10 Activities to Enjoy Toulouse as a Family
Ideas for a Great Trip to Toulouse With Your Kids
Ah, family vacations! No matter what our age, we all count the days (or sleeps) until we go on vacation. But even though you should be in high spirits at the start of your long-awaited break, it’s often better to plan your day trips in advance so that the young and not-so-young ones will each find something they enjoy. So if you’re headed to Toulouse for your relaxing break, your trip will bounce from one discovery to the next, each one more rewarding than the last: Heritage, history, science, youth literature, botany and puzzles will all feature in your trip to the ‘pink city’.
Here are 10 activities for enjoying Toulouse as a family.
1. Natural History Museum of Toulouse
Insight into the life that surrounds us
Good for: Families, History, Photo
The Natural History Museum of Toulouse is perfectly located in the center of the city and easily accessible by public transport or car. Parking is available in the green zone in the Allées Jules Guesde for up to 4 hours. The entrance of the museum is through the Botanic Gardens.
The exhibition rooms are real sources of knowledge containing a lot of information encouraging reflection on the relationship between man, nature, and the environment. Before or after your visit, have lunch or a snack in the pleasant setting of the Moaï restaurant, located on the ground floor with a terrace overlooking the Botanic Gardens. It’s easily accessible for people with disabilities.
Location: 35 allées Jules Guesde, 31400 Toulouse, France
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +33 (0)5 67 73 84 84
Natural History Museum of Toulouse
2. Fine houses of Toulouse
A bicycle route lined with splendid architectural works
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
The fine houses of Toulouse bike tour starts at the Saint-Etienne Cathedral and then goes through the district of Les Carmes, famous for its charming lanes. Elegant facades, narrow streets, and interesting things to see follow one after the other to the rhythm of your pedal strokes.
Don’t forget to get off your bicycle to take a look at what goes on behind an open door and to appreciate pretty stone lacework, statuettes, and elegant balconies adorned with wrought iron. It’s a real awakening to architecture for little ones, who will also be delighted to let off steam on their bikes.
Location: Donjon du Capitole, square Charles de Gaulle, 31080 Toulouse, France
Open: Bike hire: Daily from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm.
Tourist Office: Monday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Fine houses of Toulouse
3. The artistic works of the Toulouse metro
Eclectic artistic heritage in the depths of Toulouse
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
The artistic works of the Toulouse metro, on lines A and B, include some 40 works by contemporary artists to brighten passengers’ surroundings. Those in the know will recognize the styles of Sophie Calle, Bernar Venet, Michel Verjux, Jean-Pierre Bertrand, and Roman Oplaka. A dozen works of art are also displayed on the T1 and T2 tram lines.
It is a lovely way to awaken your children’s artistic senses as they climb on board the train or tram. To make the most of it, and to get your teenagers involved, download the free ARTéo app, which lets you design a route to enjoy the works of art.
4. Quai des Petits at the Quai des Savoirs
Science for little ones
Good for: Families, History, Photo
The Quai des Petits at the Quai des Savoirs features a multi-activity area spread over 3 rooms and aimed at children under 7. With a magic mirror, a strange tunnel, curious liquids, and an emotions photo booth, your children will discover the fascinating world of science through play, observation, listening, and experimenting. This activity is free for children under 2 years old and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month.
Adults must accompany children and booking is necessary, via Festik, as each 1.5-hr session is limited to 70 participants. Buggy parking is available at the entrance via Allée Matilda. Get there using public transport, or park your car in the green zone in Allées Jules Guesde.
Location: 35 allées Jules Guesde, 31400 Toulouse, France
Open: Wednesday from 2 to 4 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to noon, noon to 2 pm, and 2 pm to 4 pm, School vacations: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to noon, noon to 2 pm, and 2 pm to 4 pm (Closed Monday)
Quai des Petits at the Quai des Savoirs
5. Puzzles and challenges across the pink city
A life-size game through the streets of Toulouse
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Puzzles and challenges across the pink city allow you to experience themed and unusual trips around Toulouse in a friendly, hands-on atmosphere. There are no guides here as such, but storytellers with a passion for culture, who, above all, want to offer you a pleasant time while enriching your knowledge of the pink city.
