The town in the south called the « Pink city » is envied for its ongoing popularity: Its status as the flagship of France’s aeronautics and its easy-going lifestyle make it one of France's most sought-after cities.
Aeronautics and rugby. Two words that encapsulate Toulouse. France’s fourth city with a population of just over 420,000 is the capital of the Midi-Pyrénées region, the country’s largest. Housing the headquarters of Airbus Industries, which made the city one of its two design and manufacturing hubs, Toulouse is considered the European capital of aeronautics and space. These industries at the forefront of research sustain the image of Toulouse as a city of excellence and dynamism, as does the success of Stade Toulousain, France’s most decorated rugby club.
Charm and excellence
It’s hardly a surprise to see so many students attracted to a life on the banks of the Garonne. An intake of 140,000 at three universities and 14 grandes écoles makes it the leading French provincial university town. The «Pink city», so named after the bricks used in many of the 15th Century buildings, never fails to charm. The New Zealanders, Fijians and even French rugby fans who wander through the streets in 2007 will not fail to appreciate its rich gastronomy, such as the cassoulet and other duck specialities, and the cultural life of which it's so proud. The Théâtre du Capitole, home of the « Bel Canto » and opera is a must-see, as are the regular dance and theatre productions and the internationally-recognised National Orchestra.
Cathar culture
The Capitole, the soul of the city where the town hall can be found, is a symbol of the architectural heritage which led to the city being classed an artistic and historical monument (its 220 hectares of listed buildings are the largest in France). Tolosa, as it was called by the Romans when they founded it in the 4th Century BC, was strongly influenced by the Cathar tradition. The construction of the Canal du Midi under Louis XIV, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, linked the Atlantic with the Mediterranean and gave Toulouse a new momentum which built up unceasingly over time.
Population: 425,000
Agglomeration: 761,000
No 1 in Europe for aeronautics and No 2 in the world
No 2 in Europe for space
140,000 students, France’s second biggest university town
10,500 scientists in 400 research units
Departement: Haute-Garonne
Region: Midi-Pyrénées
