Its design is a bit different from that of the normal churches of that era. Its imposing sculptures and frescoes are also a beautiful sight. The building’s main shape is in the form of a crucifix with an ambulatory, a walkway that goes around the nave and side aisles to allow for viewing of the radiating chapels.

The church is extremely beautiful to look at and though its architect didn’t stick to the usual church plan, it continues to exude all the peace that a church is wont to do. The large and spacious interior of the church consists mainly of a central nave which is barrel vaulted and four aisles that have rib vaults and are supported by buttresses.

A marble altar designed by Bernard Gelduin, is another one of its most precious possessions, the other being the crypt of Saint Saturnin and Saint Honoratus. A large three-manual Cavaillé-Coll organ, considered to be the most important organ ever built in France is also present here.

The basilica’s old serene surrounding of cloisters and monastic buildings has recently been replaced by new domestic buildings. However a lovely garden has been installed in its east corner as an attempt to revive the old sacred atmosphere of the church.

Red bricks feature a lot in the building’s façade with white stones used for decoration here and there. Corbels carved with human and animal figures line many of the rooflines. Last but not the least is the huge tower rising as high as 65 metres high with five tiers.

On the whole the church’s exterior is breathtaking and worth visiting. The garden at its east end provides peace enough for one to realize that this building is in fact a church.

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 during the 9th century.

In 1761, the structure was demolished in order to construct Toulouse’s riverside quays. The buildings were restored and a new church rebuilt, but the monastery was closed during the French Revolution, becoming a tobacco factory.

The basilica had housed the shrine of a Black Madonna. The original icon was stolen in the fifteenth century, and its first replacement was burned by Revolutionaries in 1799 on the Place du Capitole. The icon presented today is a 1807 copy of the fifteenth century Madonna. Blackened by the hosts of candles, the second Madonna was known from the sixteenth century as Our Lady La Noire.

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 style of northern France on top of the donjon of the building. Only the Henri IV courtyard and gate survive from the original medieval buildings.

The Capitole is home to the city hall, as well as the Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse opera company and a symphony orchestra. The Salle des Illustres contains 19th century works of art.

A visit to Toulouse would be incomplete without a visit to this vast landmark of the city which springs to life and reaches the epitome of beauty at night.

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 of Toulouse in c. 250.

The church building is of a massive size in the form of a crucifix. Unlike many of the earlier churches, the ceilings of this church are vaulted and there is also an ambulatory, a walkway that goes around the nave and side aisles to allow for viewing of the radiating chapels (which could be done while mass was being held without interrupting the ceremony). For these and other reasons, St. Sernin’s is often said to follow the “pilgrimage plan” instead of the traditional basilica plan.

The bell tower of the church which stands directly over the transept crossing is noteworthy and is slightly inclined towards the west direction, which is why from certain standpoints the bell tower roof, whose axis is perpendicular to the ground, appears to be inclined to the tower itself. The chevet consists of nine chapels, five opening from the apse and four in the transepts. There are two doorways, the Porte des Comtes and the Porte des Miégeville.

The interior of the basilica measures 115 x 64 x 21 meters, making it vast for a Romanesque church. The central nave is barrel vaulted; the four aisles have rib vaults and are supported by buttresses. Directly under the tower and the transept is a marble altar, consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1096 and designed by Bernard Gelduin. The church happens to be the burial site of Saint Saturnin and Saint Honoratus as well. The crypt contains the relics of many other saints.

Caffarelli Jardin Compans Boulevard
Created in 1981 to replace the former military barracks, this huge park has extended paths meander among the flowerbed and pond to reach the Garden of Japanese that is designed as a garden of traditional meditation. The park also features raked gravel arithmetical design, artificial hills, a teahouse, a wooden bridge, a lake, a kid’s playground & a refreshments booth.

Japanese garden
Being a fusion of existing Japanese gardens and the gardens of Kyoto built between the 14th and 16th centuries, it features the mineral world, the plant world and the aquatic world, as well as the typical decorative elements such as a surrounding wall, a Zen garden, bridges, lanterns and a teahouse in the centre of the garden, based upon the teahouse in the gardens of the Katsura Palace.

Jardin the plantes Mistral Allee Frederic
There are three gardens in this park that are connected through the footbridges above traffic. These gardens are Jardin Royal, Grand Rond and the Jardin of Plantes. Wide lane wind around ancient trees, flowerbeds, ponds, and fountains, there are swing and pony-ride to the children.

The Palais of the Berbie
The construction of this building was started in the 2nd half of the thirteenth century by Albi Bishops near Sainte-Cécile cathedral and the Tarn banks. The structure displays medieval design, and has remarkably thick and high walls enclosing a court for honor and the keep. In the eighteenth century, this structure was transformed onto a stately palace along with French style normal gardens and sumptuous salons. The park stands very near to the Toulouse’s administrative centre and the Pierre Baudis conference centre. With its tea pavilion and a range of oriental plants, the gardens are a hit with the young and old alike.

Albi
This beautiful town stands along the river Tam and is about 80 km from Toulouse. It is easily accessible by train.

