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.
This monastery turned museum, which dates from the 14th and 15th centuries exhibits the town's largest selection of medieval sculptures (Romanesque and Gothic) and paintings. The collection contains works from the Italian, Flemish and Dutch schools including pieces by Rubens and Le Perugin and French artists from the 16th-20th centuries. The monastery itself has a chapel with two beautiful cloisters as well as a unique collection of Romanesque capitals. The museum also organizes guided tours and lectures.
Whether you are a connoisseur of oriental art or merely curious about Asian culture, the Georges-Labit Museum is well worth a visit. Covering more than 3,000 years of history, it displays original works from China, Japan, Nepal, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Tibet. The collection was compiled by the museum's founder, George Labit (1862-1899), who travelled the world looking for vestiges of little-known civilizations. There are regular themed exhibitions, e.g. on the subject of Tibetan art and the Tantric religious movement. There are also ancient Egyptian Coptic fabrics from the 4th to the 7th centuries on display. Inquire about guided tours.
Until 1870, this building was used to pump 4000 cubic meters (141,259 cubic feet) of water to 60,000 inhabitants of Toulouse. In 1971, following a suggestion by photographer Jean Dieuzaide, it was turned it into a gallery for black and white photography. The excellent quality of its monthly exhibitions, held on the second story of the building, prove what a good idea this was. Children enjoy it too, as they can see the gear wheels through the thick glass partitions that separate the mechanisms from the public. The gallery also gives new artists the chance to display their work.
Compared to the Basilique Saint-Sernin (a model of symmetry), the Saint-Etienne Cathedral is a mishmash of styles. Even though it still manages to be the most elegant building in the city. The façade, whose rose windows and entrance don't match the bell tower, is a result of years of construction and renovation work (1209-1613). The choir too is out of alignment with the nave. Its height recalls the Gothic cathedrals of northern France. The inside is a bit cluttered, but there are some good murals in the chapels. In the square outside is the oldest fountain in Toulouse, Le Griffoul (1546).
Located in the Jardin des Plantes, the Muséum de Toulouse, or the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, holds a wealth of exhibits and displays that both children and adults can enjoy. The entrance hall showcases huge dinosaur skeletons, but that is only the beginning of a visit into the realm of nature and the environment presented at this multi-leveled museum. The main floor of the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle has permanent, interactive exhibitions that depict the development of the earth and France over the years. As one continues, the displays become more nature-based, and visitors enter a hall that depicts the animal kingdom, with hundreds of taxidermy exhibits from every major genus on display. The second-floor hosts rotating exhibits which usually focus on particular topics affecting the world today, and there is a large outdoor garden space with a mini labyrinth in the center. Above all, the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle offers a mulch-faceted view of nature.
Earlier a private garden on a farm, the Jardins des Martels is now a commercial botanical park in the region of Midi-Pyrénées, France. Founded by André Reynier and Marie-Thérèse on their farm, the couple worked really hard to convert it into a marvelous garden setting. Complete with lush green trees and plants, the garden houses close to 2,500 different varieties of plant species from across the globe. It also has a greenhouse for aquatic plants and close to 150 farm animals like duck, goat, sheep among others. The garden is open for visitation from April to October, though the timings change frequently, it is best to check their website before planning your visit.
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.
A small equivalent of a toy train is the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Tarn, which is a major tourist attraction in the town. Located in Saint-Lieux-lès-Lavaur, the train operates from this point to the Les Martels terminal and takes roughly an hour to complete this distance. Established in 1975, the train still runs as a part of a heritage experience for tourists coming to visit France. Operated by ACOVA, a French association, the train is open from April to October and functions on an hourly basis. It is best to visit their website before planning your visit here.
Driven by their love for theater and poetry, René Gouzenne and some of her friends created a space that was entirely dedicated to art and culture. Cave Poésie holds French song recitals, poetry readings and meaningful plays that strike a chord with the audience. Artists come to share their philosophies on life, death, and love, and comedians improvise sketches based on themes suggested by the audience. A unique concept is that during each full moon night, aspiring poets are given a chance to read out their poems. The basement area also holds concerts frequently and the event venue also houses an small bar for a drink pre or post the show. Due to the intimate atmosphere and the communal feeling, you also get an opportunity to personally interact with the performing artist. Head here to meet like-minded individuals and spend time celebrating art and revelling in it. This event venue is truly an artist's retreat.
This monastery turned museum, which dates from the 14th and 15th centuries exhibits the town's largest selection of medieval sculptures (Romanesque and Gothic) and paintings. The collection contains works from the Italian, Flemish and Dutch schools including pieces by Rubens and Le Perugin and French artists from the 16th-20th centuries. The monastery itself has a chapel with two beautiful cloisters as well as a unique collection of Romanesque capitals. The museum also organizes guided tours and lectures.
Close to the student district of Rangueil, although a little far from the town centre, the Pavé Theatre shows mainly classical plays. Previous programs have included the classical Phèdre by Racine, as well as more contemporary works by writers such as Georges Pérec. In addition, the Pavé company stages two brand new plays a year. The 208-seater grande salle hosts classical plays, jazz concerts and the bar area can be utilized for intimate events like cabarets, readings, musicals and more.