Toulouse, located in the beautiful South-West of France, is the capital of both the Haute-Garonne French department and the Occitanie, the administrative region of France.

The city is the 4th largest in the country with an estimated population of 996,644 in 2018.  If you’re thinking of moving to Toulouse, or already live there, check out our blog to get to know the city better!

A bit about Toulouse:

The city is known as ‘La Ville Rose’ or pink city due to its buildings being modelled with terracotta bricks, making the majority of its architecture the colour pink.  Nevertheless, there are also parts in town where everything is violet. This is because Toulouse is also the City of Violets.

The architecture within Toulouse represents the history remained from the Renaissance, viewable in buildings such as the Hôtel de Bernuy and the Hôtel d’Assézat.  The city centre has been preserved so well that it has maintained the feeling of exploring a village rather than being in one of the largest urban cities in France.  Something very unusual nowadays, as urban areas become modernised and dissolve all the remaining history.

Living in Toulouse:

Living in another country can be difficult at first.  Moving to France is no exception. Nevertheless, the residents in Toulouse are known to be welcoming and friendly, which is a plus.  Moreover, the environment itself beats Paris with the warm climate and cheaper prices!

InterNations is an online platform for expats to contribute with different tips for people moving to Toulouse.  A place where you can meet new people and enjoy their hosted events all year long!

Meetup is another expat society, who also share tips about living in the city and hosts events every fortnight.  They also have the option of planning the events yourself. So if you want to do something in particular, don’t be shy and see who is up for it!

Expat resources:

Moving to a different country or city, means leaving behind your essential resources.  Not to worry, in Toulouse there are various English-speaking firms that can help you. Such as:

• English-speaking lawyers
• International removal companies, for instance:  International House Movers.
• UK groceries deliveries
• Family practices and dentist who speak English.  Furthermore, the University Hospital of Toulouse was voted the best patient carer provider and France is known to have the best health care.
• Bilingual Schools and the fourth largest university campus in the country and the oldest in Europe, the University of Toulouse.

Financial advice:

Harrison Brook is a leading financial advice firm that specialise their services in providing financial advice to expats.  Our fully qualified advisers can aid you in a variety of services including:

• Transferring your UK pension
• Planning your retirement
• Investment advice
• Create an online savings and investment platform
• Assist you with French Mortgages
• Expat Life Insurance solutions

The city’s gastronomy

Restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide:

Known for its country-side French cuisine, Toulouse has delicious food they are famous for, such as cassoulets, duck confits and the Toulouse sausages.  There are numerous Michelin Guide restaurants in the city with traditional French cuisine. For instance:

• Chez Yannick
• Le Bibent
• En Marge
• Les Quatre Petits Cochons

Beverages:

As for wine, Toulouse has a very delicious variety coming from vineyards such as Languedoc-Roussillon, Saint Emilion and Entre-deux-Mers.  The N°5 Wine Bar, located on 5 Rue de la Bourse near the Place du Capitole, has been named the Best Wine Bar in the World in 2017 and 2018.  So they must have lovely wine!

If you fancy a nice beer in an English pub, The Frog & Rosbif is the place for you.  Also a great pub to watch a match and grab a burger! The name derived from the Brits calling the French Frogs (because they eat frogs).  While the French call the Brits Rosbif (as they eat roast beef).

What to visit:

Due to the city’s rich culture and architecture, there are so many places to see.  Here are only a few of numerous areas to visit:

• The Place du Capitole: A beautiful square to walk around where the town hall (a stunning building), a theatre, various celebrity rooms, restaurants and shops are situated.
• The Notre Dame du Taur: A stunning church and among the oldest parishes in Toulouse.
• The Basilique Saint-Sernin:  A grand Romanesque church reflecting the beautiful architecture built with golden and rose-toned stonework.
• The Canal du Midi: The canal links the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans.  It is definitely worth strolling or cycling through the various pathways by the canal and absorb its natural charm and marvellous sceneries.
• The Japanese Botanic Garden: It has a true ambience of original gardens in Kyoto, Japan.  Experience the Japanese culture and absorb its natural environment.
• The Marché Victor Hugo flea market: One of the city’s vital experiences is visiting a local flea market.  This is the most popular one which has a great atmosphere with excellent produce.
• The Cite de l’Espace: A brilliant space theme park based on the city’s grand influence in the aerospace industry.  Toulouse is home to the largest aerospace centre in Europe, the headquarters of the European Airbus and the French Space and Aviation Agency.

Sports in Toulouse:

The city is also very passionate about their sports.  The Stadium Municipal de Toulouse is the grandest stadium in the city.  Various events are hosted there but it is mainly home to the football team, Toulouse FC who compete in the Ligue 1.  As well as the rugby team, Stade Toulousain also known as ‘Les Rouges et Noirs’, who are also rated among the most successful clubs in Europe.

To enjoy the atmosphere of a French match, either football or rugby, this is the perfect place to do so.  Nevertheless, if you don’t get a ticket to a game, you can also experience the ambience in a bar nearby.

Upcoming events:

Furthermore, the country celebrates multiple events throughout the year that you should enjoy:

• The World Music Day is honoured on the 21st June and it’s an unmissable day.  Get your dancing shoes on and enjoy the diverse music stools and concerts going on throughout the whole country.
• The Grand Falconer’s Medieval Festival which brings back to light the Middle Ages.  With various entertainments taking place during 2 days in July at Cordes-sur-Ciel.
• The Tour de France is an unmissable event celebrated in July.  Where the best cyclist cycle for 3,500 km.
• The French National Day or Bastille Day is honoured all over the country, on the 14th July, with a military parade during the day and firework displays at night!
• The New Beaujolais Festival is held in November where the wine that has been flourishing over the months can be enjoyed by wine lovers!

Other events are also celebrated to honour French gastronomy such as Tous au Restaurant and The French Cuisine Festival.  To honour France’s heritage and nature, for instance European Heritage Days and The Mountain Festival.

Why choose Harrison Brook?

If you are moving to Toulouse or already living there. Harrison Brook can assist you with your financial needs. We offer:

• Honest and impartial advice
• First free consultation
• Fully transparent-fees
• Fee-based services rather than commission-based.
• Client-portfolio management

Contact us now and find out how we can help you.