This is really the second day we’ve been in Toulouse, the fourth largest city in France, but after flying overnight on Thursday from Seattle to Frankfurt, Germany and then from there to Toulouse on Friday afternoon, we were a bit dazed and confused that first day! So, after having a pretty good night’s sleep, we were able to get out and enjoy our first full day today in this southwestern French city.

Buttery, flaky, light croissants at our hotel.

And what better way to start out a day in France than with one of their national treasures, the croissant?! Our hotel comes with breakfast included and there was a nice pile of these when we went down to the dining room this morning. We don’t get it but croissants always taste and smell better here than anywhere else in the world.

Pont Neuf

After breakfast we set out to walk around Toulouse. Clint had been here once before in the nineties and two things stood out in his memory: the prolific use of pink stone in the buildings and structures of the area (Toulouse is known as the “Pink City” because of this) and the historic bridges with their repeating arches. Ryan soon saw that this was an accurate memory. The bridge in the photo above is called Pont Neuf (“New Bridge”, even though it is really the oldest bridge in Toulouse!) and it was built with holes on either sides of the iconic arches so that rising flood waters would have the ability to flow through the bridge structure and not build up pressure which could destroy the bridge.

Like in most European cities, the architecture really stands out. We enjoyed the different colors, styles, and periods represented everywhere we went.
Place St. Georges

Toulouse has many squares (or “places”) that open up unexpectedly as you are maneuvering the narrow streets. This was a particularly pleasant one we happened upon called Place Saint-Georges. Surprisingly, we discovered that the restaurant where we were going to have lunch was just on this particular square! A long time French friend, named Sabine, that Clint had met in college happens to live in Toulouse. Ryan had met her previously in Paris when we were visiting France about 8 years ago. Knowing that we were coming to Toulouse, she had invited us to join her for lunch at this restaurant, one of her favorites in the city.

Outdoor cafe in Toulouse for lunch.

We were about an hour away from our meeting time with Sabine and the restaurant wasn’t open yet (as can be seen by the photo) but we enjoyed sitting on a bench nearby and just taking in the French life going on around us and passing by while we waited. Besides, our feet needed a bit of a break by that time!

Clint, Sabine, et Ryan

Sabine arrived and we took time for a photo opportunity before having a wonderful French meal al fresco. Our outdoor table allowed us again to watch the passing street scene (including a noisy political demonstration march – very French!), catch up with Sabine, and enjoy a delicious 3 course lunch including a bottle of wine – earlier than we typically drink but, again, very French. The meal unfolded over about two hours which is another thing I love about France. They love their food and dining routines and are not in a hurry when it comes to eating. Sabine said that while others might “eat to live”, the French “live to eat”! And, we find the food here to be very good and worth spending time eating!

After lunch, Sabine took us on a walking tour around the city. Here is another “Place” we came across which included much greenery and a 2 story carousel (not seen in photo) which children were really enjoying. Oh, if only our granddaughter was here with us!
Church of the Jacobins

Sabine wanted us to see the Church of the Jacobins as it has many impressive features and is the largest church in Toulouse. Its construction began in 1230 and it served as the site of the Dominican order of the Catholic church in the region. Its columns that fan out on the ceiling much like palm trees are unique in the world. It also happens to house the remains of Thomas Aquinas. He was an Italian friar from the thirteenth century who served the Catholic church in this region and was immensely influential for his philosophical and theological viewpoints on religion.

Jacobins Cloisters

Another part of the church is the cloisters where meditative reflection would take place among the monks and others of the Dominican order. Visitors there today were taking time to do so themselves while listening to a piano concert take place. It was quite magical.

Finally, Sabine walked us back to see her home where she has lived for 14 years. We said good-bye to her from there and made our way back to our hotel. While our legs and feet were tired from a long day of walking, it was a wonderful introduction to Toulouse and a very nice reunion with a long-time international friend.