Our original reason for stopping in Toulose was to break up the journey to our next destination but we are really pleased that we chose to do so. Known as La Ville Rose, due to the red brick used to build most of the city, the centre is elegant a stylish.
The city sits amidst the River Garrone and the Canal du Midi which link the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic ocean. The banks of both provide beautiful tree lined towpaths, a perfect spot for a slow amble in the shade of the midday sun.
We hopped aboard a boat which allowed us to explore parts of both waterways - to be honest though we could have seen the same on foot and the most exciting part of the trip was how alarmingly similar the driver looked to Billy Connelly.
With the second largest student population in France the city is busy and full of life. It is young and vibrant with a hot bed of nationalities, cultures and cuisines. The pedestrianised lanes darting out from the Place du Capitole are awash with cafes bars and all manner of ethnic cuisine. The collection of Indian restaurants puts Rusholme to shame! Given that it was obviously a speciality of the region we opted for our first curry of the trip - delicious!
During the summer months the city council transform the left bank of the river in to Toulouse plage (a fake beach).
It is completely free and our love of beaches meant that we had to pay a visit. There was everything from sun beds and sand pits to badminton courts, beach soccer pitches, volley ball courts and table tennis tables. At last something I can beat Mike at - a whitewash - three games to nil and I shall now make him sorry for all the gloating he did about the boules!!!!!
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