Toulouse: the city where life is rosy

Rose-pink in the morning, salmon at lunchtime, raspberry for the aperitif, ochre in the evening: this is the warm atmosphere that reigns in the alleyways of the Ville Rose. Toulouse has this nickname because it was built exclusively of terracotta bricks known as "foraine". Since then, pink has stuck to the city's skin in all its shades.

The Garonne and Toulouse are one and the same. This river, both capricious and majestic, is a great place to stroll, laze and picnic on the right bank in fine weather. The left bank and Pont-Neuf are famous for its UNESCO-listed old hospital and Saint-Sernin basilica. Two other sites line the left bank: the old water tower and the former abattoirs, now a museum of modern art.

In the Ville Rose, there is no town hall, but rather a majestic Capitole. An emblematic gathering place, the Place du Capitole links all the lively streets that are characteristic of the old town. The monument also houses the town hall, a theatre and ceremonial rooms. The neoclassical facade of the Capitol is surrounded by churches, buildings and hotels.

Warning! Don't you dare ask for a 'pain au chocolat' in a bakery when you're in Toulouse. Here, there's no debate: this delicious pastry is called a "chocolatine". In addition to its sweet flavours, Toulouse knows how to be generous and gourmet. It is one of France's most famous cities for gourmets. It makes the most of its rich fishing, farming and livestock resources. Its fresh produce includes pike, trout, crayfish, beans, porcini mushrooms, strawberries, melons, beef, pork, etc.

A plethora of regional products can be found on the local market (magrets, foie gras, confits, sausages, etc.). As for prepared dishes, cassoulet is at the top of Toulouse's gastronomic rankings. This dish is made from mutton or lamb with white beans and sausages - from Toulouse, of course!

A festive city (and not just during rugby matches), Toulouse has plenty of bars where you can enjoy an evening out with friends. Several districts are more lively than others: the Gabriel Péri - Saint-Aubin district, the Place Saint-Pierre - Capitole (located in the heart of the city centre, this square attracts hundreds of Toulousans and visitors), Saint-Cyprien (located on the left bank, this district is popular with students), the Carmes district (located in the heart of the city's historic centre, this is the ideal place to party).

It may come as a surprise, but it is possible to travel to Japan while staying in Toulouse. Hard to believe, but true. Nestling in the Compans-Caffarelli business district, a garden is taking on a Japanese feel. It has a surprising Zen garden with a tea pavilion, a red bridge and dragon, and a 7-hectare Japanese garden. As well as taking its inspiration from the Kyoto garden for a touch of the exotic, it is home to several species of bird, including a phoenix.