Toulouse Life and Visitor Travel Tips

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

A modern city steeped in history, Toulouse has so much to offer tourists and travellers. One of the most lively and fast growing cities in the whole of France, life in Toulouse can be quite hectic at times, although visitors will find plenty of quiet spots and places to relax, including many parks, gardens and boat trips along the Canal du Midi.

Toulouse is home to many major high-tech industries, with its aerospace industry being especially important and responsible for much of the city's wealth and importance. Nearby, you will find lush countryside, vineyards and a number of historical towns around the southerly Pyrenees.

Tourism and Tourist Information

When you arrive in Toulouse, consider paying a visit to the city's tourist office, where you will be able to pick up leaflets, maps, events listings and even arrange accommodation.

Toulouse Tourist Office
Address: Square Charles de Gaulle, Toulouse, 38001 - 31080, France
Tel: +33 05 61 11 02 22
Fax: +33 05 61 23 74 97
Email: infos@ot-toulouse.fr
Website: www.toulouse-tourisme.com
Open hours: June to September, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 19:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:15; October to May, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00

Language and Dialect

French is the written and spoken language of France and therefore Toulouse, although the historic language of Occitania is also favoured by a small minority. However, an increasing number of locals within the tourism and travel industry are able to speak English to some extent, although this can often be rather basic. To enhance your stay in Toulouse, consider bringing a French phrasebook and learning some simple phrases, to allow you to communicate with the locals. A handful of basic French phrases are shown here.

Hello - bonjour
Hi / Bye - salut
Goodbye - au revoir
How are you? - ça va ?
Do you speak French? - parlez vous français?
Do you speak English? - parlez vous anglais?
Do you understand? - comprenez vous?
Very good - très bien
Pleased to meet you - enchanté
That's very kind of you - c'est gentil à vous

Useful Advice

• Bookshops - English-language books, maps and travel guides are available at bookshops along the Rue Lakanal and the Rue Gambetta
• Currency - the Euro is now the currency used in Toulouse, replacing the French Franc in 2002. 24-hour ATMs are a good source if you need some cash in a hurry and are located all around the city centre
• Internet Access - a number of Internet cafes are present around Toulouse, often featuring free Wi-Fi connection when you purchase a drink. Outlets can be found on the Place St. Sernin and also on the Rue Gambetta
• Laundry - being a student city, Toulouse is well-equipped with a large number of launderettes, including centrally located ones on the Rue Mirepoix and the Rue Pargaminières
• Post Office - the post office is situated on the Rue la Fayette
• Tipping - unless the food or service has been poor, you should always tip when dining out at restaurants around Toulouse. A few Euros is usually quite acceptable