du Capitole, place du Capitole, which specialized in opera, operettas, and works from the classical French repertoire; the Theatre de la Digue (www.ladigue.org), for ballets and works by local theater companies; and the Hall aux Grains, the home of the Orchestra due Capitole and a venue for classical concerts.

What are the festival, holidays and other annual events?

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Toulouse each year. The main ones are listed below:

January 1: New Year`s Day (national holiday)

May 1: LaborDay (national holiday)
On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. On this day, sellers can be found on almost every corner!

June 21: Fête dela Musique (celebrated nationwide)

Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues across Toulouse.

July 14: Bastille Day (national holiday)
This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Toulouse, evening festivities include a concert at Prairie des Filtres and fireworks set off from barges floating on the Garonne.

August 15: Assumption Day (national holiday)
This celebration, still very popular in Toulouse, is marked by several religious ceremonies.

Third weekend in September: European Heritage Days (celebrated nationwide)
The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

November 28 - December 26: Christmas Market (local event)
A traditional Christmas market is held in the Place du Capitole. Its welcoming log chalets all offer original gift ideas. An event not to be missed!

December 25: Christmas (national holiday)

What is the Toulouse Tourism Pass?

The Toulouse Pass allows visitors to enjoy many benefits. Choose from a 24, 48, or 72 hour pass for the opportunity to enter many tourist attractions for free and use of unlimited travel on all modes of transport. You`ll also have preferential rates for some sites.

The pass guarantees: About twenty free services to museums, monuments, cruises, etc; over 30 reductions in many tourist sites; unlimited access to the Tisseo network (metro, bus, tramway); and return transport with an airport shuttle.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Emergency dial 112

Hospital Joseph Ducuing: 15, Rue De Varsovie, Toulouse 31076, France. Tel. +33 5 61 77 34 00