Capital of the French Department of the Haute Garonne and administrative center of the region of the Midi-Pyrenees, Toulouse is one of the largest and most important cities in France. It’s ancient name is Tolosa in the Occitan language.

The French also have a special name for the city of Toulouse, they call it “la ville rose” (the pink town). And when visiting the city the reason is obvious - most of the buildings are build with a typical local pink brick!

The climate of Toulouse can be considered to be temperate, primarily due to its location mid-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. Its climate is therefore characterised as being warm and dry in summer with relatively mild autumns and winters.

There are three important winds which blow across the city: firstly there is the west wind, which brings with it a lot of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. Then there is the wind known as the “Autan” which blows from the south-east. This wind is hot and dry. Finally there is the wind coming from the north, blowing much less frequently, but it is cold and dry. The Autan is often called by the locals “the maddening wind” or “the devil’s wind”, since it affects everything in its path, apparently affecting the normal calmness of the inhabitants, both human and animal, making them much less calm!

More than a metropolis, Toulouse is a major technology center specializing in aeronautics, aerospace, telecommunications and medicine. The city is also the European capital of the aerospace industry. Yet she continues to diversify, particularly in the domain of medical research, with the planned “Canceropole”. Toulouse is also the next largest university town after Paris.

From a historical perspective, Toulouse also possesses several major features, perhaps the oldest being the bridge known as the “Pont-Neuf” (actually “New Bridge” in English), and also of course the renowned Canal du Midi which passes right through the center of the town. Both were constructed during the seventeenth century. Then there is the incredible Capitole edifice, constructed in the eighteenth century. There is also a huge amount of more contemporary history, such as the impressive Aerospatiale works, created in 1927, for which guided tours are available.

Toulouse is also the weather capital of France and is home to the national meteorological center. It was set up in the city in 1982 and since then has been responsible for predicting the weather for the whole of the country.

Toulouse and violets - the two words are almost synonymous, since Toulouse is home to the violet, with the little flower and all its sweet and fragrant derivatives being spotted throughout the city, whether in the form of flowers, confectionery or perfume.

With regard to festivals, Toulouse is one of the main centers in Europe, hosting a variety of internationally-known festivals throughout the year, particularly in the musique domain. Yet another reason the city is an important tourist destination. Then there are centers and concert halls such as the Zenith, the Mediatheque and the Congress Center. More recently constructed are the Abattoirs modern art museum and the impressive Cite de l’Espace.

The Cite de l’Espace, located on the outskirts of the city, is a large expense of land dedicated to the exploration of space in all its many manifestations. Here you will find a reconstructed Mir space station, an Arianne rocket and a whole host of satellites and rockets to discover. And one mustn’t forget the very impressive IMAX three-dimensional cinema and planetarium. There is nothing quite so spectacular in the whole of Europe - an incredible family day out or place of study for school children.

Culturally, Toulouse is a European city second to none, particularly on the musical scene. The Capitole theatre is home to an internationally-renowned orchestra, opera and ballet with world-class productions held on a regular basis. Summer also sees guest appearances from musicians from around the world, making this an ideal destination for those artistically inclined. The National Theatre is also an impressive venue in its new building in the center of the city, boasting an impressive year-round programme.