I will be in Toulouse for a conference on the last week of September. I'm interested to know if Toulouse and the immediate vicinity has enough to see for an extended stay of 3 or 4 days. I would welcome any suggestion for attractions, thing to see and do in that area.

Salut Réal, <BR> <BR>Je sais... je sais... Ce n'est pas moi qui va t'aider mais... J'ai déjà été à Toulouse mais il y a longtemps. Je trouve ça absurde. Je suis au chalet au lac Ashigami et je te parle de Toulouse... On se revoit bientôt. <BR> <BR>

Toulouse itself is a pretty town-- the "rose red" city, with a river running through it. Good restaurants, of course-- like anywhere in France. What do you consider the immediate vicinity? The paleolithic caves-- the reproduction, Lascaux II, plus the genuine caves of Rouffignac, Font de Gaume (near Les Eyzies, Dordogne) Peche Merle, and Cougnac (near Cahors, Lot) are a long day trip North of the city. Going South, you soon reach the Pyrennees Mountains. The restored, medieval city of Carcassonne to the Southeast is touristy, but lots of fun. There's the Bordeaux wine region, not far away to the West. (St. Emilion has great wine and great architecture.) There's also the beach at Arcachon, just South of Bordeaux, with perhaps the world's largest sand dune. Plenty of stuff for three or four days.

What about in Toulouse and its close vicinity (for day trips)?

Airbus

There's a chuffin' huge plane factory and also toulouse is one of the worlds leading rugby clubs if you fancy watching a game.

There are some nice towns a short trip on the railway away. Carcassone is an easy day trip.

I was propositioned by the worlds ugliest prostitute in toulose. Make of that what you will.

Albi for its cathedral and Toulouse Lautrec museum in the bishop's palace, Montauban for its 17th century square and its Ingres museum in the bishop's palace, Moissac for its monastery.

Hi Real -

The Basilica of St. Sernin is probably Europe's best Romanesque church. I made a special stop in Toulouse on my way to Carcassonne last year just to see it.

There is a French phrase that says: &quot;voir Carcassonne et mourir&quot; which means (roughly) that one can't die without having seen Carcassonne.

Toulouse is a wonderful city and has more than enough itself to keep you busy for several days. Just wander around the old part of town, have a drink at the place du Capitole, see the Church and cloisters at the Jacobins, see the Museum at the Augustins, the Bemberg foundation in the Ass&eacute;zat mansion.

Have a look at the Tourist office site http://www.uk.toulouse-tourisme.com/sights-and-visits

Many of the other places people have mentioned, Lascaux, St Emilion, etc. are really too far to go on such a short visit. Carcassonne is possible, although very touristy. You would probably need a car, but might be able to arrange a tour through the tourist office.

We like to go to Toulouse just to look around, try restaurants, and admire the beautiful city. If you want something livelier, it has one of the youngest populations in France, with lots of students, and lots of clubs.

Altogether a great place.

For a break from the 'real' sights
of Toulouse, you can catch a boat
from the Quai de la Daurade or Ponts
Jumeaux that wanders down the Garonne/canals for an hour or so.
I know, I know - totally tourist, but on a steamin' hot day it's a cool way to take a break. The
canals are tree-lined and they arch
over the water - very pretty.

Last spring I based for a few days in Monasties, near Albi, for a few days. This area is only about an hour or an hour and a half from Toulouse and is one of the most spectacularly beautiful areas I have visited in France with a high concentration of those &quot;plus beaux villages&quot; (most beautiful villages in France.)

So you could do a trip to this area from Toulouse basing, perhaps, in Albi, and visiting Gaillac, Puycelsi, Bruniquel, Monasties, and perhaps Cordes.

Are you interested in wine? If so, there are places to stay in the vineyards outside Gaillac.