wvdthree

Hi all,
At the end of Sept my wife son and I will be in the Minervois for a week and are considering a day trip to Toulouse for a bit of a city feel as we'll have spent two weeks in gites located in small villages.

What we are looking for is a recommendation at to where to park and base ourselves for the day. As we have our son with us we will not be concentrating on museums and other more adult oriented sight seeing. What we will be interested in is wandering on foot,parks,hanging out in squares,browsing some shops and eating somewhere great yet casual for lunch. Any specific young child attraction suggestions would also be welcome.

I understand that driving and navigating in Toulouse can be a challenge. We will have a Tom Tom GPS so hopefully that will be beneficial. We just hoping to park at some central location (in the "old town") and be able to walk everywhere from there. Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have.


Regards,
Vance

Images2

I suggest visiting the site where the Airbus 380 is built. It's a fantastic tour and you'll see the huge planes. You must book ahead at http://www.taxiway.fr/. Then drive into Toulouse, where we found easy access to underground parking. Driving into Toulouse wasn't difficult as we missed the morning rush hour.

Nikki

There is a big parking lot under the Place du Capitole in the center of Toulouse. How do I know this? Because after two hours of driving from the rental office through the streets of Toulouse trying to get to our hotel to pick me up with the luggage, my husband finally gave up and parked in the lot and walked over to the hotel to get me. This was because of construction blocking the street of our hotel, so hopefully not a permanent condition.

Not to make you worry; it's just that your comment about driving and navigating in Toulouse made me smile.

And oh yeah, he scratched the rental car in the process, driving through the narrow streets. Patched it up with the help of two guys in a gas station in the countryside before we returned it, good as new.

StCirq

Do you read French? If so, here's a site that's all about stuff to do in Toulouse with kids:

http://www.toulouse-enfant.com/

If you don't, people here can help you.

You might also check on www.whatsonwhen.com for special events.

sheila

I have to say that I don't see Toulouse as much of a child centred place.. The best I can offer is the walk along the river, which, on the west side north and south of the Pont Neuf, is very pretty, and not constrained for your son.

There is another big underground Parking in Rue Metz and a smallish multi story in Rue Victor Hugo.

If you were going to do the Airbus tour- you MUST book. They do about 2 a week in English (I think- web-site's down, and I can't check). I might leave my car at Blagnac and use the shuttle bus to get into the town centre.

I suspect that Airbus and even Space City might be a bit old for your son. If the weather were fin you could try a trip on the Garonne.

BTW, the Capitole square is very imposing, but the prices at the cafes are silly. There's a little square close by called the Place St George with lots of cafes and things round the outside and a play area in the middle. Sounds like what you're looking for.

swagman

Vance

We are staying in one of the rural villages in the Minervois and we did a trip into Toulouse yesterday, so here's the scoop:-

Not sure where you'll be staying but just get on the A61 to get Toulouse. After the toll gate, follow Toulouse Centre. When you leave the freeway, follow Centre Ville and then P Capitole for Parking Capitole. We parked at the underground lot at P Place Saint Georges. I promise you, it's easy, you won't get lost and won't need your Tom Tom.

The parking lot at Place Saint Georges is locted underneath a shopping centre called Espace Saint Georges. When you come out of it, follow signs to exit Rue Alsace-Lorraine. 5 mins walk from there you'll find Place du Capitole. We weren't very impressed with this particular square as, like most big cities in France, there are homeless people around and not very clean overall. But the Office du Tourism is located in an historical building adjacent to the square.

We took Le Petit Train (5 Euros each) departed from Rue Lafayette, in front of La Poste (post office). It gave us a good orientation of the city and the key sights. Your 7-yr old should enjoy this, as our 4-yr old did.

Sheila above made a good suggestion to lunch at Place Saint Georges, a much nicer but smaller square surrounded by cafes and restaurants with a kids playground in the centre, your son might be too old for this but ours had the best time there. This square is very clean and it's not touristy, the locals mingle here.

Surrounding Place Saint Georges are streets with small boutiques and some upmarket shops which your wife might enjoy having a browse.

We found there isn't really too much to do for young children but we intend to return to do the Airbus visit which you must book in advance. Let me know if you want the phone number, I can find out and post it here.

All in all, after 3 weeks in the Minervois, Toulouse gave us a quick 'city fix' and brought a bit of civilisation back into our lives!!!

Getting out of Toulouse, just follow the green Toutes Direction signs then follow 'Peripherique' to get back on the ring road to return to the freeway. Too easy!

Hope the above helps! Good luck and enjoy!

s

swagman

Just need to clarify one of my comments earlier regarding the Place du Capitole. The area I mentioned that did not impressed us was on the eastern side of the Place, being the Donjon du Capitol, a smaller square.

The main square itself is quite imposing as described by sheila.

s

Cathinjoetown

Hi, We live southwest of Toulouse and take the metro in from Basso Campo, south terminus of Line A. Depending on where you are coming from, the opposite end of Line A (Balma Gramont) or Line B's southeast terminus (Ramonville) may work for you. There's ample parking at Basso Campo, I can assume same for other termini but haven't checked.

http://www.cityrailtransit.com/maps/toulouse_map.htm

Very easy system--you can get off at Capitole as a starting point. The little train would be fun for your son also, if a nice day, the river/canal du midi trip which lasts about 90 minutes is interesting. Commentary in French but an English fact sheet is handed out.

I haven't done the airbus tour but would imagine a 7-year old would love it.

wvdthree

Hi Swagman,
Thanks to all of you for your helpful responses. Swagman,we're leaving Sept 18 for France and will be spending the week of Sept 26 in Caunes Minervois,about 15 minutes west of where you are or were in Olonzac. Wondering if you are planning on posting a trip report or if I could be in contact regarding some additional info about the area? If so, my email is [email protected]. Thanks so much and have a great rest of your trip.

Cheers,
Vance

swagman

Vance

I just emailed you.

We have booked ourselves to do the Airbus Visit. Will let you know if it is worth doing.

s