Are you thinking about visiting Toulouse, France? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Toulouse worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this city for two to four days because of the many great activities. Toulouse is located near France's Spanish border and it's the capital of the Occitanie region. It is filled with terra-cota buildings, giving it a nickname of "the pink city". You'll find a beautiful old town with many impressive landmarks and museums. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in The Rough Guide's Best Travel Destinations for 2023.
Toulouse, France
Reasons to Visit Toulouse
Food
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.
Museums
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.
Nightlife
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.
Historical Sights
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.
Shopping
There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.
Authenticity
Toulouse has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Toulouse worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Toulouse, so expect more visitors and higher prices. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 22°C (72°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 28°C (83°F).
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums, discover the big city activities, and browse around the old town. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Toulouse
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 22°C (72°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| August | 22°C (71°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| September | 20°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Is Toulouse worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Toulouse. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 15°C (60°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the historic old town, and the famous sights and museums. Also, you can soak up the big city atmosphere.
Autumn Weather in Toulouse
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| November | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| December | 7°C (45°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Toulouse worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Toulouse can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 6°C (44°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Toulouse is during the winter. This destination is not very touristy, so in the low season it can become fairly quiet.
This is a great time of year to browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can check out the nightlife and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Toulouse
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 6°C (44°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| February | 8°C (46°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| March | 10°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Is Toulouse worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Toulouse. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to browse around the old town and grab some drinks at a bar.
Spring Weather in Toulouse
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| June | 19°C (67°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Related
What is Toulouse most famous for?
Toulouse is most famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. People visit this impressive city for its great food. Also, it's known for museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. It is often described as historic, vibrant, friendly, relaxed, and dynamic.
What is the most famous sight in Toulouse?
The most popular sight in Toulouse is Basilique Saint-Sernin. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Toulouse on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Basilique Saint-Sernin and other attractions here.
How touristy is Toulouse? Is it a popular city to visit?
Toulouse is an off-the-beaten-path city that many travelers overlook. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Toulouse E Bike Tour: $49
- Private 3-hour Walking Tour of Toulouse with Official Tour Guide: $255
- Toulouse Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $288
- Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef (in English): $120
- Unusual guided tour Toulouse in the Age of Enlightenment: $22
- Private tour of Toulouse in an electric Tuk Tuk: $66
- Private guided walking tour: $202
- Aeroscopia Admission Ticket: $16
How long should I spend in Toulouse?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Toulouse is two to four days. Since Toulouse has a variety of activities such as dining, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Toulouse? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Toulouse?.
More Things to Do in Toulouse
- Is Aeroscopia Worth Visiting?
- Is Cité de l'Espace Worth Visiting?
- Is The Natural History Museum Worth Visiting?
- Is The Japanese Garden Worth Visiting?
- Is Pont Neuf Worth Visiting?
- Is Capitole de Toulouse Worth Visiting?
- Is Basilique Saint-Sernin Worth Visiting?
- Is Fondation Bemberg Worth Visiting?
- Is The Convent of Les Jacobins Worth Visiting?
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.