As a solo feminine traveler who loves France, I at all times advocate including cities past Paris to your itinerary. Travel in a significant capital is thrilling, in fact, however after a number of journeys to France, I’ve discovered that you simply forge deeper connections and create your most memorable moments within the nation’s smaller cities.
Most not too long ago, I explored Toulouse, often known as The Pink City (The Pink City). Before visiting Toulouse, I used to be already fascinated to study that lots of the metropolis’s historic buildings are constructed from heat pink terracotta bricks, which glow superbly at sundown. After a number of European buddies urged me to spend a weekend there, I suspected it could be a magical metropolis for a solo escape, and I used to be proper.
An Easy Weekend from Paris
Toulouse is within the Occitanie area of south-western France. At first, I wasn’t certain a four-and-a-half-hour TGV journey made sense on a nine-day journey, however Toulouse is remarkably accessible, even from Paris. As a girl touring alone, I felt completely comfy on the journey from Gare Montparnasse to Toulouse Matabiau. The direct prepare gave me time to unwind and plan my actions.
A fast be aware: TGV trains are reservation-only, so ebook forward to safe a seat.
Stunning Walks and Architecture
Despite being smaller than Paris, Toulouse affords loads to maintain a solo traveler busy for 2 or three days. I might simply have spent a complete week exploring Occitanie.
Its walkability makes it perfect for touring alone. The metropolis is straightforward to navigate, even should you’re a bit anxious about solo journey, and most main points of interest are inside simple strolling distance.
Your “must-sees” will rely in your pursuits, however Place du Capitole ought to prime the record. This elegant predominant sq. is stuffed with cafés excellent for having fun with a drink whereas admiring the Capitole de Toulouse, which is a beautiful pink constructing that dominates one aspect of the plaza.
I additionally beloved visiting Toulouse’s beautiful church buildings. Solo journey is awe-inspiring and builds exceptional confidence, nevertheless it’s often overwhelming, and stepping right into a quiet sanctuary affords a much-needed second to re-center. Be certain to go to Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse, which is a UNESCO web site, in addition to Basilique Notre-Dame de la Daurade.
Another favourite expertise was a night stroll by way of the Carmes neighborhood, a stylish space lined with boutiques and small eating places. My dinner at La Cuisine À Mémé was particularly memorable. The service was sort to solo diners, and their soup (the home specialty) was incredible.
A Nature Retreat in a City Atmosphere
Toulouse offers solo vacationers the perfect of each worlds: a energetic city environment balanced with serene pure areas.
I extremely advocate a sundown stroll alongside the Garonne River, the place you may admire the Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques and the Pont Neuf. In the evenings, the riverbanks fill with college students, households, and vacationers. This space is a simple place to mix in and benefit from the view, with out worrying whether or not or not you stand out.
Another pretty spot to unwind is the Pierre Baudis Japanese Garden, a peaceable Japanese backyard that felt particularly welcoming through the scorching August afternoons.
For slow-paced exploration, Toulouse’s UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi is right. Whether you like strolling, biking, or just sitting by the water, the canal is a soothing retreat from town middle. Adventurous solo vacationers may even take a leisurely boat journey.
Solo Dining Made Simple
Solo eating is liberating when you get used to it, however sitting at a desk alone can nonetheless really feel intimidating in a model new metropolis. Fortunately, Toulouse creates the proper environment for consuming alone, and you may typically see different solo diners, particularly round lunchtime close to Marché Victor Hugo.
For breakfast, I adored Le Café Cerise, positioned proper beside the river. Their brunch particular, which consisted of avocado and egg toast, orange juice, espresso or tea, and a granola bowl, was one in every of my favourite meals of the journey.
Lunch choices close to Marché Victor Hugo are plentiful, and you’ll’t go flawed with any of them. Furthermore, loads of meals excursions can be found to information you thru the market. Organized meals excursions make it simple to pattern all of Toulouse’s delicacies and make new buddies on the identical time.
If you desire a particular solo dinner, ebook a spot at Cartouches, which has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its wonderful worth and high-quality cooking. Cartouches is a small institution, so reservations are extremely advisable. The small bar is heat and comfy, which makes it excellent for treating your self to a multi-course dinner.
And, in fact, you may’t go away Toulouse with out attempting cassoulet, town’s signature dish of duck confit, white beans, and Toulouse sausage. A hearty French casserole is the proper solo consolation meal, and you will not need to share a chew.
Connections with Locals
As a girl touring alone in Toulouse, I discovered the locals exceptionally welcoming and keen to speak about their metropolis. I stayed at The Social Hub Toulouse, which was fairly priced, centrally positioned, and had the kindest workers, who shared numerous their favourite locations with me.
Thanks to the University of Toulouse, town has a big pupil inhabitants, giving it a younger, energetic power with out feeling overwhelming or chaotic.
Speaking a little bit French is actually useful, however you do not have to be fluent to take pleasure in your keep. I particularly loved chatting with a cashier at The Bookshop, an enthralling and comfy English-language bookstore with an important collection of novels. It is a vital cease for solo vacationers who like to learn throughout these leisurely (and great) meals.
Solo Travel Safety in Toulouse
Toulouse felt very protected all through my go to. I explored town each day and night time and did not encounter the standard vacationer scams which are extra frequent in bigger cities.
It was simple to change off, calm down, and benefit from the church buildings, outlets, and eating places. Basic frequent sense is sufficient to keep protected right here, although, as at all times, share your itinerary with somebody you belief and think about buying journey insurance coverage forward of your journey.
Public transport is environment friendly, protected, and easy to make use of. Tisséo’s metro and buses settle for Apple Pay, so you may simply faucet your telephone and board with out worrying about tickets or day passes. Even with out French, navigating the system was easy.
Easy Historical (and scrumptious) Day Trips
Toulouse makes an excellent base for day journeys, particularly for solo feminine vacationers.
Carcassonne is the area’s hottest tour, and for good motive: it is one in every of Europe’s best-preserved medieval walled cities. The prepare takes about an hour and could be very easy with loads of choices all through the day.
Other great cities embrace Albi (birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec) and Cordes-sur-Ciel, a shocking hilltop village. To maximize my time, I booked an Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel and Gaillac Day Tour with Ophorus. It was wonderful, notably since Gaillac wineries and Cordes are usually not simply accessible by public transport. The small group environment made it easy to attach with different vacationers. Who would not need to make new buddies over wine and high-quality artwork?
Ultimately, Toulouse is a incredible metropolis for solo journey. A energetic pupil power, fascinating historic websites, scrumptious meals, and peaceable pure areas all mix collectively to create a vacation spot that feels welcoming, manageable, and endlessly rewarding, whether or not it is your first journey to France or your fiftieth.
Lead photograph credit score: Toulouse Sunset © Rachel Miller @ Blond Wayfarer
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