What are the essential activities to do in Toulouse this winter?
Toulouse is a city on the move. Whatever the season, multiple activities are on the program. Alone, with friends or family, the Pink City offers gourmet getaways as well as sporting, cultural and enchanting getaways. The Independent Opinion one selected six unmissable activities to do in Toulouse this winter.
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Take a last trip to the Christmas Markets
These are the last days to take advantage of the different Toulouse Christmas Markets. Open until December 25, six Christmas markets are spread across the Pink City. The most popular: the irreplaceable Capitol Christmas Market. Open until December 25, it offers access to no less than 93 chalets. Food, shops, games, catering… Enough to spend hours in a magical setting on the Place du Capitole.
Not far from there, Toulouse residents can also go to the Christmas market in Square Charles-de-Gaulle. Ideally located at the level of the Capitol keep, 14 white chalets welcome visitors. Approaching the Jean-Jaurès district, on the Ramblas, it is the village of Creators that welcomes visitors. On site, around twenty chalets dedicated to craftsmen and creators as well as two chalets allocated to local producers await them.
Pour a artisanal and solidarity Christmas market, go to Allées Jules-Guesde. An opportunity for Toulouse residents to meet craftsmen, producers, associations animated by the spirit of Christmas but also by the Solidarity and Social Economy. Finally, two other markets are located on Place du Salin and Place Saint Pierre. On the program: gourmet chalets, rides and attractions for young and old.
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Eat in an igloo or gondola at the Gourmet Wasteland
Gourmet immersion in the mountains guaranteed. Like every year, the Friche Gourmand, located in Montaudran, is going into winter mode and taking gourmets on board in a mountain chalet atmosphere. And for this new season, the food-court will delight foodies from decoration to plate.
As for the taste buds, raclette, mountain bagels, Savoyard pizzas and other melt-in-the-mouth delights await gourmets. For dessert, roasted marshmallows are among others offered on the menu. But what seduces Toulouse residents even more is its unusual setting. Indeed, they have the choice to eat in an igloo and even in real gondolas straight from the three valleys. In addition, many completely frosty activities and entertainment are offered on site.
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Celebrate winter at the Doudoune club
Toulouse residents will be able to enjoy it until the end of March. The Doudoune Club guinguette awaits epicureans in its heated tents installed at Cours Dillon. The credo: have a good time wrapped up in a down jacket. Bon vivants can dance there, chat around the refreshment bar, but also eat. On the menu: oysters, tapas, raclette, burger and hot chocolate. Appointment from Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Surf on the ice
This is an activity that will only appeal to the most adventurous. Toulouse has several ice rinks. Some are ephemeral, this is the case with the Capitol Christmas Market ice rink. Sliding enthusiasts can indulge themselves there on a surface of 250 m2 but above all, in a magical setting. Like the market, it is only accessible until December 25. Count five euros for 45 minutes, skates included. To enjoy the ice throughout the winter, go to the Alex Janis ice rinks in Argoulets or Blagnac. These two large structures invite Toulouse residents to put on their skates almost throughout the year for unforgettable memories and guaranteed laughter.
Fall in love with Madame Raclette
Raclette fans will see life in pink. An essential winter tradition, this dish is the star of the “Madame Raclette” restaurant. On the menu, a lot of cheese, potatoes and charcuterie or even salmon or even truffles! There is something for everyone, even for vegetarians. For sweet cravings, Madame Raclette also awaits gourmets. On the menu, they will have the choice between chocolate mousse, tiramisu or lemon verrine. They could also stop there to warm up with a good Viennese chocolate. To take advantage of it, two addresses: 9 place du Capitole and 17 rue Lafayette. The establishment welcomes cheese lovers 7 days a week, lunch and dinner, on site or to take away.
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Dive one last time into the world of Van Gogh
Installed on July 6 in the EDF Bazacle spaces, it is one of the the most popular temporary activities in Toulouse. L’immersive exhibition dedicated to Van Gogh tire his bow this winter. An opportunity for latecomers to discover it before January 23rd. On the program: a 360° journey into the world of Dutch engineering. Visitors could thus become part of more than 300 sketches, drawings and paintings by Van Gogh. The more adventurous could also dive into a world like his paintings through a virtual reality helmet. Please note that during the Christmas holidays, opening hours are extended. The exhibition will exceptionally welcome the general public until midnight on Sunday 25 December.
>> READ ALSO: Toulouse: an unprecedented immersive exhibition on Van Gogh