I will update this post as soon as I discover new spots.

It has been a while that I would write this article about Toulouse. It is explained because I lived ten years in the “pink city”, walking around the streets and the region with my camera. I am not the person who will give you historical informations about Toulouse, however, I know where to guide you.

Actually, Toulouse is perfect to spend two or three days as part of a city-trip in France, far from Paris, where I suppose there is no secret anymore for tourist. From its International Airport Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS), to its important railway station Toulouse-Matabiau, the Occitanie’s capitale, the fourth biggest French city, is easy to reach. However, in order to spend an entire week-end in Toulouse, you have to know where to go and what to see. It is really easy to find beautiful spots on tourist guide or even at the tourist office or internet. I would definitely recommand you to follow these touristic advice because Toulouse has, as any other city, “unmissable attractions”. After few research, you will discover that Toulouse is really Instagrammable. For architecture or even mode, any Instagram lover will be able to find the right match to its needs. With the building colors and the trees, the lights are really good in Toulouse in order to catch great pictures. My goal through this article is to show you amazing outdoor places to shot with your camera. Be careful, the main part of these spots are private places. You have to respect it, it is part of your job.

I prefer to tell you, it is not easy to access to this private courtyard. The unique way to enter is to pray to see the door open. The flats that you can see when you are in the courtyard belongs to residents. There is also a dancing school inside which is called “Ecole de Danse Françoise Razès”, thus you can try to schedule your visit according to the dancing school opening. I remember few times when I could enter the Sunday morning.
Basically, this is the most beautiful courtyard that I could find on Toulouse. It always depends of what you like, I can understand, but the lights, the luminaire, the buildings and the vegetation visible on this courtyard are definitely amazing.

Well, at this adress you will definitely find the most beautiful and highest view of Toulouse. From Saint-Cyprien district, you have to wait at the door before someone opens it. This building is really huge, it means there are a lot of people going in and out. I have been approximately ten times and I have never waited more than five minutes. Once inside the building, you can catch an elevator to the 17th or 18th floor. Then, open a door which goes directly on accessible balcony and enjoy the view. Be careful for people who could be fear of heights. Furthermore, as you can see on one of my pictures, it is also an awesome place to enjoy 14th of July (France National Day) fireworks. Take care, good people knows the good places, it is quite… crowdy during this day. Never forget that it is a private area. If you are silent and respect the place, there is no reason that someone would tell you something. On the opposite, you will deserve your stupidity.

Do not make the confusion. An “Hôtel” is not always a place where you can rent a room for a night or more. Basically, a “hôtel” can also mean an important private house in French. The courtyard where you enter is quite popular from tourists or Toulouse residents who like to walk around Saint-Etienne district. However, the garden is not as know as the entrance of the Hôtel. If you are lucky or a bit curious, try to access to the garden which is behind the courtyard. This garden is a piece of beauty and silence in the city-center of Toulouse. If you have this chance, never forget that it is a private area. If you are silent and respect the garden, there is no reason that someone would tell you something. On the opposite, you will deserve your stupidity.

Personally, I am always impressed to see a bridge from the bottom. In fact in Toulouse, I don’t know many people who have been down the Pont des Catalans, and this one is impressive. Unlike Pont de Saint-Pierre or Pont Neuf which are really known and touristic, the Pont des Catalans is definitely a Toulouse hidden spot. If your Instagram is focused on street photographies or artchitecture, I am definitely sure that you can get good shots from this spot. In order to get the symmetry of the bridge, you have to stay at the right side of the Garonne.

Okay, I anticipate haters who will say that it is not a secret spot. Indeed, it is not a hidden gem of Toulouse. However, we have to assume that it is not the most famous square of the pink city. And people who doesnt’t know this place have missed something. Place Saint-Scarbes is part of Saint-Etienne district, close to Hotel d’Ulmo (see above) and Cathédrale Saint-Etienne which is a beautiful church. This square and overall the district is probably the most representative of what Toulouse is concerning architecture. This district hide many courtyards, coffee and restaurants more beautiful the ones than the others.

Garonne’s river is the heart of Toulouse. For instance, it is really peaceful to walk along the river from the Quai de la Garonne between Place Saint-Pierre and La Daurade. Another Garonne’s point of view is known as Espace Bazacle. Actually, I suppose that a main part of Toulouse habitants know this place, although I know some of friends who have never been. It is a real chance in Toulouse to have this kind of place. For its balcony above the river, obvisouly, but also to learn more about an hydroelectric station. Sometimes, there are art exhibitions on this place too.

• Rooftop from Toulouse

– Top of Victor-Hugo Parking : this parking has been renovated one year ago and it has been well-done. From an architectural point of view, it is beautiful because its modern and symmetry shapes. Find a moment to go on the top and take picture of Toulouse roofs.

– Top of Carmes Parking : this parking is not as beautiful as Victor-Hugo but the view is be more beautiful. Negative point, there is a probability to see security guards coming to tell you that it is forbidden to take pictures by respect for neighbourhoods.

– Ma Biche sur le Toit : this new bar/restaurants will offer you one of the most beautiful view of Toulouse. This restaurant is located on the roof of the Galeries Lafayette. Enter inside the store and catch an elevator to enjoy the view and pay a high-price for your drink which includes obviously the view. This is this kind of trendy place as you can find everywhere.

• Messy spots and districts

– Saint-Etienne district : As mentionned above, this district is a piece of beauty. You will definitely find the best courtyards and buildings of Toulouse. Even if it is in the city-center, the district is not impacted by the traffic. It is narrow and one-way streets.

– Prairies des Filtres: The main problem of big cities as Toulouse is often the lack of garden and green space. In Toulouse, people do not always think about the Prairies des Filtres in order to have a walk or to chill during the summer time. Home of Toulouse plage during the summer (event that I don’t recommend), this garden is really peaceful during spring or the end of summer to spend times with friends, drink your beers or just to play games. Furthermore, It gives you another point of view on the Garonne, which is always appreciable.

– Écluse Saint Michel : In the other side of the Prairies des Filtres, you will find the Ecluse Saint Michel on the Garonne. During the summer time, this place host a temporary restaurant. It is a good place in order to watch the sunset or to walk his dog. This place is always better when it is sunny and dry. If all these conditions are reunited, I would really recommand to walk around this “écluse”.

– Cloître des Jacobins : Les Jacobins is a well-known basilic in Toulouse. It is really beautiful and the architecture inside is quite impressive with its orange colors as part of… the “pink city”. Sometimes, tourists are not aware that a cloître (kind of garden, courtyard) is also part of the basilic. You have to go to the office inside the basilic and pay an entrance. Then, enjoy, it is not really hidden but it is one of the beautiful spot of Toulouse.