AMBA’s Communications and Insight Assistant Ellen Buchan gives her take on a recent business trip to the French City of Toulouse
How do you get to Toulouse? Is there a hub airport nearby, good road and rail connections?
Toulouse is a well-connected city. Toulouse–Blagnac Airport is a short 20-minute tram ride away from the centre of the city and the rest of France is easily reached from the Toulouse-Matabiau train station.
Is the city well-served by public transport and taxi services? Are there any interesting ways of getting around? (water taxis, funiculars, cable cars, trams for example)?
Toulouse has a small city centre which is easy to walk around. If you are going further afield the metro is very efficient, cheap, and with only two lines it is straightforward to use.
Could you recommend any business hotels in Toulouse?
Pullman Toulouse Centre Ramblas is a good option for staying in Toulouse. It is situated besides the train station and is just a short walk into the centre of the city. It has a full business centre and gym.
What accommodation options are there for those travelling on a shoestring?
Despite being the fourth largest city in France, surprisingly the city only has one hostel. If you want to stay somewhere affordable, Airbnb is a good option. They host many studio flats around the city for all different tastes and requirements.
What interesting businesses and organisations are based in Toulouse?
Toulouse is the centre of the aerospace industry in Europe, with Airbus being one of the larger companies associated with the city. The city is also part of the Aerospace Valley and has a space centre. This industry is mirrored by the tourist attractions of the city with the Cité de l’espace being a great space themed activity centre.
Where would suggest holding a client dinner?
Le Bibent is a beautiful little restaurant to go to for dinner, right off the main square. While expensive, the price is worth it to eat gourmet food surrounded by ornate gold furnishings and painted ceilings. For a cheaper option go to Place St Georges a square surrounded by restaurants whose seating areas spill out onto the pavements during the summer evenings.
Where could visitors have drinks with colleagues after a day of meetings in Toulouse?
N°5 Wine Bar cannot be beaten, with over two thousand different bottles of wine to choose from. The Carmes neighbourhood is also a good part of the city to head towards, with its streets lined with clusters of bars.
Tell us a bit about Toulouse’s unmissable attractions.
Toulouse could be easily explored in two days. The Capitole de Toulouse, Musée des Augustins and Les Abattoirs cannot be missed if you are a lover of art, whereas Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse and Saint Stephen’s Cathedral showcase stunning architecture and historical importance. If you have time, only an hour away on the train, the medieval city of Carcassonne is worth visiting. On approach to the citadel, the castle walls look like something from an episode of Game of Thrones and wandering round the castle is a fascinating and worthwhile way to spend an afternoon.
Are there any local dishes that visitors should try?
If you want to taste local food, you should go to the Victor Hugo Market. This is the main market of Toulouse, open every breakfast and lunch time except for Mondays. Here you can sample the freshest and most authentic food Toulouse has to offer. Cassoulet is a speciality; the dish traditionally contains beans and duck and is worth trying while at the market.
What do you love about Toulouse?
The city has so much to offer, every street corner has something of interest on it. The river running though the city makes it feel as if you are never far away from somewhere peaceful and quiet. Nicknamed the ‘Pink City’ there is nothing more beautiful than watching the sun set over the Garonne.
