Forget Paris: This is a destination not to be missed in France

The people are nicer, the food tastes better, the prices are cheaper, the streets are prettier (and pink!), And even there is a direct flight from Tel Aviv. Here are all the reasons to go on a trip to Toulouse

Beautiful in pink. Toulouse (Photo: shutterstock)

Toulouse (Photo: ShutterStock)

Toulouse is not considered one of the cities that must be visited in France. In fact, most Israelis do not even think of her when they think of traveling in Europe. But it is a mistake that it is time to fix. Toulouse, the capital of Upper Garon County and the Occitania region, is one of the places you should visit, here are a few reasons.

Eiffel Turn: The places, secrets and sites that the French don't even know

Because she is not too touristy

In many European cities, the feeling is that the city center is specifically designed for tourists. People are standing outside restaurants calling tourists in, signs in English adorn every second shop, and menus full of wide-open photos to call you in. Things are different in Toulouse. It is a very large city - in fact, it is the fourth largest in France - and it is filled with tens of thousands of students who attend various universities in the city. As a result, city centers are constantly buzzing, and full of interest, but not touristy.

The city is running at its own pace, and tourists are encouraged to enjoy it, but it doesn't adapt to them. For example, all the shops in the city are closed until seven-thirty (because everyone is going to have dinner at home), and most restaurants will not find English menus at all (although waiters are very nice and not French, and would be happy to describe all the dishes in broken English). It may sound like a hassle, but the result is an authentic experience that really drives you to enjoy the city, even if it is only for a few days.

The seven and a half stores are closed, and at night the city is refilled. Toulouse Alley (Photo: shutterstock)

Toulouse (Photo: ShutterStock)

Because Toulouse runs at its own pace, it does give everything a big European city can give - restaurants, nightlife, shops and attractions - but at a different pace. Everything in Toulouse is much calmer, it doesn't have the race of a big city. You can experience any of it without feeling the need to run to get everything done. If you ask the residents of this area, this pace and this very non-Parisian experience, it runs out of the character of the southern residents, who are considered more authentic and friendly.

Because everything is more beautiful in pink

Most tour guides call Toulouse "the pink city," as most of the buildings are built of pinkish-colored flat bricks. This makes the city particularly beautiful. Aside from the pink alleys that will make any wander around the city romantic and picturesque, the city center is full of squares, each offering restaurants, bars, and just places to sit and enjoy the city, a hangout. For example, St. George's Square used to be a central market place (there are 3-4 stalls today), and today it has bakeries, bars and restaurants. In the heart of the old town is the central square, St. Roman Square, where you will find a magnificent opera building, the town hall, a market every morning, and of course - restaurants and bars.

The heart of the city. The Garon River

The Garon River in the heart of Toulouse (Photo: Ifat Sani, Walla system! NEWS)

Aside from the picturesque squares and pink buildings that give the city a postcard look, within the city is the Garon River, which makes it even more beautiful. The Garon River is the heart of the city - its waters flow within the Old City, and its docks serve as recreational sites. Besides the river you can also find the canal du midi, designated by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, as well as many parks and gardens that are open to the public.

Because of the planes

The main topic of conversation for Toulouse and the surrounding area is planes. The main concern in the city is the Airbus aircraft manufacturer - and the environment has become a crazy industry - there are more than 8,000 employees in the Toulouse field, and tens of thousands of service providers. Aside from the fact that you can't have a conversation in Toulouse without the name Airbus coming up, one of the area's main attractions is a tour of the Aeroscopy Museum.

At this 7,000-square-foot museum, you will be able to see and feel the history of the aviation field - from the first motorcycle engine, piano strings and canvas sheets, through the mythological Concord plane to the modern planes that make up Toulouse itself. On the short bus ride to hangars where aircraft are assembled, a guide will explain to you about the historical romance between Toulouse and airplanes, and when you get there you will see how you make up the planes you are flying today.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Musee Aeroscopia ✈ (@musee_aeroscopia) on Dec 21, 2019 at 9:57 am PST

A trip to Toulouse is also an opportunity to understand our universe a little better, thanks to the sessions and exhibits of the space community park, where you can see missiles, spaceships and visit the planetarium.

Because of the comforting food

The winter in Toulouse is quite cold, so the food in the area is heavy, warm, rustic and comforting. For example, the region's flagship dish is casula - a bean stew, with duck, pork and sometimes sausage. This is a kind of hamin, which comes in huge bowls. In restaurants and bars it is customary to invite her to a table and share it. Even if you don't connect to the regional hot springs, you'll find plenty of quality food in Toulouse, with a large portion of it made of geese or ducks (goose liver is one of the flagship dishes). In addition, due to the relative proximity to Spain, you will find quite a few Spanish tapas and stews in the area.

Generally in Toulouse there are loads of restaurants, of kitchens from all over the world as well as of more classic French kitchens, and because the city lives the students who live there, the prices are not very expensive. This may explain the fact that they are always full.

A two-hour tour will ensure that you always choose perfect baguettes. Baguettes at the Victor Hugo food market

Baguettes in the Victor Hugo food market (Photo: Ifat Sani, Walla system! NEWS)

Lots of hot dogs, and a goose breast. Meat Market Victor Hugo

Sausages in the Victor Hugo food market (Photo: Yifat Sani, Walla system! NEWS)

Apart from restaurants, the city also has markets that you won't want to miss, especially if you want to take you back to the country with good cheeses and fine wines. One of those markets is the Victor Hugo Indoor Food Market, which is open 6 days a week (except two) until 1 p.m. If you want to make sure you don't miss anything for the sake of the region, you can book a guided tour of the English market called Taste of tulus. These tours are run by an American who lives in Toulouse and specializes in French cheeses and wine. The tour will teach you how to choose (relatively) goose liver, what are the hallmarks of really good baguettes and how to choose cheese for any occasion, and the wine that suits it.

