What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Toulouse, France.
Photo: Gaspartacus / Pixabay
Toulouse is a French city of about 514,819 people. It is inland, so come for the city, not the beach. Three key sights sit in the Capitole area: the Capitole de Toulouse, the Couvent des Jacobins and Marché Victor Hugo. You can also see the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, walk the Garonne riverbanks by the Pont Neuf, or follow the Canal du Midi. The best months to visit are April, June, September and October.
We have no set number of days for Toulouse. Most central sights take about 1 hour each. Allow extra time for Aeroscopia in Blagnac (2–3 hours) and Halle de la Machine in Montaudran (2 hours).
Capitole
The Capitole is the city hall, with a pink-brick front facing the large Place du Capitole. You can usually go inside to see the painted ceremonial rooms, including the Salle des Illustres. The square is the natural starting point for walking the old town.
Arnaud-Bernard / Saint-Sernin
Saint-Sernin is a large Romanesque brick church on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela. It is listed by UNESCO as part of that route. The tall octagonal bell tower and the long, plain nave are the main reasons to go.
Capitole
This Gothic brick convent church is known for its 'palm tree' column, where ribs spread across the ceiling like branches. It holds the relics of Thomas Aquinas. The quiet cloister next to the church is worth the visit on its own.
Blagnac
An aviation museum near the Airbus site, next to Toulouse airport. You can walk inside large aircraft, including Concorde. Go if you have any interest in planes; Toulouse is the centre of the European aircraft industry.
Saint-Cyprien / Daurade
The quays along the Garonne, around the Pont Neuf and the Quai de la Daurade, are where locals come to walk and sit at sunset. The Prairie des Filtres park on the opposite bank is a good place for a picnic. This walk costs nothing and shows the city at its best in the evening.
Central Toulouse
The Canal du Midi is a UNESCO-listed canal that starts in Toulouse and runs towards the Mediterranean. Tree-lined towpaths make it easy to walk or cycle for as long as you want. The stretch in the city is less pretty than the countryside further out.
Montaudran
A hall of giant mechanical creatures built by the La Machine company, including a huge walking minotaur. Demonstrations bring the machines to life. It sits on the old Montaudran airfield, linked to the history of the Aéropostale airmail pilots.
Capitole
The main covered food market in the centre, with stalls selling cheese, charcuterie, Toulouse sausage and local produce. Small restaurants upstairs serve lunch using market products. Go in the morning; it is quiet or closed later in the day.
Saint-Cyprien
A modern and contemporary art museum in a former brick slaughterhouse on the left bank. Its best-known piece is a very large Picasso stage curtain. The garden behind it has views over the Garonne.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C / 2°C | 11 days (72 mm) | 5.0 h/day | 2.6/10 |
| February | 12°C / 4°C | 10 days (62 mm) | 6.8 h/day | 4.8/10 |
| March | 15°C / 6°C | 13 days (70 mm) | 8.3 h/day | 5.8/10 |
| Best month: April | 18°C / 8°C | 11 days (69 mm) | 9.5 h/day | 7.5/10 |
| May | 21°C / 11°C | 12 days (82 mm) | 10.4 h/day | 7.5/10 |
| Best month: June | 26°C / 16°C | 10 days (67 mm) | 11.4 h/day | 7.9/10 |
| July | 29°C / 18°C | 7 days (47 mm) | 11.9 h/day | 7.3/10 |
| August | 29°C / 18°C | 7 days (47 mm) | 11.7 h/day | 7.1/10 |
| Best month: September | 25°C / 15°C | 8 days (58 mm) | 10.0 h/day | 8.3/10 |
| Best month: October | 20°C / 11°C | 9 days (62 mm) | 7.7 h/day | 8.1/10 |
| November | 14°C / 7°C | 13 days (75 mm) | 6.3 h/day | 5.1/10 |
| December | 11°C / 4°C | 10 days (67 mm) | 5.3 h/day | 4.0/10 |
Avoid. The coldest month, with highs of 9°C, lows of 2°C and 11 rain days. It scores only 2.6, the lowest of the year.
OK, not great. Highs reach 12°C with 9.5 rain days. Still chilly, but drier than January. Score 4.8.
OK. Highs of 14.5°C, but 12.5 rain days make it one of the wetter months. Pack a rain jacket. Score 5.8.
One of the best months. Mild highs of 17.5°C and 11 rain days. Showers are common, but it scores a strong 7.5.
