A Comprehensive Guide about Living in Toulouse

Life in Toulouse

Education in Toulouse

Toulouse, as with all cities in France, benefits from the country’s outstanding education system, which is divided into primary education, secondary education, and higher education. At the age of 18, students take the baccalauréat in order to qualify for entry into a university course.

Toulouse is particularly well-known for its higher education facilities, and is home to a variety of fine institutions, including the Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, and a number of prestigious engineering schools, such as École Nationale de L’Aviation Civile, and the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées. 2011 saw three of the city’s universities listed in the QS World University Rankings and unlike many developed countries, higher education in France is practically free. Those wishing to do a master’s in Toulouse should note that a French master’s degree is two years in duration.

Transportation in Toulouse

With a metro, tram, and bus network serving the city of Toulouse, those wanting to get around with ease can do just that, and at the extremely reasonable price of 5.50 EUR for a day pass. A total of 81 bus services run throughout the city, while Metro lines A and B operate even in the small hours of the morning, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays.

The city’s free and eco-friendly electric buses are a fantastic way to get around Toulouse, and this service stops at les Carmes, les Quais de la Garonne, le Quartier Saint-Etienne, le Boulevard de Strasbourg, la Place Wilson, la Place du Capitole, and la Place Jeanne d’Arc.

Culture and Leisure in Toulouse

Those new to life in Toulouse are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do, from museums and churches, to weekend ski trips in the Pyrenees. Many begin with the Place du Capitole, the city’s iconic building, and one which houses the city hall and Toulouse’s opera company, the Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse. Also performing within this building is the symphony orchestra. The impressive square in front of this building is a gathering point for visitors.

Following this, other notable monuments to visit include Cathedrale St-Etienne, the Basilique Sanitarian, and Church of Les Jacobins, all of which are situated around Pont Neuf, the city’s famous bridge.

When it comes to the museums of Toulouse, the most iconic is Musée des Augustins. Housed in a Gothic style building that was first home to the city’s Augustinian convent, the museum boasts a comprehensive collection of sculptures and paintings from the 15th to the 20th century. In addition to this, other notable museums include the Museum of Toulouse / Museum of Natural History, Musee Georges Labit, and Musee Saint-Raymond.