There is so much more to France than just Paris… If you ever find yourself in the south of France, be certain to visit Toulouse. Steeped in history yet hip and lively, I visited Toulouse for a week long exchange program as a student on a shoe string budget and yet there was always plenty to see and do…

Visit the Toulouse Cathedral to admire its two distinct styles of architecture, Roman and Gothic.

Take a leisurely walk on the tree lined Canal du Midi and admire its many house boats.

 

Get lost in one of the prettiest neighbourhoods of the city, Les Carmes. With streets so narrow that you can barely see the sky, window shop your way around the many jewellery and antique shops in this district.

 

And lastly, hang around in one of the many cafes on Place du Capitole, dubbed as ‘the living room of the city’. Demonstrators, performers, vendors, tourists - this is where all the action is.

… And already as I write this, there are thoughts of spending an enchanted weekend in this Rose City and a strong desire to relive all of it once again.

{images via: 1,2,3,4}