The city of Toulouse is located in the South of France and is also the capital of the province of Occitanie, which is the second-largest province in all of the mainland France.
It is an ancient city that is believed to be over two thousand years old, but at the same time, it is a major European Tech Hub. Furthermore, Toulouse is renowned for its unique culture that is different from the type of French culture found in Northern France.
In this article, we will be telling everything that you need to know about this city, so that you can make your mind up and decide if you want to travel to the city of Toulouse, France.
Population of Toulouse.
Toulouse is currently the 4th largest city in all of France in terms of population. It is between the city of Lyon which is in third place, and the city of Nice that is in 5th place. Moreover, it is the second-largest city in terms of population in Southern France, after the metropolis of Marseille.
The city is located on the Garonne River that runs from the Atlantic Ocean from the Bay of Biscay down to the Spanish Pyrenees.
This allowed Toulouse to develop into a significant economical center. This was coupled with the city’s strategic location, which made it important to hold for whoever planned to control Mid-Southern France.
Today the city continues to attract a large number of immigrants thanks to the booming high-tech industries of aerospace engineering, electronics, and parts for space rockets.
History of Toulouse.
Originally settlements were founded in what is today the city of Toulouse, due to the prime location in Garonne Valley which is a major route for trade between three distinct points; the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
It is not currently known by historians who the original founders of the city were. It is believed that they were either Iberians or Aquitanian. Later on, the city became a major town inhabited by the Barbarian Gauls before being conquered by the Roman Empire.
Subsequently, following the fall of the Roman Empire, the city came under the control of the Visigoths. Furthermore, this city is the location of an important battle known as the Battle of Toulouse 721 AD.
Where Duke Odo of Aquitaine defeated the Muslim Umayyad Empire and today is seen by historians as a major event that stopped the spread of Islam into Western Europe.
Furthermore, this city was the capital of an independent nation called the County of Toulouse, before eventually joining France in 1271 AD. Toulouse continued to be a very important city after King Charles VII established the second parliament of France in the city.
Parks in the City of Toulouse.
This Southern city is home to a large number of parks which is a testament to the fact that locals of Toulouse enjoy fresh clean air and outside activity. One of the most interesting of those parks is the Grand Rond which is a historical part that was built during the 18th century.
It is a major park in the city with four roads going around it, which leads to the popularity of the park thanks to its distinct shape and location. In the very middle of this park, there is a water fountain while in the outer layers there are many trees and also benches for people to rest and relax on.
Moreover, there is the Jardin des Plantes which is a botanical garden 70,000 square kilometers in size, it is home to a large expanse of grass as well as hundreds of different plants that are grown in order to be studied by scientists as well as enjoyed by the public.
There is also the Canal de Brienne, which although technically, not a park is a popular canal that has a path on either side as well as trees, grass, and greenery. The canal and the paths on both sides run for 1.560 meters with benches dotted all over.
Climate of Toulouse.
If you are planning to travel to the city of Toulouse, France then it is important to be informed about the local climate. The climate of this city is classed as a temperate humid tropical climate.
The average temperature of the city throughout the year is 13.8 degrees Celsius. June, July, and August happen to be the warmest months of the year, with the temperature ranging from between 25.2 and 28 degrees Celsius.
On the other hand, the coldest months are the months of December, January, and February that average from 5.9 to 7 degrees Celsius on average.
On average, it rains for over 95 days per year, with usually at least 9 rain days per month with the three hottest summer months have three less rainy days. It also snows for over 7 days a year, during the three coldest months that we have mentioned above.
Toulouse Is Known as the ‘Pink City’.
Toulouse is also known by another name, as the ‘Pink City’. This is due to the light pink color of the bricks that happen to be used in the city. It is a very interesting design choice that has become a trend for many buildings around the city.
Some of the popular buildings that incorporate such as an architectural choice include the Basilique Saint-Sernin which was constructed in 1120 and declared a place of holy worship in 1180.
The church is constructed in a Romanesque architectural style; moreover, the Basilique Saint-Sernin happens to be one of the biggest buildings to be constructed in a Romanesque style in the entire world.
There is also the Hotel du Grand Balcon which is popular for its 1930s decor and also for the fact that it is located in the center of the city. The hotel resembles a palace and has both four-star and five-star rooms for visitors to enjoy while touring the great city of Toulouse.
Moreover, you have the Museum de Toulouse which shares the same architectural style that uses pink bricks. The museum is home to 2.5 million items that are constantly rotated from storage into exhibition so that the millions of visitors that come every year can learn about.
Rugby the Top Sport in Toulouse.
Regardless if you are a big fan of rugby, or you have never heard of the sport before, at the city of Toulouse, you will be able to watch professional rugby at an elite level. The city is home to the rugby team Stade Toulousain.
It is one of the top rugby teams in the world that has won the European Rugby Champions Cup a total of 4 times and have also won the French National Rugby League a total of 20 times making it the most successful professional rugby team in history.
Thanks to this rugby heritage, the city of Toulouse also hosted the 2007 Rugby World Cup and has hosted a large number of Rugby League World Cups.
Transport in the City of Toulouse.
You have no reason to worry about how to travel to the city of Toulouse, France as the city is home to a state-of-the-art transportation system. The air route between Toulouse and the capital of France, Paris is the busiest air route in all of France with well over 3 million passengers every single, this does not include the millions of other air passengers that visit the city from other locations.
The main airport is the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport that serves over 9 million passengers every single year. There are also other smaller airports such as the Toulouse Lasbordes, however they cannot be used by international travelers.
Inside the city itself, there are national and regional train lines that provide affordable and quick travel across France, there is also a metro line in the city that serves over 20 stations. Additionally, there is a tramline, and also a canal transport service, and high-quality cycling lanes for those looking for more active transportation.
Also read the article: Fabulous Trip To Nice, France
