Dusky pink spires and coral-colored shop fronts fill old town Toulouse, epitomizing the warm and sunny disposition of the city.
Renting a car from Toulouse Airport can take you through all the local highlights and to the wider Haute-Garonne area, helping to make the most of your time in France.
Admire the architecture
In Toulouse, color isn’t the only stand-out feature of the city’s architecture. To the east of the main square you’ll find the majestic Capitole – Toulouse’s decorated city hall. This impressive neoclassical building is constructed from the town’s iconic pink brick, complete with bone-white columns.
Inside, you’ll find the late 19th-century Salle des Illustres, a grandiose domed hallway which was embellished by artists including Henri Martin. This is also home to Théâtre du Capitole, France’s most prestigious opera venue.
Stroll along the river and you’ll come to Toulouse Cathedral, or 'Cathédrale Saint-Étienne'. Built in a Gothic style, this towering structure features ornate, stained-glass and rose-shaped windows. Step inside to see tapestries, paintings and an organ that emerges from the wall, 55 feet above the ground.
Head into space
Since World War II, Toulouse has been at the heart of France’s aerospace industry. And this region is known not just for developing aircraft, but also components for international space programs. Cité de l’espace, located just 20 minutes from Toulouse Airport on the outskirts of the city, brings this history to life.
Explore hands-on exhibits, including a moon-running simulator, as well as a planetarium and observatory. Test your tolerance for space travel in a rotating pod and visit the cinema where you can immerse yourself in a space mission. You’ll also see full-scale replicas of iconic spacecraft, including an Ariane 5 space rocket.
Step back in time
For a truly memorable trip, drive to Perpignan to see peach, tangerine and lemon-colored buildings lining the streets, and experience a unique blend of French and Spanish culture due to its close proximity to the border. There are a wealth of historical sights to explore here, too.
Dating back to Roman times, today you can still see the 13th-century Citadelle, the 14th-century old town (vielle ville) and the 19th-century new town (ville nueve). The Mallorcan King’s Palace, which blends Romanesque and Gothic styles, takes up almost a full quarter of the old town. Make your way up to the top for views of the snow-capped Pyrenees.
Straight out of the pages of a fairy tale, meanwhile, Carcassonne is a hilltop town believed to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. This magical destination is just over an hour’s drive from Toulouse Airport along the A61, and is perfect for a romantic escape.
La Cité is the medieval heart of the town, situated on the banks of the River Aude, and the walled area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Walk across the drawbridge and amble through the cobbled streets, gazing up at the 52 towers which surround you.
All this and more is at your fingertips, with car rental at Toulouse Airport.