19 trips around Toulouse

Are you in Toulouse and want to explore the region for a day? So here are some ideas for walks around Toulouse!

Capital of the Occitania region, Toulouse is a destination appreciated by all. Sunny and jovial, the Rose City is a journey that gives a smile. The Toulouse region also offers beautiful day trips and each of us will find its account there. From an African reserve to the sacred city of Lourdes, passing through medieval cities and the wine route, difficult to make more diversified! Here are the 19 rides around Toulouse that Wanderlix has selected for you!

1. African Safari

Located in Plaisance-du-Touch, this zoo is one of the best rides around Toulouse for children. And for cause, it is known for its African reserve where we can observe from its vehicle about 20 animals in semi-freedom!

2. Albi

With its red brick facades, Albi is a beautiful dormant one who likes to wake up on the day of our visit. Not well known, the city is one of the most captivating in the region, especially thanks to the Cathedral of Saint Cecile. The real emblem!

The paved alleys of old Albi, with its shaded houses, are suitable for strollers, terrace lunches and local specialties such as cassoulet or magret. At the end of the day, a walk along the Tarn, on foot or by bike, allows you to enjoy the beauty of the commune even more.

3. Forest of Bouconne

The green lung of the Toulouse region offers, thanks to its leisure base, various activities for small and large. Moreover, for the children’s birthday, it is even possible to make a treasure hunt!

Beautiful hikes with marked trails are also on the programme of this visit around Toulouse in the middle of nature.

4. Rieux-Volvestre

Rieux-Volvestre is a trip around Toulouse to be a must. With its cathedral, its houses with doves or stones, this episcopal city literally remained in the year 1500. Here, loves walking in narrow alleys. And if you are present on a Sunday morning, know that many producers make their local products taste at the market!

Finally, to close the day, enjoy a walk along the Arize. It is a very good point of view to enjoy the architecture of the village.

Are you with children or a fan of Asterix? Then direction Le Village Gaulois, unique in Europe!

5. Hiking around Fronton to discover the vineyards

The amateur and wine lovers will appreciate this visit near Toulouse! Around the village of Fronton there are many vineyards. Hiking is possible to pass from vineyards to vineyards. This is certainly the best way to visit the place and enjoy wine tasting after a long walk!

6. Wine Route of Gaillac

The Gaillac wine route is the most famous in the region and allows us to discover beautiful villages, including Lisle-sur-Tarn where you can stop to visit the beautiful old centre.

Many vineyards are located around Gaillac and offer you a tasting of red wine among the best in France . Your taste buds, with moderation of course!

7. Carcassonne

The City of Carcassonne is one of the most famous places in the region. The fortifications are very old, the origins dating back to the Gallo-Roman era. We feel the weight of history walking in the hearts of this beautiful city. Although restored during the 19th century, the city retains its original authenticity.

The comtal castle, the pillar of the defence of Carcassonne, and the Old Bridge, are two beautiful testimonies of history that we visit without moderation. After long walks, you can taste local gastronomy, such as the Carcassonne cassoulet or the Fritons whisper. Nothing better to finish this beautiful ride around Toulouse!

8. Montolieu and the four castles of Lastours

This charming medieval village is a beautiful escape from the urban tumult. Its small uphill streets offer a beautiful walk to the discovery of old houses, the church, local shops and restaurants.

After Montolieu it is possible to visit the four castles of Lastours, located about 20 kilometers away. These are the most beautiful testimonies of Cathar castles , Christian heresy eradicated by the Crusade of the Albigeois between 1209 and 1229.

9. Auch

This visit around Toulouse is the beautiful surprise of the southwest. The prefecture of the Gers, with its imposing cathedral Sainte-Marie, is indeed a beautiful discovery. Its historic centre is full of riches such as shaded houses and a monumental staircase of 374 steps! A good lunch on the terrace is comfort after so much effort.

Auch hosts many museums, as diverse as one dedicated to Resistance or another in the Americas. That's why they're looking for culture.

