Book Cheap Flights to Toulouse from £14

La Ville Rose, so called because of its blushing pink-hued buildings with terracotta decorations, is a picturesque city draped along the banks of the River Garonne in the southwest of France. It enjoys a mild, sunny climate year-round and exudes a laid-back friendly atmosphere. Within its central Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter), among a labyrinth of narrow lanes, visitors on trips to Toulouse can trace its past through UNESCO-listed buildings and Gothic churches. Pavement cafes line sun-dappled squares and cobbled streets providing perfect people-watching vantage points. Toulouse also has some of the most lip-smacking regional cuisine in France, with hearty stews, sausage, goose and duck specialities, and violet confectionary.

Whether you come to revel in the outdoor cafe culture, admire stunning architecture or take a trip around a museum, at the end of a flight to Toulouse, there is plenty to see and do. Majestic buildings include the Romanesque Basilica of Saint-Sernin and 13th century Couvent des Jacobins, while the central Place du Capitole showcases typical Toulouse architecture. The city also plays host to a collection of superb art galleries and museums. Toulouse is also the jumping off point for UNESCO-listed Albi and Carcassonne.

When visiting Toulouse, be sure to:

• Wander around the historic Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter), full of winding lanes and traditional buildings
• Marvel at the exterior and interior of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, featuring 11th century marble reliefs and an octagonal clock tower
• Take a stroll around the 13th century Couvent des Jacobins decorated with 14th-century paintings
• Head to the Place du Capitole to see typical Toulouse architecture, the Capitole (Town Hall) and the Theatre du Capitole
• At the Musée des Augustins take a look at art through ages, including a fine collection of sculptures.
• Visit the Musée Saint-Raymond archaeology museum, which displays archaeological treasures housed within a medieval university building
• Amble or cycle along the picturesque Canal du Midi
• Take a day trip to the UNESCO listed medieval town of Albi, located on the Tarn River
• Sample rustic food and hearty meat dishes in the city's many excellent restaurants
• Sip an aperitif on a pavement café

Choosing a flight to Toulouse gives you the most direct route and the quickest access to these nearby destinations:

• Montauban
• Albi
• Auch
• Pamiers
• Foix
• Muret
• Colomiers
• Blagnac
• Saint-Gaudens
• Villefranche-de-Lauragais