What to Do in Toulouse After Our Food & History Tour — 2025 Local Guide
If you’ve joined us for the Toulouse Food & History Tour with a Chef, you’ve already discovered the city through its seven most iconic landmarks, seven historical stories, and seven traditional — and delicious — bites along the way. Over the course of the morning, we explored the 16th-century courtyard of l’Hôtel d’Assézat, admired the views from le Quai de la Daurade, discovered the Southern Gothic gem of le Couvent des Jacobins, stood in the heart of the city at Place du Capitole, shared the Jean Calas story at Place Saint-Georges, enjoyed cheese by the brutalist Marché Victor Hugo, and ended beneath the largest Romanesque temple in the world — the majestic Basilique Saint-Sernin.
By now, you’ve tasted, seen, and felt a true slice of Toulouse life — but there’s so much more waiting to be explored once the tour ends. During our walk, we mentioned several great ideas to keep discovering the city’s art, history, and daily rhythm at your own pace. Whether you’re staying for an afternoon or a few extra days, these experiences will help you dive even deeper into the Pink City’s soul.
Here’s a quick recap of our top 10 things to see and do in Toulouse after the tour — from world-class museums to quiet river sunsets and our favorite spots to unwind like a local.
Top 10 Things to Do in Toulouse After the Food & History Tour (2025 Local Guide)
1. Visit the Bemberg Foundation
Housed inside the elegant Hôtel d’Assézat — the very first stop of our tour — the Fondation Bemberg is, in our opinion, the best fine arts museum in Toulouse. It showcases the private collection of Georges Bemberg, an Argentinian art collector, writer, and philanthropist who devoted his life to gathering exceptional works of European art. His vision was to create a museum that felt personal and intimate, and that’s exactly what this space offers.
The first floor highlights Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces from the 16th and 17th centuries, while the upper level focuses on Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works — including pieces by Monet, Bonnard, and Vuillard. Don’t miss the chance to cross the bridge inside the mansion for a higher view of the courtyard and its pastel façade.
Open Tuesday to Sunday until 6 p.m., admission is €16 for adults and €12 for retirees.
2. Explore the Musée des Jacobins
📍 Couvent des Jacobins, 10 Place des Jacobins, 31000 Toulouse
🌐 jacobins.toulouse.fr
During the tour, we admired the majestic church of the Couvent des Jacobins, a 13th-century masterpiece of Southern Gothic architecture and the resting place of Saint Thomas Aquinas. But if you haven’t yet explored the full museum, it’s well worth returning for a deeper look.
The Musée des Jacobins gives access to the serene cloister, the sacristy, and several rooms that reveal what daily life was like for the Dominican monks who lived here through the Middle Ages. You’ll also discover fascinating exhibits about the convent’s architecture, its role in Toulouse’s intellectual and religious history, and the delicate art and manuscripts preserved within its walls.
The combination of stone, light, and silence makes it one of the city’s most peaceful and evocative spaces. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and tickets cost €5.
3. Step Inside the Capitole — La Salle des Illustres
📍 1, rue Place du Capitole, 31000 Toulouse
🌐 toulouse-tourisme.com
We’ve already admired the grand façade of the Capitole, Toulouse’s 18th-century neoclassical masterpiece and the beating heart of the city. But stepping inside reveals an entirely different side of this iconic building. Beyond its Renaissance courtyard lies the Salle des Illustres, the Capitole’s magnificent ceremonial hall.
Inspired by the Galerie des Glaces in Versailles, the room showcases frescoes and sculptures by leading artists from the late 19th century. Its ceiling and wall paintings celebrate Toulouse’s history, art, and landscapes. The highlight is the series of giant post-impressionist frescoes by Henri Martin, which capture the Garonne River and the city’s right bank as seen from Saint Cyprien.
The Capitole is open daily until 6:30 p.m., and entrance is free. However, it often closes unexpectedly for weddings, municipal votes, or official receptions. On weekends, up to ten weddings can take place each morning! If you find it closed, enjoy a coffee or tea nearby at Le Bibent or La Florida and try again later.
4. Visit the Airbus Aeroscopia Museum
During the tour, we spoke about Lignes Latécoère, l’Aéropostale, Air France, and Airbus — four key chapters that turned Toulouse into Europe’s aviation capital. To experience that legacy up close, head to the Aeroscopia Museum in Blagnac, just northwest of the city near the airport.
The museum offers an extraordinary journey through the history of flight, from the pioneering aircraft of the early 20th century to today’s cutting-edge models. You’ll see full-size planes like the Airbus A300, the Super Guppy, and, most impressively, the legendary Concorde — the supersonic jet that once connected Paris and New York in just three hours. Visitors can even step inside the Concorde’s cabin for a rare look at aviation luxury and innovation.
Aeroscopia is open every day until 6 p.m., and tickets cost €15 for adults. You can reach it by tram from the city center, though a Bolt or Uber is usually the easiest way to get there.
5. Discover the Space Museum — La Cité de l’Espace
Toulouse is not only the aviation capital of Europe — it’s also the largest aerospace hub on the continent. The city is home to top engineering schools such as ISAE-Supaero, and many students who come here to study space engineering end up staying, recruited by Toulouse’s leading space companies. The biggest employers include Airbus Space, Thales, and CNES, the French National Centre for Space Studies, which oversees the country’s civil space program.
To experience this modern legacy, visit La Cité de l’Espace, a museum and interactive park entirely dedicated to space exploration. Visitors can explore a life-size replica of the MIR space station, walk through Ariane and Soyuz launch modules, and enjoy immersive exhibits, simulators, and planetarium shows. It’s a fascinating experience for both kids and adults.
