Toulouse

Toulouse is a major city in southwestern France with a population of 514,819 inhabitants. Located on the banks of the Garonne River, it is the capital of the Occitanie region and an important economic, cultural, and academic center. Founded in antiquity as Tolosa, the city was later integrated into the Roman Empire and became a significant regional capital during the Middle Ages.

From the 12th to the 14th centuries, Toulouse prospered through the trade of pastel dye, which financed the construction of many Renaissance townhouses that still characterize its historic center. The city is often nicknamed La Ville Rose (“The Pink City”) because of the distinctive pink terracotta bricks used in its architecture. In the 20th century, Toulouse emerged as Europe’s leading aerospace hub, hosting major institutions such as Airbus and the French space agency CNES.

Notable landmarks include the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Capitole de Toulouse, and the Canal du Midi. Toulouse is also the birthplace of notable figures such as singer Claude Nougaro and footballer Blaise Matuidi.