Cahor
Standing along the river Lot, this beautiful village has a lot of attractions to offer, viz, Point Velentre, Cathédrale Saint-Étienne,Croix Magne/Monte Saint Cyr, a boat ride in river Lot, cave of Pech Merle and many more.

Couilloure
This beautiful beach along the Mediterranean sea, stands at just a two hours journey by train from Toulouse. Tourists can spend their time with a boat ride in Mediterranean sea, taking a walk along the Spanish border through wine fields or visiting an old castle just next to the sea shore.

Lourdes
Nearby Toulouse, lies Lourdes which is famous for pilgrimage. Enthusiasts can go further for trekking or hiking in Pyrenees.

Foix
Foix is just one hour journey by train from Toulouse and stands in the valley of Pyrenees mountain range close to Spain, Andora. Tourists can enjoy themselves with mountain biking, cannoying in river Arieage and treking along GR10 path.

Amenities at the Hotel: 24-Hour Front Desk, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled Guests, Elevator, Airconditioning are some of the facilities provided. Wired internet is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge. Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

Hotel Rules:  The Check in time for the hotel is from 12:00-00:00 hours and the Check out time is until 12:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 12 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. There is no capacity for extra beds in the room. Maximum capacity of babycots in a room is 1. Any type of extra bed or baby cot is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges. American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard are all acceptable for payment. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.

Hotel Room Types and Tates:

Double room: €79
Included in room price: 5.50% VAT
FREE cancellation

Triple Family Room: €100
Included in room price: 5.50% VAT
FREE cancellation

Twin Room: €79
Included in room price: 5.50% VAT
FREE cancellation

Single Room: €79
Included in room price: 5.50% VAT
FREE cancellation

Amenities at the Hotel: 24-Hour Front Desk, Family Rooms, Elevator, Heating, All Public and Private spaces non-smoking are some of the facilities provided. Other facilities include breakfast in the Room. Public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and charges are applicable.

Hotel Rules: The Check in time for the hotel is from 15:00-00:00 hours and the Check out time is until 07:00-12:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 2 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years are charged EUR 10 per night per person for cots. There is no capacity for extra beds in the room. Maximum capacity of babycots in a room is 1. Any type of extra bed or baby cot is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel. Pets are allowed .Charges may be applicable. Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Carte Bleue, Maestro are all acceptable for payment. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.

Hotel Room Types and Rates:

Single or Double Room – Shower: €69
Included in room price: 5.50% VAT
FREE cancellation

Triple Room with Bath: €86
Included in room price: 5.50% VAT
FREE cancellation

Single or Double Room – Bath: €76
Included in room price: 5.50% VAT
FREE cancellation

Amenities at the Hotel: The hotel offers a Restaurant, Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Non-Smoking Rooms, Elevator, Safety Deposit Box, Soundproofed Rooms, Heating, Luggage Storage, All Public and Private spaces non-smoking, and Airconditioning. The guests can enjoy with Activities like Hiking and Cycling. Other Services include Room Service, Babysitting/Child Services, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Souvenirs/Gift Shop, Bicycle Rental, Packed Lunches, Car Hire, and Fax/Photocopying. Wi-fi is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge. Public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and charges are applicable.

Hotel Rules: The Check in time for the hotel is from 12:00 hours and the Check out time is until 12:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 5 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years stay free of charge for cots. Maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room is 1. Any type of extra bed or baby cot is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable. Accepted credit cards are American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, and Diners Club. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Hotel Room Types and Rates:

Comfort Double Room
Included in room price: 5.50 % VAT
Not included in room price: EUR 0.90 city tax per person per night.
• FREE cancellation: € 150

Privilege Double Room
Included in room price: 5.50 % VAT
Not included in room price: EUR 0.90 city tax per person per night.
• FREE cancellation: € 180

Superior Double Room
Included in room price: 5.50 % VAT
Not included in room price: EUR 0.90 city tax per person per night.
• FREE cancellation: € 220

Amenities at the Hotel: 24-Hour Front Desk, Non-Smoking Rooms, Elevator, Safety Deposit Box, Heating, Luggage Storage, All Public and Private spaces non-smoking – are some of the facilities provided. Other facilities include – Room Service, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Fax/Photocopying. Wi-Fi is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge. Private parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is needed) and costs EUR 10 per day.

Hotel Rules: The Check in time for the hotel is from 14:00 hours and the Check out time is until11:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 2 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years are charged EUR 7 per night per person for cots. All older children or adults are charged EUR 8 per night per person for extra beds. All older children or adults are charged EUR 8 per night per person for extra beds. Any type of extra bed or baby cot is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel. Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable. American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Carte Bleue, Diners Club, JCB– are all acceptable. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.

Hotel room types and Rates:

Club Double Room: €102.50
Included in room price: 5.50 % VAT
FREE cancellation

Executive Suite: €175
Included in room price: 5.50 % VAT
FREE cancellation

Club Single Room: €102.50
Included in room price: 5.50 % VAT
FREE cancellation

Executive Room: €139
Included in room price: 5.50 % VAT
FREE cancellation