The museum is open every day, until 6 p.m. on weekends and Mondays, and until 5 p.m. on other days. Tickets cost €29 for adults.
6. Visit La Chapelle des Carmélites
We passed by Rue de Périgord on our way from stop six to stop seven of the tour, but didn’t step inside — and it’s truly worth returning for. The Chapelle des Carmélites is one of Toulouse’s hidden gems, a masterpiece of baroque art and devotion.
Built in the early 17th century, during the Wars of Religion, the chapel was part of a broader effort to reaffirm Catholicism in the city. It’s all that remains of the original Carmelite convent, which was destroyed during the French Revolution.
Inside, every inch of the space is covered in stunning fresco paintings and richly decorated wooden ceilings, depicting scenes from the Old Testament in vivid, dramatic color. The atmosphere feels timeless — quiet, contemplative, and visually overwhelming in the best way.
Entrance is free, and the chapel is open Tuesday to Sunday, closing on Mondays like most Toulouse monuments.
7. Cross to the Left Bank — La Grave, Raymond VI, and the Contemporary Art Museum
Across the Garonne from the historic center lies Toulouse’s Left Bank, home to some of the city’s most striking landmarks and cultural spaces. The skyline here is dominated by the Dôme de La Grave, part of the former hospital complex built in the 12th century to care for pilgrims and the poor. Its green dome has become one of Toulouse’s most photographed symbols.
Just next to it, the Jardin Raymond VI offers peaceful walks with unbeatable views over the river — especially beautiful at sunset. It’s also the only place in Toulouse where you can still see the original medieval brick ramparts, preserved along the park’s edge. The city’s right-bank walls were demolished in the 19th century, making this a rare glimpse into the fortifications that once surrounded La Ville Rose.
Within the same complex stands Les Abattoirs, Toulouse’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century slaughterhouse. Inside, you’ll find rotating exhibitions featuring French and international artists, alongside a permanent collection that includes a monumental Picasso tapestry.
Together, La Grave, Raymond VI, and Les Abattoirs capture the Left Bank’s blend of history, art, and quiet charm — a must-visit trio for any Toulouse explorer.
8. Enjoy the Sunset from Le Quai de la Daurade
Few places capture the magic of Toulouse like Le Quai de la Daurade at sunset. This riverside promenade, located just steps from the Capitole district, is one of the city’s most beloved gathering spots. As the sun dips behind the Left Bank, the sky lights up in shades of pink, gold, and violet — illuminating the Dôme de La Grave and the graceful arches of the Pont Saint-Pierre. It’s a light show that locals never tire of.
You can simply stroll along the quay and take in the view, or bring along some cheese, charcuterie, and a bottle of wine for an impromptu picnic on the grass by the river. For something a bit more comfortable, grab a seat at Les Pêcheurs de Sable, the open-air buvette on the dock, and enjoy a glass of wine as Toulouse’s famous pink glow fades into twilight.
9. Have a Glass of Quinquina at Au Père Louis
📍 45 Rue des Tourneurs, 31000 Toulouse
🌐 instagram.com/au_pere_louis
Founded in 1889, Au Père Louis is Toulouse’s oldest wine bar — a true local institution. With its deep red wooden walls, art nouveau interior, and timeworn charm, this beloved spot has been serving Toulousains for well over a century. It’s the kind of place where conversation flows as easily as the wine, and where every bottle tells a story.
The wine list is extensive and well-curated, complemented by a small but delicious selection of tapas and local bites. But what you really come here for is their house-made, barrel-aged quinquina — a fortified wine infused with quinine bark, herbs, and spices.
Quinquina has deep roots in Toulouse’s café culture, once enjoyed as both an aperitif and a tonic. Smooth, slightly bitter, and wonderfully aromatic, it’s the city’s most traditional drink — and nowhere serves it better than Au Père Louis.
10. Stroll Through the Connected Gardens — Jardin des Plantes, Jardin Royal & Grand Rond
If you’re looking for a peaceful escape after a busy morning in the city, head to Toulouse’s trio of historic green spaces: the Jardin des Plantes, Jardin Royal, and Grand Rond. These three gardens are beautifully connected by pedestrian bridges, forming a continuous park that feels like Toulouse’s very own Central Park — but in miniature and with southern French charm.
The Jardin des Plantes dates back to the 18th century and was once the city’s botanical garden. It’s now a family favorite, filled with fountains, sculptures, and shaded paths. The Jardin Royal, with its geometric layout and elegant pond, offers a more refined atmosphere, while the Grand Rond is perfect for sitting under century-old trees and watching locals pass by on bicycles.
It’s the ideal spot to unwind, enjoy nature, and see a quieter, greener side of La Ville Rose — all within a short walk from the city center.
Final Thoughts — Keep Exploring Toulouse
Our Toulouse Food & History Tour gives you a taste of the city’s essence — its flavors, stories, and people. But as you’ve just seen, that’s only the beginning. Beyond the seven stops we explore together, Toulouse offers a world of experiences waiting just around the corner. From art-filled museums and sunset walks along the Garonne to quiet chapels, leafy gardens, and lively wine bars, every corner of La Ville Rose invites you to slow down and soak it all in.
Whether you’re an art lover, a history enthusiast, or simply here to eat well and wander, there’s no shortage of ways to keep discovering Toulouse after the tour. So take your time — follow your curiosity, get a little lost, and let the city surprise you.
And if you’re already planning your next meal, don’t miss our guide to the Top 5 Best Lunch Menus in Toulouse — 2025 Edition (According to Local Foodies) for more delicious ideas on where to eat next.
