Pont Neuf claims to be the oldest and most beautiful bridge in Toulouse. It was built between 1544 and 1632, and Louis XIV himself crossed it in 1659. Flooding of the Garonne destroyed all the previous bridges, but this one has been in place for four centuries, thanks to tunnels above the arches, which allow water to flow away during floods. From the right bank, there is an exceptional view of the Hôtel-Dieu and the Prairie des Filtres Park; from the left, you can see the Daurade and Tunis quays. The two bridges either side are the Pont-Saint-Michel (upriver), and the Pont-Saint-Pierre (downriver). The latter offers an excellent view of the Pont Neuf.
Basilique St. Sernin is one of the largest remaining Romanesque churches in the world. It takes its name from Saint Saturnin, Toulouse's first bishop in 250 CE. In 402 his remains, previously kept in the du Taur church, were moved here and a small church, Saint-Exupère, was built around them. Work on the present basilica started around 1080. It is worth visiting for the exterior brickwork, the two crypts, the tympanum over the main door depicting Christ's ascension, and the 800 sculpted column heads.
Located in the heart of the city, Place du Capitole is a historic square surrounded by the beautiful architecture around it. The square houses magnificent Capitol building also known as City Hall along with many vibrant restaurants and bars. The square also hosts many cultural events and weekly markets. Take a stroll around the square admiring the bewitching architecture.
Labeled as one of the finest gardens of Toulouse, Jardin Japonais has been a city tradition since the year 1981. Not too far from the city's convention center and administrative headquarters, this Japanese garden proffers a serene and tranquil atmosphere to escape the city bustle. The garden reflects the quintessential landscape styles adopted for those island nation's gardens built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Some of its key features include a turtle island, dry waterfall, and a tea pavilion.
This magnificent monastery and its peaceful cloister have had a stormy history. The construction of the church took more than 100 years! It is the resting place of Saint Thomas Aquinas, thought to be one of Christianity's greatest theologians. There is plenty for the eyes to feast upon at this extraordinary Gothic edifice. The floor is black marble, and the apse called The Palm of Jacobins is quite famous. On the head of one of the columns, a bull's head symbolizes the martyr, Saint Saturnin.
Tucked away at the back of a bistro, the Bijou is somewhere between a café-theater and a concert-café, putting on various shows including one-man turns and a capella singing. If you enjoy the latter, there's a monthly session with Toulouse society the Joueurs de Voix, during which you can join the artists and sing along on stage. You can witness a lot of talented and upcoming musicians in the local music scene performing here. The interiors are modest and homey and the menu includes interesting options like Tuna Steak in the crust of cereals and Burger Bijou XXL.
Pont Neuf claims to be the oldest and most beautiful bridge in Toulouse. It was built between 1544 and 1632, and Louis XIV himself crossed it in 1659. Flooding of the Garonne destroyed all the previous bridges, but this one has been in place for four centuries, thanks to tunnels above the arches, which allow water to flow away during floods. From the right bank, there is an exceptional view of the Hôtel-Dieu and the Prairie des Filtres Park; from the left, you can see the Daurade and Tunis quays. The two bridges either side are the Pont-Saint-Michel (upriver), and the Pont-Saint-Pierre (downriver). The latter offers an excellent view of the Pont Neuf.
In the heart of the Capitole, this impressive hall exhibits the work of Toulouse artists from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th. A highlight of the exhibition is the portrait of La Belle Paule, a delightful young girl who enchanted King François 1 and who was ordered by decree of the town councillors, known as Capitouls, to appear twice a day on her balcony in the Rue du Languedoc in order to prevent rioting among her admirers. This is also a registry office for weddings; couples from Toulouse can take their vows here, in front of Henri Martin's impressionist frescoes.
Basilique St. Sernin is one of the largest remaining Romanesque churches in the world. It takes its name from Saint Saturnin, Toulouse's first bishop in 250 CE. In 402 his remains, previously kept in the du Taur church, were moved here and a small church, Saint-Exupère, was built around them. Work on the present basilica started around 1080. It is worth visiting for the exterior brickwork, the two crypts, the tympanum over the main door depicting Christ's ascension, and the 800 sculpted column heads.
If you only have time to visit one of Toulouse's many old mansions, it should probably be the Assézat Renaissance palace. Built in 1555 for Pierre d'Assézat, a pastel merchant, it is now the headquarters of the town's academic societies and the Bemberg foundation (since 1993). Behind the heavy sculpted wooden door is an inner courtyard, where a profusion of columns, decorated windows and sculpted designs (note the pastel flowers on the eastern façade) alternate between stone and brick. A lion guards the entrance to the terrace; from May to October there is a café here.
This magnificent monastery and its peaceful cloister have had a stormy history. The construction of the church took more than 100 years! It is the resting place of Saint Thomas Aquinas, thought to be one of Christianity's greatest theologians. There is plenty for the eyes to feast upon at this extraordinary Gothic edifice. The floor is black marble, and the apse called The Palm of Jacobins is quite famous. On the head of one of the columns, a bull's head symbolizes the martyr, Saint Saturnin.
Tucked away at the back of a bistro, the Bijou is somewhere between a café-theater and a concert-café, putting on various shows including one-man turns and a capella singing. If you enjoy the latter, there's a monthly session with Toulouse society the Joueurs de Voix, during which you can join the artists and sing along on stage. You can witness a lot of talented and upcoming musicians in the local music scene performing here. The interiors are modest and homey and the menu includes interesting options like Tuna Steak in the crust of cereals and Burger Bijou XXL.