The French city of Toulouse is beautiful at any time of the year, but especially so in the summer. This is because you can take advantage of the ample countryside that surrounds the destination, as well as make the most of its outdoor pursuits.
If you want to explore a little further afield during your summer getaway, start searching for the best deals for Toulouse Airport car hire. This will not only enable you to kick-start your break as quickly as possible, with the airport just six miles west of the city, but will also give you the freedom to easily head out to the nearby golf courses and recreational parks.
Here is a guide to what to see and do in Toulouse this summer.
Explore its green space and golf courses
Toulouse boasts lots of recreational parks, with one of the most popular La Ramee. There are so many activities you can take part in during the summer months, as well as lovely walks and picnics, you might find you even have to come back the next day so you can get as much done as possible. Windsurfing, kayaking and golf are a handful of the sports you can tackle during your time in the park. If teeing off is a particular passion of yours, you are well placed in Toulouse. While there are lots of greens close to the city centre, including the 18-hole course at Teoula, take the opportunity to drive further out. St Gabriel in Montrabe and Estolosa in Dremil Lafage are just two of the courses that are no more than an hour away by car and will afford you a beautiful drive.
Party at a festival
If you time your visit for between July 17th and August 10th you can take part in the Toulouse Summer Festival. This event showcases talent across a variety of musical genres, including pop, rock, classical and jazz. There is something special about relaxing in the sunshine while listening to live performances. If your summer holiday is slightly earlier, you can check out Tangopostale, which is scheduled for the first week of July. You might not at first associate Toulouse with the tango, but the links between the two are strong. Get a feel for Argentina during passionate performances, while there will also be talks, workshops and films to enjoy so you can learn more about the dance’s history and French ties.
Get walking
There are lots of walking tours you can go on in Toulouse, and these make for a pleasant few hours during the summer months. Organised by the city’s tourist office, you can take your pick from ones such as Discovering Toulouse. This will provide you with an overview of the major monuments and tourist sites, including the River Garonne – which you might like to cycle along later in the day – the Saint-Sernin basilica and the town hall. There are also tours that will allow you to discover the gourmet side of Toulouse. After all, the city is home to renowned establishments, such as Michel Sarran and Les Jardins de l’Opera.
- Toulouse parkmeneldur
Another activity related to food that is great during the warmer months is wandering about the city’s markets, soaking up the sights and smells of the fresh local produce. Marche Victor Hugo is on every day from 06:00 to 13:00 local time except Mondays and has a number of restaurants where you can sample the market’s wares. Marche Cristal can be found on Boulevard de Strasbourg and is open on the same days and times as Victor Hugo. This is open air, which is why it is best to come in the summer.
