BETWEEN HERITAGE AND MODERNITY... TOULOUSE, A CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Nestled in the heart of southwestern France, on the banks of the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi, Toulouse enjoys a prime location between the Mediterranean Sea, the Pyrenees mountains, and the Atlantic coast. With a metropolitan population of 1.4 million, it is France’s third-largest urban area, one of Occitanie’s two major metropolitan centers, and the capital of the Haute-Garonne department.
Its historic center is home to remarkable landmarks, including the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, and the Canal du Midi, a remarkable feat of engineering. The Jacobins Convent, an outstanding example of Southern Gothic architecture, is another architectural gem. The Capitole, an imposing neoclassical building that serves as City Hall, has also housed the city’s Opera since 1818.
Last year, the renowned travel guide Lonely Planet ranked Toulouse among the world’s top destinations to visit.
This momentum continues to grow, with record-breaking tourism figures, more than 5.2 million overnight stays, and a significant increase in attendance at cultural venues and events.
In 2019, Toulouse was awarded the prestigious City of Art and History label by the French Ministry of Culture. This distinction reflects the city’s exceptional heritage, highlighted this year by celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Canal du Midi’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Home to Airbus and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), Toulouse stands at the forefront of Europe’s aerospace industry. Its identity and economic growth have been shaped by aviation for over a century, tracing back to the pioneering days of Aéropostale. Today, the city is also recognised as a centre of excellence in digital innovation and scientific research, supported by world-class engineering schools, universities, research laboratories and a thriving start-up ecosystem.
A city driven by innovation, Toulouse is helping to shape the world of tomorrow. Landmark institutions such as the Muséum de Toulouse, Quai des Savoirs, Aeroscopia, L’Envol des Pionniers and the Muséum’s botanical gardens showcase the city’s diverse scientific and technological heritage. Together, they invite visitors to explore the great discoveries, achievements and human adventures that continue to define the city.
At the intersection of technology, performance and visual arts, La Halle de la Machine is home to the extraordinary mechanical creations of the company of the same name. This unique venue brings imagination and engineering together through spectacular living machines that captivate audiences of all ages.
In 2023, Toulouse was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music, honouring the city’s rich musical culture and creative vitality. From classical masterpieces to contemporary sounds, music is a constant presence throughout Toulouse, brought to life in its historic concert halls, cultural venues and public spaces. With its bicentenary Conservatoire and a vibrant network of artists and institutions, the city offers countless opportunities to learn, create, experiment and collaborate.
This musical tradition has fostered knowledgeable and enthusiastic audiences, while earning Toulouse an international reputation for artistic excellence. Its international reputation is built on world-class institutions such as the Orchestre National du Capitole, the Opéra National du Capitole and its acclaimed ballet company, together with renowned events including Piano aux Jacobins, Toulouse les Orgues, Rio Loco, Les Siestes, Festival de Toulouse and Rose Festival.
Toulouse has a strong commitment to cinema, reflected in its four Art et Essai cinemas, France’s second-largest Cinémathèque, and innovative venues such as La Forêt Électrique. Unique in France, this new cinema combines film exhibition with artistic creation, placing artists and the creative process at the heart of its mission.
Throughout the year, the Pink City hosts nearly 30 film festivals celebrating international cinema, emerging talent, heritage works and genre films. Beyond screenings, these events create vibrant cultural experiences through concerts, performances and encounters with filmmakers, actors and industry professionals.
The city’s cultural vitality extends far beyond cinema. From the Marathon des Mots literary festival and Nouveau Printemps, dedicated to contemporary art, to its network of around thirty theatres, Toulouse offers a cultural landscape of exceptional richness, diversity and creative energy.
