Toulouse: La Ville en Rose

Toulouse, la ville en rose... this charming city has been one of my favorites in France so far! While bustling, it is several levels calmer than the streets of Paris. Located down south, it's slightly warmer too, and the brown and pink buildings (which give Toulouse its nickname) add to that feeling of warmth. It very French but with Spanish culture mixed in.

 Luckily, I have a wonderful friend who grew up in Toulouse, and she was an amazing guide during my few days there!

 Our first day we toured the city center, taking in the shops, the Christmas market, and a local tea salon. I was already in love!

One of the things I really enjoyed about Toulouse was the variety of cute, kitchy, local shops filled with all sorts of beautiful bits and bobs. I got more Christmas shopping done there than in Paris! 

Le Capitol (The Town Hall) was lit up for the Holidays 

I loved the lights at the Christmas market

Day 2: The second day we made our way to a few of the more touristy cites. It was great being able to walk absolutely everywhere. We took a quick trip inside of the Couvent de Jacobins, looked at St. Sernin and Le Capitol from the outside, and then had dinner with some of Emma's French friends. We walked everywhere. Toulouse is a relatively small city, though there is a metro line if you are looking to get across quickly from one side to the other.

Inside the Couvent des Jacobins 

 One of my favorite photos. 

The Japanese Garden 

The Garonne runs through the center of Toulouse much like La Seine does in Paris. Even in December there were plenty of people still sitting along the sides of the banks enjoying lunch and a bottle of wine. 

I've developed a love for flower shops. 

Day 3:

My third day in Toulouse coincided with one of the protests by the Gilet Jeunes, so we weren't entirely sure how the day would be disrupted.

After a lay in, a pleasant stroll through the Jardin des Plantes and a quick burger and pastry for lunch, we walked across the river, away from the city center and towards the other side of Toulouse to one of the art galleries where they were having a Christmas market. The gallery was quite unique,  and the exhibits were certainly modern. However, while we were there, we started hearing whispers about the protest beginning, so we made our way back to Emma's apartment, and took the metro to meet her parents slightly outside of Toulouse.

Side-note on the Gilet Jeunes, being in Paris and then in Toulouse, I have been lucky enough not to have been too directly impacted by their protests. If something similar happens to you in France, or anywhere for that matter, just be smart about it. Try to be aware of your surroundings, and if you're concerned or feel unsafe, it's okay to have a quiet day at home.. or maybe check out something away from the city center or government buildings, that's usually where protests take place.

Emma's family home was incredibly charming. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her parents and spend time with them. It was good French practice for me too, though there was a hiccup with my French when I mixed up the words for snow and clouds. I ended up asking whether there were clouds in the sky (as it was currently raining) while I was trying to ask if it ever snowed. They made me feel like part of the family - I even got to help put up all of the Christmas decorations! Each meal they cooked something traditionally French. It was amazing, and such a treat. Honestly my friends and their families have been incredibly welcoming to me the past few months. I hope one day I can return the favor!

Day 4: My last day down South, we took a short drive to the Medieval castle of Carcasonne. It was like stepping back in time. They were even having a special festival for the holidays that included people dressing up and re-enacting medieval jousts and the like. We toured the castle and the winding streets of the town. If you have access to a car its certainly a great day trip!

Some views from inside the castle 

My proudest moment was being able to understand when someone explained to me that they used to throw pots of hot oil from the top of the castle walls to the invaders below. 

The people there in character were really into their roles! 

Toulouse was incredible, and I hope you'll be able to make your way down there one day! One of my favorite places I've had the opportunity to visit so far. If you buy your train tickets early, they can be  as little as 15 euros each way. My train tickets were actually cheaper than bus tickets! Toulouse seems beautiful anytime of year.  Make sure if you while you're there that if you want a pain au chocolat  you call it a chocolattine instead!