A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulouse vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a relaxing, historic, and vibrant town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulouse than Aix-en-Provence. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulouse is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Aix-en-Provence attracts visitors for its shopping and impressive beauty. Aix-en-Provence is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also well known for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Toulouse. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Toulouse is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Toulouse can be an interesting and educational experience. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence offer a number of first-rate restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

Eat your way through Aix-en-Provence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Toulouse is well known for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Toulouse is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Toulouse to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Aix-en-Provence specifically to go shopping. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Toulouse is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Toulouse is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Both Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aix-en-Provence is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Aix-en-Provence is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Aix-en-Provence. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Aix-en-Provence has a few public transit options. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence. In our opinion, Toulouse has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Toulouse than Aix-en-Provence. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Toulouse than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Toulouse, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Toulouse than Aix-en-Provence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toulouse that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Toulouse if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Aix-en-Provence.

One day in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

The historic destination of Toulouse offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

The city of Toulouse offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Aix-en-Provence, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Toulouse is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aix-en-Provence is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Toulouse Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Aix-en-Provence. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Aix-en-Provence. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the family-friendly experiences.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In the summer, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

In the autumn, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Aix-en-Provence. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Toulouse during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the spring for the natural beauty.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Toulouse