Toulouse rosa staden
Såvitt jag vet är det den enda staden i Frankrike med ett smeknamn som nämner en färg (vi vet redan att "ljusets stad" är Paris), men Toulouse, "den rosa staden" av terrakotta tegelstenar i många av dess byggnader, det förtjänar att vara vår första artikel för mycket mer än färgen. The old city center has a rather distinctive architecture in pink brick, and with its close proximity to Spain, there is a definite hint of an influence in the local food and lifestyle.
Toulouse: The Pink City (France)
Nearby are the towns of Carcassone , Montpellier , Lautrec , Castres , Albi , Sète and Nimes , making it a popular stop for visitors to the area. The city was founded here on the banks of the River Garonne at least since the Iron Age. It became an important Roman outpost , given its proximity to nearby Nimes , Arles , and the Pont du Gard. Once the capital of the quasi-independent Duchy of Aquitaine, it was the domaine of the legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine who inherited the duchy from her father.
She would go on to marry the English King, with whom she had 8 children. In , Toulouse became a part of the Kingdom of France. It was regarded as a major center of culture, including having an important university. The University of Toulouse remains one of the largest universities in France today. The main language here used to be Occitan , and even today the metro in the city of Toulouse is officially bilingual in French and Occitan.
Toulouse is also best known for being the French headquarters of Airbus since , which has greatly contributed to the growth of the city and its economy. These days it is a lively and busy city in the Occitanie Region, that is a popular destination for tourists looking filled for a bit of sun and culture. With a population of around ,, Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France. It is located on the site of a previous basilica of the 4th century which contained the body of Saint Saturnin or Sernin , the first bishop of Toulouse.
It also had several relics in it that were donated by King Charlemagne in the 8th century, some of which are now in museums around France. The current building dates back to the 11th century. Excavations have shown that the area around the Place du Capitole has been occupied since Roman times. Previously known as Place Royale, it became the Place du Capitole after the French Revolution during which this was central square where traitors were guillotined.
These days, it is a bustling square with beautiful classical buildings and residents buzzing about. The old center of Toulouse buts along the River Garonne, and the area is one of the most charming in the city. Along with a ferris wheel, there are also outdoor events held in the area in the summer, along with pop-up bars with musicians and other entertainment. There are also tour boats along the quay, that go along the river Garonne with some of them going into the locks of the Canal du Midi.
With Toulouse being the French headquarters of Airbus, you know that the city was going to have a strong interest in aviation and aerospace manufacturing. The large park that is over 4 hectares, holds full-scale models of the Ariane 5 rocket, Mir, and Soyuz modules. The impressive citadel towers on a hilltop, surrounded by wide, stone ramparts that you can walk along and explore. You can take a guided tour from Toulouse to Carcassone and nearby Albi as a day trip to remember.
Football may be one of the most popular sports in France , but in Toulouse, rugby is king. Stade Toulousain is the most successful club in Europe, having won the European Rugby Champions Cup a record five times and the French title 21 times. Rugby season starts in September up to April , so if you happen to be in Toulouse at the time, try to catch a game. A cassoulet is basically a hearty dish, consisting of copious amounts of sausages, meat, and beans that have been cooked for hours for maximum perfection.
The dish dates back to the mids from the town of Castelnaudary near Toulouse. There is also a Carcassonne version of the cassoulet adds partridge meat to the recipe. This traditional dish can be easily found in brasseries and restaurants around Toulouse and the Occitanie , so if you eat meat, you should definitely give it a try. The Canal du Midi is a man-made river constructed in , located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France.
Åtta tips till Toulouse – Frankrikes rosa stad
This canal crosses the region between Toulouse and the Mediterranean Sea and ranks as one of the greatest feats of engineering of all time. At over miles km long, this waterway links the Mediterranean and the Atlantic ocean, making it a crucially important crossroad within France rather than having to go around Spain and the Iberian coastline. Riquet would spend much of his own fortune to ensure that the Canal was completed in It is also exceptionally beautiful, with houseboats along its tree-lined quais and working locks that still adjust water levels.
Go for a stroll, a bike ride with a tour guide , or take a boat ride onto its waters. You can read more about the Canal du Midi here. Toulouse has an active nightlife, given its university nearby. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, especially around the quais of the river Garonne. Many of the restaurants serve a type of French version of tapas with many small plates, so long apéros are the norm.