Toulouse Landmarks and Monuments

(Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees, France)

Toulouse is a city that combines old and new with remarkable success. Its rich cultural and historic tradition sits alongside a rich industrial past and high-tech future.

Many of Toulouse's major landmarks are testament to the city's Golden Age, between the 16th and 18th centuries. They range from grand mansions, built by the city's rich merchants, to vast municipal works, including the remarkable Canal du Midi, and of course, the hub of Toulouse, Le Capitole. The most significant landmarks and historic monuments within Toulouse are below.

Le Capitole (City Hall) / Théâtre Nationale du Capitole

Address: Place du Capitole, Toulouse, France, FR
Tel: +33 05 61 22 34 12
Situated right at the heart of Toulouse, this impressive building started out life as the headquarters of the city's magistrates. Today, Le Capitole is home to the Théâtre Nationale du Capitole and is also Toulouse's City Hall. The building is open to the public. Take time out to admire its eight pink marble columns, then go onto explore the Hall of Fame with busts of local celebrities, and stroll through the courtyard where the works of local 19th-century artists are on display.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 17:00; open first Sunday of the month
Admission: free

Le Bazacle

Address: 11 Quai St. Pierre, Toulouse, France, FR
Tel: +33 05 62 30 16 00
This 100-year old hydro plant is a monument to water power. It is also the site of a medieval water mill. All in all, Le Bazacle is a pleasant place to while away a sunny afternoon as well as having plenty to interest the whole family.
Open hours: Monday to Friday, September to July - 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00; Saturday and Sunday - 14:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Halle aux Grains Stadium

Address: Place Dupuy, Toulouse, France, FR
Tel: +33 05 61 63 13 13
Halle aux Grains is a former covered market and was built in 1861 for the buying and selling of cereals around the Toulouse region. In 1952, however, it was redeveloped into a sports stadium. From the early 1970s, this prominent local landmark has taken on a new lease of life as the home of the 'Orchestre du Capitole'. Its subsequent restoration in 1988 has succeeded in making it one of Europe's top musical venues, capable of seating some 2,500 enthusiastic music-lovers.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:45 (ticket sales)
Admission: charge for performances

Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi is reputed to be the oldest canal in Europe that is still in use today. Built in the 17th century, its great historical importance has recently been recognized by UNESCO. Some 12,000 men constructed the canal, which was intended to bring closer together Atlantic-facing Gascony and Mediterranean-based Languedoc. The 'Bassin de l'Embouchure' is where the Canal du Midi meets up with Toulouse's two other canals. Nowadays, the Canal du Midi is used mainly by pleasure boats and its towpaths are a popular haunt for joggers, walkers and cyclists.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Roman Amphitheatre of Toulouse-Purpan

Address: Avenue des Arènes Romaines, Toulouse, 31300, France, FR
Tel: +33 05 61 22 31 44
Built in the 1st century AD, this was the arena in which Roman gladiators did battle for 300 years. This is the only Roman site that can be viewed in its entirety.
Open hours: Saturday and Sunday May to October, - 14.00 to 18.00; July to August - 14:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge