Top attractions in Toulouse

This is the main square of Toulouse, and chances are that whether or not you set out to visit, you will at some point end up here. The main building itself houses the city hall, municipal buildings, as well as the opera hall of Toulouse, one of the most renowned in Europe. You are able to enter the Capitol building for free on certain days of the week, and the elaborate furnishings and extensive art make this worth doing. The square itself is also full of life, bordered by restaurants and cafes. These are quite pricey due to the prime location, but some offer happy hours of 5 euro cocktails too. In the day the square is also filled by a market selling possible souvenirs ranging from dresses to wooden carvings.

This hidden gem is free and an absolute must-see in Toulouse. Tucked away from the main bustle and with minimal signposting, it would be easy to walk straight past this without going in, but to do so would be to miss out on some of the most spectacular religious artwork. Paintings showing the life of Christ are hung on walls decorated with similar motifs, and the ceiling is breathtaking. Not a single inch is left undecorated.

Like Paris, Toulouse boasts its own Pont Neuf over the Garonne. This stone bridge is one of the oldest on the river, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, linking the popular historic centre on the east bank, to the Saint-Cyprien quarter on the west.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Toulouse, the striking height, stained glass windows, and the remains of Thomas Aquinas under the altar all draw tourists to this chuch and monastery. The main building is accessible for free, but to access the cloisters and displays beyond that requires a fee of around 5 euros, but it is free for students. The cloisters are very pretty (though similar to those of the Augustines museum if you want to avoid paying the fee), and having seating areas as well as medieval board games. At the time of my visit one of the rooms had been turned over to an exhibition of opera props, as seen in the last photo, which made the entrance fee worth it.

As the name makes clear, this trendy museum of modern art once had a very different past. The now repurposed slaughterhouses are a cultural highlight of the city and general region, showcasing contemporary art and shining a spotlight on young artists. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby too.

This peaceful garden is free to visit, and full of well-maintained trails through a range of Japanese vegetation, and ponds with fish the size of cats. However, there isn't that much shade, but the surrounding park will provide a better place to picnic or laze about in the afternoon outside direct sunlight. This park outside of the gardens also has a cafe and large playground for children.

This museum of archaeology is in a prime location just outside the Basilica of Saint Sernin, and is also next to a courtyard cafe. The museum itself houses a stunning collection of Roman remains, largely statues and mosaics, as well as a smaller display of Gaullish finds. Interactive exhibits, as well as multilingual display information make this museum a great introduction to the Roman history of this area and beyond. Another bonus is that it is free for students.

This converted church and art museum is free to enter, and a vital cultural attraction for those visiting Toulouse. The stunning art is all housed in a towering church, with absolutely beautiful stained glass windows that illuminate the floor in different shades of red and gold. The information is in both French and English.

Just behind the Captitol is this small park, complete with a tower-cum-tourism office, and some fountains for children to cool off in. Large trees and free public toilets make this a handy and shady stop-off.

In the summer Toulouse can get very hot, and in these cases a visit to this open air pool is an absolute must-do. The tickets are highly discounted for young people, at only a couple of euros, but regardless of age it is not pricey. The depth ranges from a few inches to 1.8m, with a smaller pool for children complete with mini-slides. The building that houses the changing rooms and toilets is in itself impressive in its art deco design. To get here, it is easiest to take the metro and then walk from there.

This is one of the largest and most impressive Romanesque churches, and a key destination for those visiting Toulouse. Unsurprisingly it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an impressive vaulted ceiling, lots of smaller chapels and religious artwork. Leaflets of information are available in lots of languages, and there is also a video explaining the Basicila's history and construction. In the crypt there are a large number of reliquaries, many of which contain relics donated by Charlemagne which attracted pilgrims as a stop-off on the route to Santiago de Compostela as well. The surrounding green space and shaded benches also make a good picnic location.

Busy working market in the centre of Toulouse. As well as providing a great place to pick up fresh raw ingredients, there are also stalls selling pastries and deli foods too. Above the ground floor market there are a host of bustling, family-run restaurants that are some of the best affordable places to eat in Toulouse.