Toulouse Guided Walking Tour Private

The Perfect introduction to the town of Toulouse

As Lonely Planet puts it: “Toulouse might just be France’s most overlooked city". Known as ‘La Ville Rose’ (the Pink City) thanks to the dusky-pink bricks used in many of its buildings, it’s the country’s fourth-biggest metropolis and has one of the largest universities outside Paris. Other nicknames of the City of Toulouse include the City of Violets and the Cité Mondine.

But this vibrant southern city has so much going for it: a crackling cultural scene, a beautiful old quarter packed with hôtels particuliers (private mansions) and a glorious location at the confluence of the Canal du Midi and the River Garonne.

Throw in some of the southwest’s finest food markets and restaurants, and it becomes hard to think of any trip to France that shouldn’t include a few days in Toulouse.

Meet your English speaking licensed tour guide

Today, meet your licensed tour guide directly at your accommodation or Hotel lobby who is a specialist in private tours and historical walking tours in Toulouse. With your own private guide, you will have the opportunity to explore the history of the rose city and discover its cultural richness.

Visit Saint Sernin Basilica

Depart with your licensed tour guide and first discover Saint Sernin Basilica, one of the most glorious churches on the medieval pilgrimage road to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a masterpiece of Romanesque art. This exquisite church, built between the 1th to 13th centuries, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Constructed from the red bricks typical of Toulouse, the Basilica has a five-aisled nave and three-aisled transept in the Romanesque style. Visit the Basilica with your guide. After the visit of the Basilica, head towards the ‘Couvent des Jacobins’ Church.

Visit Couvent des Jacobins

A beautiful example of Southern Gothic architecture, the Couvent des Jacobins was founded as a Dominican monastery in the 13th century. Built between 1260 and 1292 it was constructed entirely from the red bricks of Toulouse and has a similar tower to the Basilique Saint-Sernin.

The massive and austere exterior contrasts with the delicate interior architecture. Inside the convent’s church, the two-aisled nave features inspiring vaulting with the famous palm-frond shaped ribs radiating from seven central piers in the choir. 

Visit the Capitole, Toulouse Town Hall

Finally, end the tour with the visit of the ‘Capitole’, the city’s Town Hall located on the main square of Toulouse. The name “Capitole” referred not only to the Roman Capitol but also to the Capitulum which was the chapter of the governing magistrates.

In the 20th century, the structures surrounding the vast Place du Capitole were redesigned. Some of the interior of the Capitole can be traced back to the 16th century, but the current façade, 135 metres long and built of the characteristic pink brick in Neoclassical style, dates from 1750. The eight columns represent the original eight Capitouls. 

A thorough redesign of the Place du Capitole in 1995 reserved the space for pedestrians. Today the Capitole houses the city hall, as well as the Theater, an opera company and a symphony orchestra. The Salle des Illustres contains 19th century works of art and sculptures that represent the most famous persons originating from Toulouse.

Other tour options in Toulouse

Since this is a private tour, it is also possible for us to include the visit of other iconic sites of Toulouse. We will open up the doors of the Occitan culture especially if you would like to participate in a tour based on the story of the Cathars. Other charming historical sites of Toulouse include the Cathedral, the Saint-Raymond Museum of Antiques or the Bemberg Foundation located in a private Mansion.

From Toulouse we offer and operate city tours and private day trips to all the main attractions in the area including Carcassonne, Albi & wine tasting tours to the Gaillac wine region.