Tempting Day Trips From Toulouse

Known as France’s “Ville Rose”, Toulouse radiates an enchanting warmth. Tourists flock to this capital city of the Haute-Garonne region of southwestern France every year to take in its dusted-pink medieval architecture, its famous cassoulet (a stew-like dish with meat and beans), and the unbeatable balmy temperatures. If you’re in the city for a long enough spell, make sure to venture outside of town for at least a day to fully experience the Garonne region around you. From artists’ havens to historic abbeys to the actual birthplace of French wine, we’ve highlighted five magical towns you can see from Toulouse in a day.

Moissac, France

Less than an hour from Toulouse, at the confluence of the Tarn and Garonne Rivers in the Midi-Pyrénées region, the town of Moissac is known internationally for its Abbey of St. Pierre and its waterways. The Abbey dates back to the 11th century, when it originally served as a Benedictine monastery. Its ornate Romanesque sculpture, towering portico and tympanium are among several reasons the Abbey has been designated a World Heritage site of the pilgrimmage Routes de Santiago de Compostela. It’s also the current home of France’s Documentation Center of Roman Art. If that hasn’t intrigued you, the canal of the Tarn River runs right through the city center and is designed for picturesque promenades on foot, making for a fanciful exploration of the historic town.

Montauban

Gaillac

Just an hour east of Toulouse, Gaillac is a stunning little town on the Tarn River. With great wine, animated local markets, and several important historical monuments in the city center, a leisurely stroll here can easily unfold into an all-day affair. Of particular note is St. Michel’s Abbey, perched along the river and architecturally immersed in layers of the town’s history, having seen major reconstruction in both the 13th and 16th centuries. The 17th century Chateau de Foucaud just outside the city center is also well worth a visit for a look at its immaculate gardens.

Cordes-sur-Ciel

Climbing towards the sky, this medieval village will leave you breathless with its magnificent views of the Garonne. Cordes-sur-Ciel was one of the first fortified villages of Southwest France, and today it holds a veritable treasure trove of local art. From contemporary painting, pottery and sculpture to handmade jewelry, glassware, woodcarving, and artisanal leather, Corde-sur-Ciel houses an abundance of galleries and ateliers where dozens of skilled artists have chosen to set up shop. If you arrive on a Wednesday or Saturday, make sure to stock up on provisions at the colorful local market and enjoy a leisurely picnic in the Jardin des Paradis, a public park known for its mix of contemporary, oriental and medieval design. If you happen to be in the area between December and February, don’t miss the town’s annual truffle market, where harvesters come to sell their “black gold”.

Cahors

What better place to drink French wine than at its historical source” The very first French vineyards are said to have been planted near Cahors in the first century by the Romans. The region is especially famous for its Black Wine which dates back to the Middle Ages, as well as its Malbec (though commonly thought to be originally Argentinian, Malbec grapes were in fact first cultivated in Cahors, and brought to Argentina as a gift in the mid 19th century). The area surrounding the city is teeming with vineyards that offer regular tastings, and sell their wine for much cheaper rates than you would find commercially. Cahors itself is as rich in history as its wine is rich in flavor, being one of the first cities conquered and occupied by the Romans. During your visit here, you can see some of this history incarnate in the famous 14th century Valentré Bridge and the St. Etienne Cathedral.

By Caroline Milne

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