Live la vie en rose in Frances La Ville Rose.
During my five-night trip, I had ticked off all the checkboxes of a well-spent French vacation.
But theres a catch: I wasnt in Paris.
Aerial view of the city center of Toulouse, France.Credit:Rémi Deligeon/Courtesy of Agence d’Attractivité Toulouse
It even has a waterfront pathway as well as a series of bridges, including its own Pont Neuf.
Its so impressive that it was inscribed as aUNESCO World Heritage Sitein 1996.
Toulouse is much less touristed than the City of Light, but its certainly not short on notable attractions.
People walking and eating along the Garonne River at La Guinguette Quai de Tounis.Rémi Deligeon/Courtesy of Agence d’Attractivité Toulouse
Toulouse is known for several things.
It is also widely recognized as one of Europe’s leading aerospace hubs.
That said, Toulouse is perhaps simply best known as La Ville Rose the Pink City.
The iconic pink bricks of Toulouse outside the Paul Dupuy Museum.Rémi Deligeon/Courtesy of Agence d’Attractivité Toulouse
The bricks in Toulouse have a unique, soft-reddish hue that casts a terra-cotta glow on everything around them.
(Yes, that means the McDonalds golden arches actually look gold here!)
the emphasis is on the ingredients.
Two french sister look at the The Machine Hall, Minotaur.Arnaud Späni/OT de Toulouse/courtesy of CRTL Occitanie
Take note: Toulousians have a regional name forpain au chocolate chocolatine.
Its exactly the same pastry, but those who use the wrong name will be corrected.
(Or, as the joke goes, charged more!)
The medieval French city of Carcassonne.G. DESCHAMPS/Courtesy of CRTL Occitanie
With Toulouse as a home base, the entire region of Occitanie turns into a playground.
Plus, it has all the perks of a Parisian getaway, at a fraction of the cost.
Part of the charm of the city is just melting into its relaxing embrace.
Cassoulet is a hearty, slow-cooked French bean and meat stew.Dominique VIET/Courtesy of CRTL Occitani
Wander through the streets, enjoy the cafe terrace culture, and walk along the river or the canal.
But perhaps the city’s charm is best summarized with its regional take on the phrase youre welcome.
That, to me, is Toulouse in a nutshell, Hammer said.
