Visiting Toulouse? 6 Must-See Areas to Explore and Stay
Published 2025Planning a trip to Toulouse? Great idea! I love visiting Toulouse and soaking up key attractions and local vibes. It’s a great place for a solo trip, a girls’ getaway, a family vacay, or a romantic weekend away.
Keep reading for my take on the six coolest inner-city neighborhoods in Toulouse to explore and stay. I’ve burnt a lot of calories (and some rubber off my shoes) uncovering each of these neighborhoods. I hope you find my travel tips useful.
Travel tip: Traveling solo? Here are some tried-and-tested safety tips for women traveling alone. Hope you find them helpful.
Where to stay in Toulouse
There are a lot of hotels in Toulouse (but not all of them are good value). Here are six hotels I recommend. Check them out and see what you think. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Aparthotel — A good all-rounder hotel with kitchen facilities and a two-minute walk to Saint-Cyprien Metro.
Hotel Soclo — This is a city-center hotel with a seasonal pool located near the Compans Caffarelli Metro.
Le Grand Balcon — Overall, a good value hotel in a super central location with quiet rooms.
The Social Hub — A community-focused hotel with full amenities like a gym and a small rooftop pool. It can get a bit noisy, but it's also fun and social.
Hotel Villa Du Taur— On a pedestrian street just a short stroll from the Place du Capitole, with simple and modern rooms.
La Cour Des Consuls Hôtel & Spa — A charming hotel (comprising 16th and 18th century buildings) and a Michelin-listed restaurant right near Pont Neuf.
Need more inspo?
Check out the interactive map below to discover places to stay in Toulouse. Use the filters to enter your travel dates and view availability and prices.
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The Les Carmes Quarter
The Les Carmes Quarter is in the heart of the old town. At the center, you'll find the iconic Les Carmes covered market, a total food-lover's paradise.
There are colorful facades and narrow streets leading into charming little squares. Bars, wine cellars, and restaurants are everywhere, so it’s a good spot for a night out. And with tons of charming (and quiet) side streets, it’s a very good place to stay.
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The Saint-Etienne Quarter
Just a short stroll from the Les Carmes quarter, you’ll find yourself in the sophisticated, bourgeois section of the city center. It’s where you can admire the grand mansion houses that once belonged to Renaissance merchants and the Capitouls (the city’s former rulers).
The Saint-Etienne Cathedral’s right in the middle of this neighborhood and surrounded by twisty streets that feel straight out of medieval times. This area’s really cute and full of fancy shops and cool art galleries. Definitely worth checking out.
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The Bourse-Daurade Quarter
If shopping is your passion, the Course-Daurade Quarter is your spot in Toulouse. Just a stone’s throw from Place du Capitole and the famous Rue Alsace-Lorraine, renowned for its major stores, this historic commercial district is brimming with designer boutiques, vintage shops, and concept stores.
When you’re done wandering the streets, head to the quaysides at La Daurade. The views of the Garonne River are unreal, and the vibe is perfect for a night out. Grab a drink on a terrace by the water or chill at one of the cozy restaurants or cafés.
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The Saint-Aubin Quarter
The Sunday morning artisanal market is what really puts this area on the map. Locals love the laid-back vibe of this part of the city, located between the center and the Canal du Midi.
Not many people know this, but Saint-Aubin is sort of like Toulouse’s version of Montmartre in Paris. Just like the famous Paris spot, Rue de la Colombette has been its own little free zone since World War II.
The area’s super lively thanks to all the artists, cool shops, and local crafts. The Saint-Aubin church (yep, that one in the pic) is right in the middle and mixes Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic features.
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Les Chalets Quarter
This cute little area, tucked between downtown and the train station, kind of feels like a tiny village in the middle of the city. It's super chill compared to other neighborhoods. Perfect spot to people-watch from the terrace at Café Concorde (pic above), one of the oldest hangouts in town.
There are a few apartments, but mostly it’s full of these gorgeous, classic houses called Toulousaines. Walk a bit further down Rue des Chalets, and you’ll see these fancy old-school mansions. It’s seriously one of the calmest, most peaceful spots around the city center. It feels like a hidden gem.
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The Saint-Cyprien Quarter
No trip to Toulouse is complete without checking out the very cool Saint-Cyprien neighborhood.
Back in the day, it was where they sent the sick, pilgrims, and outcasts on the left side of the Garonne River, but now it’s this buzzing, trendy area everyone loves.
It’s got a ton of culture—like the Prairie des Filtres, where most summer events are held, the Château d’Eau, which is this awesome photography museum, and Les Abattoirs, a modern art museum that’s worth a visit.
And the views? Next level, especially at night. Go to the Port de Viguerie to soak in the views of the buildings across the river—this is where the “Ville Rose” (Pink City) moniker totally pops.
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