Toulouse, the Pink City, Under the Gaze of OVYO, a 4-Star Boutique Hotel in the Heart of the Historic City Center

Toulouse, the Pink City of France—so named for the pink and luminous color of its medieval bricks—is a vibrant mix of old and new. Renaissance mansions line the streets of the old town, where the 12th-century Campanile of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin stands as a must-see landmark, and elegant old bridges span the Garonne. But Toulouse is just as much a 21st-century city, as the European aerospace capital and home to Airbus Industries. It is a university town, giving local life a youthful edge. Toulouse is also a gastronomic hub, and locals boast that their cassoulet—a stew of beans, sausages, pork, and duck—is the best that France has to offer, best enjoyed in the freshness of autumn or on a winter’s day.

Below, we’ve outlined nearby discoveries around the OVYO Boutique Hotel that will allow you to experience Toulouse through its gastronomy, cultural and social life, festive events, and even sports.

1 - WATER SPORTS & SPOTS

Are you a fan of gliding and thrills? Toulouse and its surroundings offer dedicated spots for water sports that make the experience fun and unique. Canoeing, wakeboarding, boating, water skiing… Certainly, there are no seas or waves here, but there are numerous water bodies and original ideas!

Water Skiing on the Garonne Have you always dreamed of water skiing in the city center? In Toulouse, it's possible! The Péniche Ski Club welcomes you every day from noon to 8 PM for gliding sessions on the Garonne. You’ll be quickly towed by a boat, passing the Pont Neuf, greeting the strollers at La Daurade, and the revelers at Place Saint-Pierre. Just avoid falling! Besides water skiing sessions, the club also offers Stand Up Paddle lessons and even group buoy rides. So, will you take the plunge?

Boating on the Canal du Midi Don’t have a boat license? No worries! NaviCanal can lend you small, easy-to-drive, and eco-friendly electric boats. At a relaxed pace, you can enjoy the banks and surroundings of the Canal for a two-hour ride, whether alone, with a partner, or up to five people.

2 - A DIP IN TOULOUSE?

In the summer, temperatures in Toulouse can rise above 30°C. So, it’s good to know a few places where you can cool off in the heart of the city: swimming pools, lakes, rivers, beaches—here are a few ideas for taking a dip or cooling off!

ALONE ON THE SAND: Toulouse Beach All summer until the end of August, the Prairie des Filtres in the city center transforms into Toulouse Beach with daily activities from 10 AM to 9 PM. A nautical space, open to all, allows you to enjoy the pleasure of navigating the Garonne in a canoe, kayak, or rowboat. A Beach area offers sports activities on the sand such as rugby, football, volleyball, or tennis. You can also do yoga, dance, or read a good book on a sunbed while occasionally refreshing yourself under giant misters.

3 - TOULOUSE: THE EPHEMERAL AND FESTIVE SPOTS OF SUMMER

In Toulouse during the summer, pop-up cafes, bars, and restaurants spring up like mushrooms! Here’s a sneak peek at the best concepts and addresses to enjoy the warm weather and have a great time!

A Fabulous Cruise Every Thursday at 8 PM, head to the Péniche Samsara for Fabulous Cruises. They welcome night owls for three hours of gourmet and festive cruising on the Canal du Midi. Each week features a new DJ who turns the boat's deck into a real dance floor.

A Musical Garden For the past three years, the Jardins de l’Olympe has been setting up a beautiful lounge area with an outdoor bar for aperitifs in the open air. Here, you’ll encounter not only families dining at the restaurant but also locals in their thirties gathering for an afterwork. With sofas and low tables, the service is relaxed yet efficient.

An Electric Island Located on the Ramier Island by the Garonne and in an old power plant, La Centrale reopens to the public for a new summer. Enjoy a glass of sangria and some Andalusian tapas on the beach and breathe in the fresh air by the Garonne.

4 - TAPAS & TERRACE IN TOULOUSE

In the Pink City, the proximity to Spain has made tapas aperitifs a must! So, as soon as the first rays of spring sunshine appear, Toulousains flock to terraces to enjoy and share good dishes. So, would you also like a gourmet spot in the sun?

The South-West in the Sun: Pintxos Galore: L’Extrapade Head across the Garonne to a lively square: that of l’Estrapade. The restaurant almost took its name from it, just swapping the ‘X’ in pintxos for an ‘X’ to become l’Extrapade. Enjoy small bites, often in the form of a slice of bread topped with a small serving of food.

