Death by Churches!

Thursday 19th October 2017 - Toulouse.

I know Toulouse probably isn't on everyone's list of European City breaks.  We chose it as a place to meet John because we wanted to see a city and also wanted to see some top quality rugby in France. We have tickets for the Toulouse v Cardiff game tomorrow night.  Today we wanted to have a first look at what the city had to offer.

We caught a bus part way in and then a metro underground into the very centre.  It was cheap and easy.  The forecast had been for rain all day and surprisingly it didn't rain at all.  We had a mix of sunny spells and cloudy.  I am really pleased for John that we have had a full dry, warm day.  It would be so disappointing to have come here from wet and windy Kendal to get more of the same.

We didn't know what to expect in the centre...

The building behind is the Donjon Tower that held the city archives.  The building behind it is The Capitole.  They merely call is The Capitole and refuse to call it the Hotel de Ville!  To be fair it does include an art gallery and the Opera Theatre, so it's not just a Town Hall.

The Capitole from the front.  Very grand building in a very grand square.  Unfortunately our view is partially obscured by preparations for a marathon race to be held on Sunday.

We had a little lunch in a restaurant opposite and then did a whistle stop tour of churches, cathedrals and convents.  Here is a selection of photos...

John is not normally noted for his church visits but he put up with the tour with good grace.

We walked alongside the Garonne river.


Then gave into temptation.

John treated me to a Black Forest gateau from a particularly nice and expensive patisserie.  

We liked Toulouse.  It is a big city but the centre felt relaxed and pleasant.  Lots of pedestrian areas, nice squares and characterful buildings (not all churches).

Back at the site we had a boeuf bourguignon from the slow cooker.  



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