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Toulouse Geography/Overview
Toulouse is situated in the heart of Southern France, between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. The cosmopolitan and enthusiastic "Ville Rose" is 680 km south of Paris (1hr by plane). If you want to explore France a visit to Toulouse is a must! Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France with 880,000 habitants and the fastest growing town in Europe. "La Ville Rose" is known to be the capital of the European aerospace industry and also the second largest campus university in France. Toulouse is thus a young and dynamic city, fast growing but hides in its walls a rich historical past.
Toulouse History
Toulouse history goes back over 2000 years when a Celtic tribe settled in the region. Because Toulouse is located between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean it quickly appeared to be a strategic place to settle in for the Romans. As a colony Toulouse prospered from wine trade during the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. After the Romans the city kept on exerting a pull on other invaders such as the Visigoths, Vandals, and Franks.
But when the Cathars tried to settle in Toulouse in the 12th century, the first wave of the Inquisition hit the city. 1420 was an important year in Toulouse's history because it represents the beginning of a "prosperity" century. It was the introduction of the Parliament by Charles VII, Pastel merchant exported their plant-derived blue dye in Europe and became the controllers of the wealthy Toulouse. The 17th century is marked by a civil war followed by an important famine. In 1856, the Matabiau train station was built exclaiming the age of transportation with new boulevard in the centre town.
The 20th century is characterized by a strong increase of the population as well as by the aeronautic development.
More recently, on the 21st September 2001, Toulouse endured the AZF explosion and it damaged houses, churches, monuments, schools and shops.
Car Hire Toulouse
Toulouse is one of the most important towns in the South-West of France so there is different direct freeway to major European sightseeing capitals: The A61 to Carcassonne, Montpellier and Barcelona; the A62 to Montauban, Agen, Bordeaux, Limoges and Paris; the A64 to Foix, Lourdes, Bayonne and San Sebastian; the A66 to Andorra. Car Rental with Auto Reservation Plus and go to Les Pyrenees Mountain and enjoy a day of ski (only 110 km from Toulouse)
Auto Reservation Plus offer cheap rate car hire to get around Toulouse, so you can experience at your leisure the city Life of Toulouse. You can also savour a nice trip with a luxury car hire around Toulouse.
Toulouse Practical information
Getting to Toulouse
By Air
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport offers transportation to international destinations. http://www.toulouse.aeroport.fr
By Train
Train service to and from Toulouse is provided by SNCF, France's national services with comprehensive railroad, fast and comfortable trains. The Toulouse Matabiau station is situated in the centre town.
By Bus
If you prefer taking buses, Toulouse is accessible by a number of European coach providers. The Eurolines services offers transportation throughout France, notably in Toulouse. The coach station is just near Toulouse Matabiau SNCF railway station.
Toulouse Tourist Office
The Toulouse tourist office is located at the Donjon du Capitole (the access Metro Station is "Capitole").
During the close season the opening hours are:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 to 18:00
Saturdays: 9:00 to 12:30, 14:00 to 18:00
Sundays and Bank Holidays: 10:00 to 12:30, 14:00 to 17:00
During the season:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 to 19:00
Sunday and Bank Holidays: 10:30 to 17:15
Places not to be missed in Toulouse
La Ville Rose resumes the historic centre town of Toulouse
Place du Capitole
The most important place to see is the Capitole, Seat of Toulouse's city government for 8 centuries. The Capitole fa»ade is 135m long and houses the opera and symphony orchestra, the "Salle des Illustres" and obviously the municipal administration.
Also important
- Basilique de St.Sernin (The St Sernin Basilica): The biggest Romanesque building in west Europe.
- Eglise des Jacobins (The Jacobins monastery): Stemming from the monastic architecture, this monastery is wholly constructed with bricks.
- Cit» de l'Espace : Welcome to The space experience. Space-trotting by the giant IMAX 3D cinema and the 360» planetarium. Also, have a cosmonaut life and visit spacecrafts.
- Mus»e des Augustins (The Augustins): Fine Arts Museum with collections of paintings and sculptures from the middle ages to the early 20th century.
Annual events
Most important events in which you have to participate are the following ones:
Salon des Antiquaires (in November)
Salon des Antiquaires is a very important antique Fair, This event get a world-known reputation.Situated in Toulouse it takes place in the Parc des Expositions.
Christmas Market (in December)
Every year in the place du Capitole, find all the products you need for your Christmas time. Get France typical food like Foie gras, cassoulet, jam, Christmas cakes.
And more Events like Foire internationale de Toulouse (March international fair), Rio Loco (in June), Cap Dance Festival (urban culture and hip hop festival in February-March)
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