Gourmet Tapas: L’Avant Marius For an afterwork, enjoy the chef’s savory dishes on the terrace. Bold and original combinations like tuna, foie gras, soy, or black pork rillettes, apricot, and prune.

5 - STROLLING IN TOULOUSE’S GARDENS

Do you know these little green spaces the city offers to Toulousains? They are charming, festive, refreshing, sporty, and even educational. In any case, they allow the residents of the Pink City to enjoy nature. Let’s take a little tour of the gardens.

Compans-Caffarelli Garden: Musical and Traveler The Compans-Caffarelli Garden has two faces. Entering, you’ll notice right away. First, it opens onto a vast public garden of 10 hectares with play areas, a pond, and a fountain that contrasts with the blue sky in summer. This is where the Siestes Electroniques hold their annual festival. Comfortably seated on a picnic blanket or dancing to DJ sets, you enjoy the outdoor festival and the sun, also exploring the surroundings. Then, cross the little red bridge to discover the second garden, Japanese, with its tea pavilion and oriental plants that transport you to the Land of the Rising Sun. After electro, it evokes the gardens of Kyoto.

The Plant Garden: Gourmet and Traditional Formerly a botanical garden, the Plant Garden of Toulouse, along with the Boulingrin and Jardin Royal, is one of three gardens located southeast of the hypercenter. Enter through impressive gates and walk through the garden. You’ll find statues, pretty kiosks, a carousel, and ponies for a pleasant stroll. You might also spot various animals like moorhens, ducks, geese, swans, and even a peacock, in the garden adjoining the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle. The latter also houses a lovely restaurant, Moai, where you can enjoy fresh, seasonal cuisine under the trees.

The Prairie des Filtres: Dancing and Sporting Last bucolic stop: the Prairie des Filtres. On the Left Bank of the Garonne, it attracts Toulousains from the first rays of sunshine. Enjoy a picnic with friends, play pétanque, dance salsa, or juggle. You can even try starting water skiing. In June, the Prairie des Filtres comes alive with the Rio Loco, Toulouse’s largest music festival. In summer, it also transforms to host Toulouse Beach, with its deckchairs and sports events.

6 - COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE IN TOULOUSE

Even though winters in Toulouse are mild, we love to take a break during a walk for a good coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. To keep you from shivering and to give you a well-deserved break, here are five favorite spots to visit.

Saint Sernin: A Hot Chocolate… and a Board Game! Just a few steps from the basilica entrance, Les Gourmands de Saint-Sernin offers a welcome respite right after your visit. Push open the door, sink into one of the comfortable leather armchairs, and order a large hot chocolate with a slice of cake. And if you want to extend the pleasure… board games are available!

Saint Cyprien: An Infusion… and a Good Book. Have you ventured across the Garonne and feel tired? No worries! L’Estaminot welcomes you warmly. Part second-hand bookstore, part bric-à-brac, part tea room, this bohemian and friendly space will charm you! Order a cup of tea with a tartine or a gluten-free cake.

Capitole: A Cappuccino and a Good Cake. Has a ray of sunshine appeared in the city center? Stop by to enjoy the heated terrace at Flower’s Café! First, choose your cake from the seventeen varieties displayed in the window, then order your cappuccino and settle down near the fountain on the pretty Place Salengro. Too cold? No worries! There’s space upstairs, up the stairs.

Carmes: An Artisanal Coffee! Leaning at the counter of Brûlerie des Filatiers, you’ll savor the aroma of freshly roasted coffee. This place, offering about fifteen flavors roasted on site, is a stop for espresso lovers. The most indulgent can opt for a latte, macchiato, cappuccino, or Viennese coffee, expertly prepared.

7 - CAPITOLE SQUARE IN TOULOUSE

Capitole Square is the largest square in Toulouse and the center of activity. It’s the perfect place to mingle with locals and sip a kir royal with violet, Toulouse’s specialty made with champagne and violet liqueur. The elegant arcades shield terrace-goers from summer sun and autumn showers, and Toulouse’s mild climate allows you to sit outdoors almost all year while admiring the grand 18th-century Capitole facade dominating the square. On Saturday mornings, the square hosts an outdoor market where stalls delight the senses. Some vendors even offer tastes of sausage, cheese, and wine.

8 - PORT DE LA DAURADE

La Daurade is an old river port transformed into a peaceful green space: trees for shade, lawns for lounging or picnicking, children’s playgrounds, a terrace for a coffee, and the banks to admire the Garonne.