I will be in Toulouse for a conference at the end of May. I will be staying in the area for another week after the conference and was wondering if anyone has suggestions for cities and towns I should visit in that part of France (or possibly in Spain). Thank you in advance!

My second favorite city in France!!!!!!

See attached

Stu Dudley

Ahh, Toulouse, the city of a million pink bricks, as well as the origin of pastels. Gorgeous city, best Cassoulet, had only couple nights there, but Albi is a wonderful side trip -- the cathedral and the next-to-it Lautrec Musee was worth an overnight for us. Carcassone also worth seeing, best not with weekend crowding.

I enjoyed Albi and Cordes-sur-Ciel in the area.

Hi CLS4,
You're getting some great advice. One is spoiled for choice in that area. Other options might include Caussade, which apparently has a very good farmers market, Gailac, if you're a wine fan plus the scenic towns of Najac and Bruniquel.
Seeing as you will have a full week, je propose the nearby Aveyron area. Below is our TR/foto essay.
Good Luck!
I am done. The end.
En Pays Villefranchois: photo essay (part one)

If you have a whole week, I would rent a car and drive to Sarlat for the week.
Stop at Grotte de Pech-Merle, Rocamadour( spend the night),and Gouffre de Padirac on route.

A big thank you to everyone who offered their advice! And StuDudley thank you for the detailed itinerary - fantastic information!

Check out the Join Us in France website, podcast and Facebook site. Annie Sargent, the host, lives in Toulouse and has several many of her 381 podcasts on Toulouse and the surrounding area.

https://joinusinfrance.com/

Two towns on the Tarn river could be of interest; Montauban with its 17th century square and Ingres museum:

https://flic.kr/p/7UdDyB
Moissac with its abbey portal and cloister:

https://flic.kr/p/8vDkcH https://flic.kr/p/7UdDZn
There is, of course, Carcassonne:

https://flic.kr/p/oyT3cB
and Albi with its church and Toulouse-Lautrec museum in the episcopal palace:

https://flic.kr/p/7UdyNF

Lots of pictures here from a few years ago: A week in the Occitanie

Again many thanks to all of you who have provided such great advice - I'm very appreciative!

I live about 1h45 minutes from Toulouse so I know the area well. Lectoure is a lovely bastide village nearby, with a great Friday market, and good shops/restaurants. There are also good train connections between Toulouse and Bordeaux, so you could head to Bordeaux, and then go south via car and wind your way back to Toulouse.

So from Bordeaux, go to Arcachon, then down towards St Jean de Luz where you're near Biarittz, Bayonne and some lovely seaside towns too. If you're so inclined, explore the Pyrenees espcially St Jean pied de Port and then go towards Pau, Tarbes and back towards Toulouse. Bon voyage!