Hotels in Toulouse

Staying in Toulouse

Toulouse, the 'pink city', owes its nickname to the brick of its façades, which you discover strolling between the Place du Capitole, the banks of the Garonne and the lanes of the historic centre. A major city of south-west France, it is at once an aerospace hub, a university town and a stepping stone to the Pyrenees. For Moroccan travellers it is often a place to visit a relative, to study or to travel on business rather than a purely tourist stay, which shapes the choice of hotel: near the station, in the centre or in the airport area.

Toulouse's centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, with the metro and tram for the rest. Staying around the Capitole or Place Saint-Georges lets you enjoy the restaurants and the buzz; the Matabiau station district, served by the metro, has a concentration of practical and chain hotels, handy if you arrive by train or leave early. On the left bank, Saint-Cyprien has a quieter neighbourhood feel. The Blagnac area, near the airport, suits business trips and early departures, as long as you are happy to reach the centre by tram or taxi.

Where to stay in Toulouse

• The historic centre (Capitole, Saint-Georges)

  Charming hotels, boutique hotels and mid-range addresses in the pink-brick streets, a stone's throw from restaurants, shops and the riverbanks. Ideal for a sightseeing stay, though some streets are lively at night.

• Around Matabiau station

  Chain hotels and functional addresses, practical for arriving by train or for a short stay. A district for passing through rather than for charm, well connected to the centre by metro.

• Saint-Cyprien, left bank

  Across the Garonne, a lively but more residential district, with quieter hotels and apartments and local markets. The centre is within reach on foot or by metro.

• Blagnac and the airport

  Business and chain hotels near the airport and the aerospace sites, with easier parking. A practical solution for an early flight or a business meeting, less so for sightseeing.

Good to know before you book

• Parking in the city centre is tricky and usually paid: if you are coming by car, choose a hotel with parking or one close to a metro station so you can leave the car outside the centre.
• If you are visiting a student or a relative, look on the map for the district where they live and favour a direct metro line rather than the centre at all costs.
• Rooms in the older hotels of the centre are sometimes small and without air conditioning: in summer, check this point, and ask for a room on the courtyard side if you are staying near lively streets.

Questions about Toulouse

Frequently asked questions