Our Hotels in Toulouse

Today, with a bustling-yet-laid-back vibe, it boasts a lively culture and nightlife scene driven by students of the University of Toulouse – one of Europe's oldest, and France's fourth-largest – and an economic dynamism powered by its position as the hub of European aerospace industries. It seduces with its enchanting Vieux Quartier, UNESCO-listed monuments, rich museums and southern sun, while its location on the Canal du Midi makes it a perfect base for exploring the beautiful countryside around Toulouse.
Whatever the reason for your Toulouse visit – a romantic weekend, a family holiday or a flying business stay – you'll find the right accommodation to suit your needs from our selection of the best hotels in Toulouse.

An ideal starting point for exploration is the Capitole de Toulouse, a magnificent, 12th-century city hall that has been constantly embellished over the centuries. Venture behind its neoclassical façade to admire lavish reception rooms and the Salle des Illustres, where paintings recount the city's eventful history. The building is also home to the opera house, the Théâtre du Capitole – ask your concierge for help with tickets – and it looks out over the vast, pedestrianised Place du Capitole, central to Toulouse life, lined with cafés and regularly hosting markets and concerts. At the intersection of several major shopping streets, the square is the heart of the Site Patrimonial Remarquable de Toulouse, the heritage-protected area of the city centre that is home to most of the essential places to visit in Toulouse.
A few steps away, the Couvent des Jacobins (Jacobin Convent) is a masterpiece of southern French Gothic architecture, featuring a vault resembling a giant stone palm tree and housing the relics of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Its cloistered courtyard is a tranquil oasis for a quick break from sightseeing. The majestic Basilica of Saint Sernin, France's largest Romanesque church, is an important stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and contains many relics, including those of its martyred patron, who was dragged through the streets by a bull for refusing to participate in a pagan ritual. You can investigate more of the city's history right next to the basilica at the Musée Saint-Raymond, with Ancient Roman sculptures and archaeological exhibits. Not to be missed among the other spaces hosting exhibitions in Toulouse are the Musée des Augustins, a superb collection of fine arts in a former convent; the natural history Muséum de Toulouse, with a botanical garden and lots of activities for the kids; and the charming Musée du Vieux-Toulouse, with historical exhibits in an elegant Renaissance mansion.
Cross the broad Garonne – preferably via the beautiful stone bridge, the Pont Neuf, comprising seven arches and dating from the 17th century – to the vibrant Saint-Cyprien neighbourhood and the Les Abattoirs cultural complex. Once a slaughterhouse, its lofty space houses a major art collection spanning the 1940s to the present, as well as hosting theatre, concerts and more. Need to rest your legs? Join the locals and grab a patch of grass at riverside Prairie des Filtres. It's best in the late afternoon, when the Quais de Tounis and the Toulouse skyline across the water are bathed in a warm glow.
Its position at the heart of European aeronautics and space gives Toulouse tourism some of its biggest draws. At the vast, interactive Cité de l'espace theme park, both you and the kids can explore the solar system, step aboard the Mir Space Station and gaze up at a towering Ariane 5 rocket. You can also see mighty passenger aircraft in production on a tour of the Airbus factory, not far from Toulouse airport, or step into the cockpit of the legendary Concorde at the nearby Musée Aeroscopia.
The Garonne isn't the only landmark waterway in Toulouse. The city is the start of the Canal du Midi, which has connected Toulouse to the Mediterranean since its construction in the 17th century. You can explore on a Canal du Midi cruise or under your own steam on a Canal du Midi boat holiday, head out into the Occitanie countryside on the canal-side cycle paths, or just take a break from sun and sightseeing under the overhanging plane trees that line its banks.

As the capital of Occitanie, Toulouse brings together the best food and drink that theis fertile, sun-kissed region has to offer. At the richly laden stalls of Victor Hugo Market and others, you'll be tempted by blue Roquefort cheese from the hills of Aveyron or Tomme from the Pyrenees, truffles from Quercy and Gascon smoked duck breast. On your search for the best restaurant in Toulouse, you can choose between everything from sleek Michelin-starred eateries steered by celebrity chefs to unpretentious neighbourhood bistros. A local speciality that pops up on all sorts of menus is cassoulet, a hearty stew featuring white beans, pork, local sausage, duck and lamb breast, all slow-cooked for melt-in-the-mouth tenderness. Got a sweet tooth? The local dessert of choice is fénétra, an oval-shaped pastry made with almonds and topped with apricots and lemon peel. It pairs perfectly with café au lait.
The vast Occitanie region encompasses some of France's most famous wine-growing regions, so you'll be spoiled for choice. Fine drops from around Toulouse include red Gaillac and Cahors, white Bergerac and sweet Monbazillac, while the local wine-based brandy Armagnac rounds off any meal perfectly. The choice of bars in Toulouse is immense, with popular hotspots around Place Saint-Georges, Place Saint-Pierre and the Saint-Cyprien neighbourhood, as well as in the old town. There are chic spots affording spectacular rooftop Toulouse views, or river vistas from the scenic guinguette terraces along the banks of the Garonne in summer, which also compete to serve the best brunch in Toulouse.

Whether you're looking for a luxury 5-star Toulouse hotel with a spa and a pool, or you're after stylish but affordable accommodation close to the big sights in the city centre, we have a host of options to suit your exact requirements. Arriving late or leaving early? Choose from a range of Toulouse airport hotels – they're handy if you're here on business and need coworking space or meeting facilities close to the Airbus complex – but our hotels with shuttle services ensure you're in easy reach of the city centre. If you need to be close to the train station in Toulouse, we have options in all price categories just steps away.

Toulouse is a major rail hub, and high-speed TGV services from major cities including Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux arrive at Matabiau train station in Toulouse city centre. Flights from all over Europe service Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, and the T2 Tramway line or the Tisséo shuttle bus making getting to the city centre simple. An efficient public-transport system, with two métro lines and a network of trams and buses, will get you around the city quickly, and hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths make a bike ride in Toulouse a safe and pleasurable option.

A temperate climate makes a visit to Toulouse enjoyable at any time, although rain is possible all year round. Temperatures are usually comfortably hot in mid-summer, and this is the busiest season. Festivals in Toulouse are scattered throughout the calendar. Big music gatherings include the Festival Flamenco, usually in March-April, June's Rio Loco world music festival and Les Siestes Électroniques, with electronic music, plus Piano aux Jacobins taking place in September.