Toulouse, France
oulouse, France has all the charm and joie de vivre of France’s better known cities. This
overlooked pink city has a series of beautiful landmarks that makes wondering the streets of this city, a real pleasure. There’s plenty to keep you occupied here for days!
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While I visited Toulouse, I was more than excited to meet with my Dad's cousin's family. I have never met them before in person, expect for the occasional phone calls I'd pop into to say hello. But, once I got to meet them I instantly felt at home in their presence.
Being able to explore the city with family was more fun than I expected it to be. It was a more whole experience and we felt easily comfortable. My brother and I didn't feel so much as tourists around the city.
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We actually took a train ride from Barcelona all the way up North to Toulouse and though it was a 4 hour ride, it didn't feel so long. I was too mesmerized by the scenic view passing by us, watching the sun gently set from the horizon. It was a calm, relaxing way to end the day from jetlag.
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Much like this, the city was just as calm and beautiful. Every corner seemed like an unfamiliar road at first, but after a while my brother and I felt easy to navigate ourselves by foot.
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Here are a few top places to visit in Toulouse:
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1. Le Pont Neuf and The Garonne River
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As with every city with a river or sea, after awhile I naturally gravitate towards the water. Approaching the banks of the river Garonne I am greeted by the magnificent image of the Pont Saint Pierre de Toulouse. Taking a few moments to soak in the view, I walk further up the river.
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We see picnics and friends enjoying each other's company.....families breaking bread....couples drinking wine. It's a river that brings humanity together. It's the real-life 21st century version of a Sunday Afternoon on the River of La Garonne.
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The river really is the pulse of the city, with shady places and wider banks.
We had such a great time sitting there at midday and afternoon, where families, friends, musicians, were here to enjoy the overall company.
The views of the bridges are absolutely stunning. We observed them from almost every angle, from walking down below near the banks of the river, from up top near the entrance of the bridge, and right through it to the other side.
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In red and white brickwork, meeting in a gentle arch, on a clear day it’s hugely popular among strollers and cyclists. Curiously, its arches aren’t symmetrical, but that doesn’t detract from its beauty.
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2. Place du Capitole
Toulouse's magnificent main square is the city's literal and metaphorical heart, where sunny evenings are an invitation to sip coffee or an early cone of gelato at my new favorite corner, the Amorino Gelato. This was the first time I had ever tried their gelato, and my oh my....the smooth texture and the variety of flavors are amazing! Not to mention they also have one of the prettiest ways of serving gelato:
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Back to the Capitole, it’s lined with cafes giving you a front-seat view of the sensational pink-stone former Grand Palace, which runs the length of one side, reminiscent of Madrid and St Petersburg.
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On the eastern side is the 128m-long façade of the city hall built in the 1750s. It once housed the magistrates. Now it’s home to the city’s theatre, a fittingly grand setting for some of the most famous operas in the world. Called the Théâtre du Capitole, it is one of France's most prestigious opera venues, and the over-the-top, late-19th-century Salle des Illustres (Hall of the Illustrious).
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On Wednesdays, the Capitole has a spectacular lively market full of unique souvenirs and clothes you'll probably enjoy. There are so many cute antiques and accessories to buy all over the market.
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3. Jardin Japonais
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A haven of peace in the heart of the city, this remarkable garden is straight in the middle of the Compans-Caffarelli park. This peaceful garden is the epitome of zen as you wander, inhaling scents of beautiful flowers.
Known as the Pierre Baudis Japanese garden, it is a lively experience inside a painting, with its bright red cartwheel bridge, stone garden and tea pavilion.
Its remarkable garden label is confirmed by numerous tree species such as ginkgo biloba, hackberry, Lebanese cedar, tulip tree, Virginia tulip tree, and Osage orange tree.
Spend time gazing up into the trees or down into the waters of the lake – you’re bound to spot koi carp, turtles, frogs, and birds. Then sit awhile on one of the benches, imagining you’re in Tokyo or Kyoto.
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4. Basilique Saint-Sernin
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Something that should also be visited first is Basilique Saint-Sernin, which leaves architecture lovers breathless. Be sure to visit this work of Romanesque art both inside and out, it will delight you. This building has been rebuilt many times over the years, so it has a bit of every style in architecture.
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5. Fondation Bemberg
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This is a private museum where collections of paintings and art objects are kept, from the Renaissance and Modern French School. It is located within the Place d’Assézat. If you are interested in art, this place is worth a visit, because how else to get to know the city, if not through its culture and sights. This is where the largest private art collection in Europe is located.
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I'm Jana! I am a firm believer in doing what makes you feel good. Life is too damn short to waste on fixating our energy on things that drain our energy.
Building a healthy relationship with yourself gives you the foundation to view everything else with a clear lens. When you change the way you think about who you are, it changes the way you think about everything else.