Our good addresses for a weekend in Toulouse
In the south-west corner of France, halfway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Toulouse is an invitation to experiment with the gentle way of life specific to the South. You can explore it by bike thanks to the many Vélib stations, or better still, on foot, along the alleys with uneven cobblestones, with your nose in the air to admire the old stones or your eyes on your smartphone to find the address of a bookstore or a pastry shop. We end up yielding to the call of the many terraces and taverns that reach out to us at the bend of a small square.
Aperitif and more if agreement
Central point, the Place du Capitole is lined with restaurants overrun by tourists. By venturing into the adjacent pedestrian streets, you quickly come across gems of small restaurants. On the Place de la Bourse, for example, L’Alimentation offers fine wines and aperitif platters, while its neighbor Prima Lova adds a touch of Italian flavor to the gastronomy of the southwest, with its antipasti, pizzas and pasta with truffles. served in the pan. A very instagramable trendy place with its impressive bar with Martini, Negroni and co.
Food and Prima Lova1, Place de la Bourse.
60s rooftop bar
The decor evokes the series Mad Men, the menu is super tempting with small dishes of local products (duck or caviar from Aquitaine) or neighboring products (Iberian ham and octopus from Galicia), and of course the incredible 360° view over the city. My doe on the roof is actually the Galeries Lafayette restaurant. It can be accessed through an entrance at the rear of the building when the department store closes. The best moment: a cocktail at sunset. The place is very popular, it is better to book (possible via the site).
My deer on the roofon the top floor of Galeries Lafayette.
Cathedral versus basilica
For the poles of jewry, the city stretches between two religious buildings with its two sublime secular buildings, the Saint-Etienne cathedral and the Saint-Sernin basilica. In between, the Jacobins convent and Notre-Dame du Taur also open their doors to you, for a moment of meditation or the ritual of the little candle to make a wish.
Tea time with my cat
A local curiosity, the Chapristea offers teas and cakes in the company of cats, just like in Japan. Cuddly moments in a cozy atmosphere (there are certain rules to follow so as not to disturb the hairy regulars of the salon). Coincidence or not, a few streets away, another lady cat, Miss Teigne, sleeps in the window of a shop for geeks and budding wizards, Imagin’ères.
Chapristea4, rue Jules-Chalande, imagin’eres17, rue Sainte-Ursule.
Country of the duck… and the violet
If you haven’t noticed it yet, the airport duty free will: Toulouse is the home of the violet. Small crystallized flowers to chew on like a candy or to decorate pastries, teas, jams, linens, it’s the overdose. More digestible than duck confit anyway.
Naughty and photogenic waffles
To save her Parisian restaurant closed because of the Covid, Taziana Jurdi opened a pop-up store with waffles in the shape of penises and vulvas with colored icing. Immediate success, thank you Instagram, the Quéquetterie has become a franchise of which Toulouse was one of the first to register (Lausanne has just opened its own). Hyperpop with its neon logos, the brand offers a whole series of derivative products, cups, pens, candles, funny and not vulgar. A photo is required!
The Quequetterie24 rue de Remusat
dodo design
With its modern rooms in a historic building, Hotel Le Grand Balcon offers great value for money and an ideal location, literally a stone’s throw from Place du Capitole, the nerve center of the city.
Hotel The Great Balcony8-10, rue Romiguières.
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