Toulouse may not immediately come to mind as a destination for a short break but this exciting, vibrant and historic city is less than a 90-minute flight from the UK and is well served from all over France by the rail network.
Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France, well known as the home of the European Space industry and of airbus, though I was here for the food, culture and architecture of La Ville Rose (“the pink city”).There are no stone quarries nearby so rich local clay is used to make pinkish terracotta bricks which many buildings are made of. In the early morning or late afternoon sunshine they are a photographer’s dream.
Making for a great base, the Grand Hotel de l’Opera, is slap bang in the middle of the city on the vast Place du Capitole. It is one of the classic mansions of the city and boasts two restaurants, both sharing the same courtyard. Les Jardins de L’Opera is the gastronomic home of Michelin starred chef Stephane Tournie while the more affordable Brasserie de L’Opera run by chef Gratien Castro is terrific.
Sitting here with a glass of Pastis, nibbling on amuse bouches, half a dozen plump escargot swimming in garlic butter and steak frites, makes for a very French, very relaxing lunch.