The basilica of Notre-Dame de la Daurade in Toulouse was originally a temple dedicated to Apollo and was established in 410 when Emperor Honorius allowed the conversion of Pagan temples to Christianity. The church takes pride in holding its place in the list of Monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture. Its organ has also been classified During the 6th century a church was built which was ornated with golden mosaics and it was these golden mosaics which lent the basilica the name ‘Deaurata’ (Latin;aura, gold) which later gave way to its current name. It became a Benedictine monastery … Continue reading →

One of the landmarks of Toulouse is the Capitole which happens to be the seat of the municipal administration of the city. The construction of the original building began in 1190 to serve the purpose of becoming the seat for the government. In the 20th century, the structures surrounding the vast 2 hectares of the area were redesigned. The facade of the Capitole, designed by Guillaume Cammas, is 135 metres long and built of the characteristic pink brick in Neoclassical style. The eight columns represent the original eight capitouls. In 1873, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc built a bell tower typical of the … Continue reading →

Toulouse takes pride in its Saint Sernin Basilica, which is a Romanesque building considered to be the biggest in the western world. This 11th century brick masterpiece is a marvel in itself owing to its size and beauty. This monument is an essential stage on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle pilgrimage and its importance as a pilgrimage increased after Charlemagne (r. 768-800) donated a quantity of relics to it. The church was built between about 1080 and 1120 and stands on the site of a previous basilica of the 4th century which contained the body of Saint Saturnin or Sernin, the first bishop … Continue reading →

Toulouse boasts a total of 160 parks and gardens, hundreds of green areas and six “green zones”, which clearly emphasize the love of the Toulouse people for nature. Apart from these parks and gardens, Toulouse also displays tree-lined streets, squares and the canal towpaths, giving the visitors to the city a feel of being in green heaven. Some of the choicest parks and gardens in Toulouse featuring hundreds of varieties of plants, flowers and trees are: Caffarelli Jardin Compans Boulevard Created in 1981 to replace the former military barracks, this huge park has extended paths meander among the flowerbed and … Continue reading →