The concept is constantly being reinvented, depending on the festivities that take place during the year: Toulouse’s famous women are honored on 8 March, and love takes center stage for a Valentine’s Day special. These are just a few examples, as this concept brings to you a perpetual rediscovery of the city of violets.
6. Toulouse with Violette Mirgue
A trail through the pink city following the footprints of a little mouse
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
Experience Toulouse with Violette Mirgue and let this mouse guide you through the city. Open the book Mystère et Fromage à Toulouse (Mystery and Cheese in Toulouse) and read this thrilling adventure to your children while discovering the Capitole, the Cité de l’Espace, the Bazacle, the Museum,and so many other well-known places in the city.
Walking the whole way can be a lot for smaller children. Spare their little feet by climbing on a tram or taking a welcome rest at an ice-cream parlor, for example. There’s nothing like taking your time with the kids.
7. Jardin des Plantes
A breath of fresh air and a gentle family trot
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
The oasis of calm that is the Toulouse Botanical Gardens is just a stone’s throw from the town center and draws you in with charming waterfalls, fountains surrounded by flowers, and ducks, swans and geese swimming in the stream that runs through it. It’s easily accessible by public transport or by car, with parking in the green area in the Allées Jules Guesde.
Not only is it the ideal place for a picnic, but your children can also enjoy rides on the merry-go-round, open daily from 2 pm, or take the little train to discover the many attractions of this 17-acre public garden with hundreds of plant varieties.
Location: 31 All. Jules Guesde, 31400 Toulouse, France
Open: Daily from 7.45 am to 6.30 pm
Jardin des Plantes
8. Toulouse with the Géodysée application
A tour of the city of violets by quiz and anecdote
Good for: Families, Photo
Experience Toulouse with the Géodysée application, and your children will have a good reason to stay connected to their smartphone or tablet. Following the Dys, imaginary characters, your young adventurers can crisscross the pink city on a mysterious quest. There are several themed routes, and a personalized version is even available. Whatever your choice, there are puzzles to solve, historical anecdotes to listen to about the places you visit, and quizzes to answer.
Young or old, everyone quickly gets into the game and no one notices the miles covered on the streets of Toulouse. All participants are included in a leader table of the fastest, which is additional motivation to discover the secrets of Toulouse.
9. Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation
A duty to remember as a family
Good for: Families, History, Budget
The Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation immerses you in the darkest hours of history and makes you more aware of how lucky we are to live in peace today. This free museum remembers the drama of the Second World War through documents, photographs, weapons, and period objects, and also aims to teach citizenship.
It’s easy to get there by tram or metro; get off at the Saint-Michel – Marcel-Langer station. As soon as they arrive, children over the age of 7 are given a visit and games booklet that allows them to discover the museum’s permanent exhibitions in a fun way.
Location: 52 allée des Demoiselles, 31400 Toulouse, France
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)
Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation
10. La Halle de la Machine and the Minotaur
The fascinating world of theatrical machines
Good for: Families, Photo, Unusual
La Halle de la Machine and the Minotaur lead young and old alike into a fantastic world. Whether they weigh a few grams or several tons, machines such as a wine-serving machine, a tilting nightingale and a bread catapult each tell their own story and impress with their movement. The impressive Minotaur can sometimes be seen wandering around the Montraudan neighborhood with 50 people on board.
Arachnophobes shudder when they meet the giant spider; only the most daring climb onto its head to slip into the skin of its operators. As enchanting as you can imagine, the Manège Carré Sénart brings all generations together for a fabulous imaginary journey. Whatever the desired activity, booking is strongly recommended.
Location: 3 avenue de l’Aérodrome, 31400 Toulouse, France
Open: Hours vary by season
La Halle de la Machine and the Minotaur
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