Toulouse

France

Things to do in Toulouse:

View the Gallery Toulouse rooftops

Toulouse Restaurants

Cheap (25)

La Nouvelle Belgique

The menu here may not be healthy but it is good: Belgian beers, chips with mayo or curry sauce, sandwiches, and fried bits and bobs. read more
Affordable (25)

Caf� Lusso

This chic brasserie is known for its exquisite cuisine. Expect simple dishes done well, including lots of meat served in beefy portions. read more
Good quality (18)

Le L

An ultra-contemporary restaurant serving arty, Asian-inspired cuisine such as wild fowl flavoured with ginger, and clementines in hot wine syrup with beer sorbet. If it's sunny, grab a table on the... read more

Toulouse Nightlife

Chilled (18)

Bar Benachine

Start the evening with an ap�ro at the popular, blue-toned Bar Benachine, a local joint that also shakes a good cocktail. read more
Live Music (14)

Le Havana Caf�

All the French stars have played this intimate venue - even Chuck Berry.�Not restricted to Latin sounds, check out the programme before your visit. read more
Clubbing (23)

Texxas Caf�

Fill up on tasty Tex-Mex food and slam some tequila shots, then push back the tables and get the party started!�Happy "hour" lasts till 9pm, so expect a crowded bar. read more

This Month in Toulouse (March):

By Samantha David

Shopping: If you've got some cash to spend, make a beeline to chic frock shop Sonia Fernandez. All the big designer names are here, just begging to be bought. If your means don't meet the price tags, go next door to cheaper sister store Sonia Light (2 Rue Victor Hugo, tel: 05 6121 8410).

Sightseeing: The South American Film Festival CineLatino (19-28 March) dominates Toulouse this month, with features and shorts filling up the inspiring programme (cinelatino.com.fr).

Key areas: The Quartier Ozenne is an extraordinary jumble of modern and traditional architecture. The townhouses are magnificent, as is the baroque Church Saint Exup�re, which has a huge organ and some deafening bells.

Day trips: Cordes sur Ciel is a fortified village an hour's drive from Toulouse, boasting a museum of items made from sugar and chocolate. It's a beautiful town and the views are fab. Practice your photography or buy some of the art dotted around the streets (cordesurciel.eu).

Toulouse News & Gossip

The Big Snow Festival in Toulouse

14-21 MAR
TOULOUSE

Are the long, cold winter months already leaving you longing for the euphoria of the summer music festivals? Fortunately you don't have to wait too long for a musical extravaganza, and this one has a twist - it's in a ski resort. At Andorra's top wintersports destination, Arinsal (about three hours drive from Toulouse airport), music- and snow-lovers can get stuck in to a week-long music festival put on by the organisers of the UK's sell-out The Big Reunion.

Carve through the snow and sip a refreshing beer to the sounds of big-name DJs including Calvin Harris, Judge Jules and Kissdafunk, spinning tunes on the decks throughout the day and night. www.thebigsnowfestival.com

Toulouse Trivia

March: Local tradition maintains that Queen Brunehaut, the sixth-century ruler of the Visigoths, founded the 12th-century village of Bruniquel.
February: Toulouse is getting all artistic and has submitted a bid to be the European Capital of Culture in 2013.
January: Building work on the Capitole began way back in 1190. The building houses not only the Mairie (Toulouse town council), but also a theatre.