Medieval cities

10. Foix

Located in the heart of Ariège, Foix is a beautiful medieval city, whose castle is the most beautiful testimony. Refuge of persecuted cathares, it is the symbol of the city and a visit not to be missed. The old town offers beautiful streets and houses, which can be enjoyed by having lunch on the terrace in one of the many local restaurants in the centre.

Those who want to know the region a little better will go to the Ariège Museum. Finally, to make this visit around Toulouse original, visit the Labouiche underground river 6 kilometers from Foix, an exceptional prehistoric site!

11. Montségur

Although it is possible to visit Foix and Montségur the same day, we chose to make this village a walk around Toulouse alone. Montségur, it is the capital of catharism well represented by its imposing castle whose visit is a true hike.

Don't miss the nature reserve of the Saint-Barthélémy massif, offering fabulous mountain landscapes, including a lake. Finally, you can discover this charming little village of Ariège at the meeting of the locals.

The Canal du Midi

12. Villages sources du Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi is the work of Pierre-Paul Riquet to whom one owes the genius of his construction. Developing an ingenious system of deviation of the Alzeau Creek, located close to the source villages, allows the water canal to be fed through the Saint-Ferréol basin.

The reason why Sorèze, Revel or Saint-Félix-Lauragais are called source villages of the canal is because they border the basin. These three villages are typical of the region and their old centre is absolutely magnificent. We like to get lost in the mazes of turbulent lanes. It is possible to spend time in the basin, with swimming and sports activities.

13. Cruise on the canal

The best way to admire the surroundings of the canal is to make a cruise. The starting points are numerous and there are even in Toulouse. We advise from Port-Lauragais and Castelnaudary.

In any case, choose a cruise allowing you to borrow a bridge-channel because you will not do it again soon!

14. Green bike path

A ride around Toulouse original is to take the green path of the Canal du Midi. It is possible to rent bikes in Toulouse and to go along the canal until Sète His final point. If you already arrive to Port-Lauragais or Castelnaudary, it is that you have pedaled well!

15. ♪ Gorges de l’Aveyron canoeing in Saint-Antonin Noble-Val

Located in the heart of the Gorges de l’Aveyron, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is a magnificent medieval village of thirteen centuries old. Its paved alleys are a happiness to visit and its location along the Aveyron in fact a more than charming village.

For those who have time, it is possible to make beautiful hikes in the Gorges de l’Aveyron. Nevertheless, the main sport activity of the city is the canoe escape, for all levels. A real escape moment for this visit around Toulouse!

16. Ax-les-Thermes

This trip around Toulouse is primarily intended for those who love thermal baths and spas. Ax-les-Thermes is indeed known by its hot water sources and its many well-being centres where you can easily spend the day.

The Rocher de la Vierge, a dungeon located on the heights and accessible after a hike, offers a beautiful view of the city.

The sacred places

These three places are located on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route .

17. Moissac

The small village of Moissac owes its reputation to pilgrims and his Abbey Saint-Pierre. Classified at Unesco’s World Heritage for Compostela Roads, it is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in France. Don't miss without any excuse.

After a walk in the pretty city centre and a hunting tasting, the local grapes, in clusters or in wine, you can admire the superb bridge-canal. A bridge built exclusively to cross the Garonne to the boats! A technical prowes for the time because the bridge dates from 1845.

18. Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

In the distance, we see his huge bell tower. The cathedral of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges imposes it and eclipses the rest of the village by its beauty, size and sacred character. This stop on the way to Santiago de Compostela allows you to discover one of the masterpieces of religious architecture in the region. Those who have time will be able to visit the caves of Gargas, close to the village.

19. Lourdes

Our selection ends with a rather distant city but which is the visit around Toulouse the most sacred. Legend tells us that it is in Lourdes that Bernadette Soubirous would have seen the Virgin Mary in 1858 in the Massabelle Cave. Since then, Lourdes and the cave have become places of pilgrimage where the nurses will seek the miracle.

But Lourdes is also a beautiful old town and a sublime cathedral we visit without moderation. The originality of the commune is also to borrow the funicular to reach the summit of the Jer peak. Guaranteed scenery and beautiful view up!