Bed and Breakfast hotels in Toulouse

Nestled in the beautiful south-western corner of France near Carcassonne and Montpellier, beautiful Toulouse – once an important stopping point for pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostello – has much to be discovered in terms of culture, architecture (especially religious) and history. The atmosphere of Toulouse is so relaxed - typically southern French - and yet the city is full of hustle and bustle, making it perfect for a short break or longer stay.

Toulouse is a very old city. Human settlement in Toulouse has been dated back as far as 8th Century BC, meaning it is jam-packed full of history, both of its people and its buildings, many of which have been beautifully preserved and restored. Its amenities, however, are far from outdated. This stunning region is now the capital of the Midi-Pyrenees and boasts a distinct and eclectic mix of old and new, with its chic boutiques settling alongside its traditional market halls and quirky cathedrals. With six Campanile hotels in Toulouse (an indication of its popularity), you will never be short of a comfortable place to lay your head after a long day of exploration.

A two-day break:

With only two days to explore Toulouse, it’s that mix of old and new that needs to be discovered. Why not take one day to explore the beautiful architecture and one to explore the region’s more contemporary artistic side ? Toulouse boasts its own centre for modern and contemporary art (called Les Abattoirs) which even opens its doors for free every first Sunday of the month. As for the architecture, it really is all around you – every street and corner of Toulouse boasts something fantastic to be discovered so take a stroll and take it all in. Hotel Campanile TOULOUSE OUEST - Purpan is the closest to the town centre making sure you make the most of your stay.

A week-long stay:

With a week to explore Toulouse, we recommend a spot of retail therapy. From market-style stalls offering uniquely beautiful crafts and traditional foods, to high street clothes shops and chic boutiques, Toulouse really does have it all. You’re positive to find some breath-taking souvenirs of your visit, both to give to loved ones and keep for yourself ! After some exhausting shopping, there’s nothing better than to take advantage of the 160 parks and gardens Toulouse has to offer. Whatever the weather, the region is home to some of the most beautiful rustic pathways and walking trails both on its outskirts and in its very centre. Toulouse has a wide range of cultural facets to explore including dozens of great museums – the Paul Depuy Museum, for example, boasts a wonderful collection of textiles, objects and art by painters and sculptors who hail from the region. Stay at the Hotel Campanile TOULOUSE SUD-EST - Cité de l’Espace to remain close to all the action.

A Family Break:

Toulouse is unique in that it is home to both an aircraft museum and a space/science centre, making it a fun and educational family break even with children of a variety of ages. The space centre, called Space City is just on the outskirts of the city and accessible by ring road. It boasts an IMAX cinema and a huge planetarium to name but two of its features. The aircraft museum is, amazingly, where the first Concorde was built ! These two attractions make for some breath-taking days out for children and adults alike.

Transport:

There are two airports in Toulouse, making the region accessible from most major European cities. The railway station Toulouse Matabiau is served by both regional and national trains, making it another possibility. Toulouse is very easy to get to, and is a fabulous location in Europe despite being some 300 miles from Paris. Drop your bags off at the Hotel Campanile TOULOUSE NORD - Sesquières which is easily accessible from the airport. Once arrived and settled in Toulouse, you will find that the city boasts an extensive bus system but also a metro system of automatic rubber-tired trains. There is even a tram system operating between Toulouse and Beauzelle With these options, combined with a very cost-effective bicycle hire system VéloToulouse, visitors are positively spoilt for choice.

Gastronomy:

Toulouse boasts a whole range of cafés, restaurants and eateries to suit every taste and budget. Whether you are looking for a cake and a coffee to refuel and discuss the events of your holiday so far (we recommend a café on the Place du Capitole) or a delicious and hearty meal at the end of a long day’s exploration, Toulouse really does have it all. It even has a couple of Michelin-starred restaurants for those who really want to sample French cuisine in style. No trip to Toulouse is complete without sampling their famous ‘cassoulet’, a delicate mix of duck, pork and white beans. If this doesn’t take your fancy, their selection of sausages and foie gras certainly will.

Events:

As the fourth largest metropolitan area in France, Toulouse attracts visitors in extremely large quantities. When hosting its many festivals and events, Toulouse becomes a cultural melting pot for all aspects of France’s dance, theatre and musical talent. Toulouse d’Ete, which takes place in August, is a fantastic spectacle bringing hundreds of musicians together to perform in some of the most picturesque settings in Toulouse (and, we think, in all of France). But Toulouse is far from subdued in the winter months – November sees the region hosting one of the biggest and most reputable antiques fairs in the country as well as a spectacular Christmas market.

Interesting fact:

Toulouse is often referred to as the ‘greenest’ city in Europe in terms of eco-friendliness. It has free, electric-powered shuttle buses throughout the city and boasts over 200km of cycle track, making it extremely easy for any visitor to or resident of Toulouse to be conscious of their carbon footprint.

Useful links:

http://motherearthtravel.com/france/toulouse/history.htm