Best. Warm highs of 21°C, though May has the most rain of the year: 82 mm over 12 days. Score 7.5.
Best. Highs of 26°C, long sunny days and 10 rain days. Warm, but not yet at the summer peak. Score 7.9.
Good. Hot, with highs of 29°C and only 7 rain days. Fine if you like heat; plan shade for midday. Score 7.3.
Good. The hottest and driest month, with highs of 29°C and 7 rain days. Expect hot afternoons in the city. Score 7.1.
The top month, scoring 8.3. Highs of 25°C, only 8 rain days, and the summer heat has eased.
Best. Pleasant highs of 20°C and 9 rain days. A close second to September, with a score of 8.1.
OK but wet. Highs drop to 14°C, and November has the most rain days of the year at 12.8. Score 5.1.
OK at best. Short, grey days with highs of 11°C and 10 rain days. Cool and damp. Score 4.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit France →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, short stays
This is the heart of Toulouse, around the main square and city hall, with the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the river within walking distance. You can reach most sights on foot, and the metro stops here. The drawback is noise and crowds, especially on weekend evenings.
Good for food lovers, couples
Narrow old streets, brick buildings and a covered market make this one of the most attractive parts of the old town. It has many small restaurants and wine bars, and the river and Capitole are a short walk away. Driving is difficult and parking is scarce, and restaurant terraces can be loud late at night.
Good for repeat visitors, local feel
Across the Garonne on the left bank, this area feels more everyday and less touristy, with a food market and the Les Abattoirs art museum. It has good views back over the river to the old town. Most major sights are on the other bank, so you will cross a bridge for much of your sightseeing.
Good for markets, bars, younger travellers
Just east of the centre, Saint-Aubin is known for its large Sunday market and its relaxed cafés and bars. It is walkable to the Capitole and close to the Canal du Midi. On market day, early set-up and crowds can make it noisy.
Good for rail travellers, early departures
Staying near the main station is practical if you arrive late or leave early by train, and the Canal du Midi runs right past it. The metro links it quickly to the centre. The streets right around the station feel less pleasant than the old town, especially at night.
Good for families, quiet
A calm residential area of brick townhouses and leafy streets, a walk north of the centre. It suits travellers who want to sleep well and still reach the old town on foot. There are fewer restaurants and shops, so evenings out mean heading into the centre.
A slow-cooked stew of white beans with Toulouse sausage, duck or goose confit and pork. It is heavy, so locals mostly eat it in colder weather, often as a long lunch.
A coarse, lightly seasoned pork sausage, sold in long coils. Locals buy it from butchers and covered markets such as Marché Victor Hugo, then grill it or add it to cassoulet.
The violet flower is a symbol of the city. You will find candied violets, violet sweets and violet liqueur in specialist shops. People often buy them as gifts.
A traditional Toulouse tart made with apricot, almond and candied lemon. Look for it in local bakeries and pastry shops.
Duck legs cooked slowly in their own fat, or a pink-cooked duck breast. These dishes of south-west France are standard on menus in local bistros.
September is the best month to visit Toulouse, followed by October, June and April. September scores 8.3 out of 10 and October scores 8.1. In September, highs average 25°C, with about 8 rain days and 10 hours of sun a day. October is cooler, with highs of about 20°C. June (7.9) and April (7.5) are also good choices.
Yes, August is a good month, but it is not the best. It scores 7.1 out of 10. August is the hottest month, with average highs of 29.1°C and lows of 17.7°C. It has the fewest rain days, about 7, and nearly 12 hours of sun a day. Toulouse is not on the coast, so there is no sea breeze to cool the city. If you dislike heat, choose September.
No, January is the worst month for a visit, and our data rates it "avoid". It scores only 2.6 out of 10. Highs average 9.2°C and lows fall to 2.4°C. There are about 11 rain days and only 5 hours of sun a day. December and February are a little better, but both are only rated "ok".
Rain is common for much of the year, but summer is drier. November has the most rain days, about 13, and May has the most rain, 82 mm. July and August are the driest months, with about 7 rain days and 47 mm each. In spring and autumn, pack an umbrella.
Most central sights take about 1 hour each. The Capitole de Toulouse, Couvent des Jacobins and Marché Victor Hugo are all in the Capitole area, so you can combine them easily. The Basilica of Saint-Sernin also takes about 1 hour. Plan 2–3 hours for Aeroscopia in Blagnac and 2 hours for Halle de la Machine in Montaudran. Both are outside the centre.
Enter to search · Esc to close