Toulouse

Toulouse is a major city in southwestern France, set on the Garonne River and known as La Ville Rose (“the Pink City”) for the warm, rosy hue of its brick buildings. It blends a lively student atmosphere with a strong aerospace and technology presence—Airbus has major operations nearby, and the city is a European hub for aviation and space research. The historic center features landmarks such as the Basilique Saint-Sernin, one of Europe’s largest Romanesque churches, and the Place du Capitole, a grand square anchored by the city hall and theater. Toulouse also offers canals, riverside walks, and a relaxed café culture, with easy access to the Pyrenees and the broader Occitanie region.

• Nicknamed “La Ville Rose” (the Pink City) because many buildings are made from pinkish terracotta bricks.
• Home to Europe’s aerospace hub: Airbus has major facilities there, and the city hosts the Cité de l’Espace space museum.
• The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, starts/ends in Toulouse and links the Garonne River toward the Mediterranean.