If you prefer to buy your French delicacies without visiting the market, on Rue du Rempart Matabiau you will find many chocolate and candy stores, delicatessen, wine shops and many cheeses.

Because it has the most fun museum you will visit

The Halle de La Machin Museum is a museum of various and different machines, and is unlike any museum you have visited. It showcases the unique machines of François de la Roser, an artist who makes huge machines for street performances all over the world. The company he founded, which builds the machines, was born in Toulouse, so it was decided to build a large museum that would concentrate all of these works after they finished appearing on the streets of various capital cities around the world. In the museum you will find dozens of machines - from a mechanical dinner table, to a huge ballerina to various different musical instruments.

In fact, it's not really a museum, as the machines there are constantly changing, and the place is very dynamic. In this museum you will not find people who will tell you to keep quiet, or serious guides, but only "machine operators", who are actually players who operate the machines for you, and even without knowing a word of English, manage to keep you entertained throughout the tour. While all the machines in this museum deserve your time, there is no doubt that the star of the place is Minutaur - a half-man 14-foot-tall, 7-ton bull - who moves in front of you and can even take you on a 45-minute tour of the city.

Entry to the museum costs around € 9, and is close enough to the city center for easy bus or train access.

Because of history

One of the pride of Toulouse residents is the region's successful location, just halfway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, and a reasonable drive from the Pyrenees ski resorts. Toulouse is the gateway to the midi-pyrenees area and serves as a starting point for nature walks and the most beautiful villages in France, including Albee, Lord, Moasac, and also Carcasson - a stopping point that must not be missed.

Carcasson is a small city with an ancient and breathtaking fortress that attracts 2.5 million visitors a year. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history of more than 2,500 years. You can stroll through this ancient fortress alley, visit the museum and enjoy unique restaurants and exceptional shops. If you want, you can also enjoy this historic experience, as there is a canvas and breakfast ( Which will cost you about 65 euros a night) and hotels (one of 5 stars, and a 4 star hotel at a reasonable price of 120 euros per night).

time travel. Carcasson

Carcassonne (Photo: Walla system! NEWS)

2.5 million visitors a year are not mistaken. Carcasson

Carcassonne (Photo: Walla system! NEWS)

Besides the fortress there is also a beautiful basilica built in the 13th century, and every Sunday at 11:00 a festive mass is held there. During the summer season there is a daily performance of musicians, once an hour or so. And if you come to the area in the summer, you might also want to check out when (at the stadium at the end of the Old Town) the Carcasson Festival - music performances from around the world, which previously attracted even Sting and Elton John.

The Basilica of Caracason

Basilica in Caracason (Photo: Walla system! NEWS)

And don't miss out on lunch in the area as well. The Old Town of Carcassonne has a Michelin-starred restaurant, plus two Michelin-starred restaurants nearby. But even without official ratings, this is an area with particularly good food. One of the best restaurants in the area is the comte roger that has been operating for many years and offers gourmet cuisine based on local cuisine. This is a restaurant that locals love especially, perhaps because it is not very sophisticated - offers simple food at a very high level.

After visiting this old town and having a good meal, one can continue to one of the dozens of wineries in the area, as, as everywhere in France, wine is an important part of the experience. One of the area's recommended wineries is lorgeril, a winery belonging to a family from the area that manages an extraordinary estate called Chateau de Pennautier that has been open to visitors for the past ten years. This estate, which looks like a period drama, can hold conferences, workshops, events and even host it (but only if you have at least 4 families). The mansion is surrounded by gardens that are open to the public on weekdays from 10am to 5pm, and a guided tour of the estate itself (€ 9 per person) can be arranged. The lorgeril winery can be visited, preferably in advance, and participate in a tasting and explanation session and a winery tour and vineyards tour. Apart from tasting, the winery and Chateau can arrange a variety of other activities, such as a combined wine tasting at a picnic, or a bike tour of the vineyards.

This is the opportunity to go on a dream vacation, a loan to clients of all banks

Subject to the terms of financing Ltd. and compliance with the underwriting conditions. Failure to meet the loan repayment may result in a charge on arrears and execution proceedings

A few things to know when you get to Toulouse

Izzy Jet recently opened a direct line to Toulouse, making reaching this tourist destination particularly convenient. Flights depart on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and take about four hours. You can reach the airport from the airport with a shuttle that costs 8 euros or a taxi that costs 35 euros.

If you are arriving from April to October, you should know that you can contact the area's tourism bureau and arrange a guided tour to discover the most magical places in the city. Such a group tour costs 12 euros, and a private tour will cost you 150 euros. Aside from these tours, there are a number of trips planned for you to enjoy. A trip that includes shuttle and 3 guided tours (including museums) will cost you 17 euros for one day, 28 euros for two days, and 35 euros for three days.

And finally - shopping. As with any self-respecting European city, Toulouse also offers all types of shopping, at all price levels. On Rue d'Alsace Lorraine you will find international brands such as Zara, Uniclo and H&M. If you prefer to indulge in more upscale shops, you can check out the streets, Rue Croix Baragnon and Rue Bouquiere. If you prefer to buy clothes at local stores, which is definitely recommended, you can go to Rue Cujas, Rue Sainte Ursule and Place de la Bourse. All the streets mentioned here are right in the city center, and within walking distance of each other. If you buy more than € 175 in one store, you can request forms for VAT refund.

The writer was a guest of Easy Jet and the French Tourism Bureau