Toulouse Guided Walking tour Private
Highlights
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Get to Know ‘La Ville Rose’ from the Expert’s Perspective
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Enter the Magnificent Saint Sernin Basilica
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Walk Through the Convent Des Jacobins
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Local Tour Guide, Toulouse Expert
Summary
Private Guided Walking Tour of Toulouse with your own personal licensed tour guide. Get to Know ‘La Ville Rose’ from the Expert’s Perspective and learn about the architecture, history and culture of this unique city.
Tour info
Duration
2 hours
Group Size
15
Pricing (From)
per group pricing:
(18-99 years)
€250.00
Commentary
English
Meeting Point
Dropoff location
Why take this tour?
As Lonely Planet puts it: “Toulouse might just be France’s most overlooked city". Known as ‘La Ville Rose’ (the Pink City) thanks to the dusky-pink bricks used in many of its buildings, it’s the country’s fourth-biggest metropolis and has one of the largest universities outside Paris. Other nicknames of the City of Toulouse include the City of Violets and the Cité Mondine.
But this vibrant southern city has so much going for it: a crackling cultural scene, a beautiful old quarter packed with hôtels particuliers (private mansions) and a glorious location at the confluence of the Canal du Midi and the River Garonne.
Throw in some of the southwest’s finest food markets and restaurants, and it becomes hard to think of any trip to France that shouldn’t include a few days in Toulouse.
Meet your English speaking licensed tour guide
Today, meet your licensed tour guide directly at your accommodation or Hotel lobby who is a specialist in private tours and historical walking tours in Toulouse. With your own private guide, you will have the opportunity to explore the history of the rose city and discover its cultural richness.
Visit Saint Sernin Basilica
Depart with your licensed tour guide and first discover Saint Sernin Basilica, one of the most glorious churches on the medieval pilgrimage road to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a masterpiece of Romanesque art. This exquisite church, built between the 1th to 13th centuries, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Constructed from the red bricks typical of Toulouse, the Basilica has a five-aisled nave and three-aisled transept in the Romanesque style. Visit the Basilica with your guide. After the visit of the Basilica, head towards the ‘Couvent des Jacobins’ Church.
Visit Couvent des Jacobins
A beautiful example of Southern Gothic architecture, the Couvent des Jacobins was founded as a Dominican monastery in the 13th century. Built between 1260 and 1292 it was constructed entirely from the red bricks of Toulouse and has a similar tower to the Basilique Saint-Sernin.
The massive and austere exterior contrasts with the delicate interior architecture. Inside the convent’s church, the two-aisled nave features inspiring vaulting with the famous palm-frond shaped ribs radiating from seven central piers in the choir.
Visit the Capitole, Toulouse Town Hall
Finally, end the tour with the visit of the ‘Capitole’, the city’s Town Hall located on the main square of Toulouse. The name “Capitole” referred not only to the Roman Capitol but also to the Capitulum which was the chapter of the governing magistrates.
In the 20th century, the structures surrounding the vast Place du Capitole were redesigned. Some of the interior of the Capitole can be traced back to the 16th century, but the current façade, 135 metres long and built of the characteristic pink brick in Neoclassical style, dates from 1750. The eight columns represent the original eight Capitouls.
A thorough redesign of the Place du Capitole in 1995 reserved the space for pedestrians. Today the Capitole houses the city hall, as well as the Theater, an opera company and a symphony orchestra. The Salle des Illustres contains 19th century works of art and sculptures that represent the most famous persons originating from Toulouse.
Other tour options in Toulouse
Since this is a private tour, it is also possible for us to include the visit of other iconic sites of Toulouse. We will open up the doors of the Occitan culture especially if you would like to participate in a tour based on the story of the Cathars. Other charming historical sites of Toulouse include the Cathedral, the Saint-Raymond Museum of Antiques or the Bemberg Foundation located in a private Mansion.
What’s included?
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Meet your guide at your accommodation in Toulouse -
2 hour Private Guided walking tour of Toulouse -
English speaking licensed guide -
Entrance fees, tasting fees or activity fees
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Personal insurance and expenses
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Gratuities for the guide
Things to know
Before you book
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Group size of 1 to 15 participants maximum
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Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
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Currency is in Euros
Before you go
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Please be ready 10 minutes before arrival time
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Tour available all year round (except May 1st, Dec 25th and Jan 1st)
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Tour involves some walking, comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Cancellation Policy
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Ophorus requires full payment by credit card, internet payment (through our website) or wire transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest) to make a reservation. We accept payment by AMEX, Visa and Master Card. There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund:
> Up to 30 days before the service, 100% refund
> From less than 30 days to 15 days before the service, 20% fee
> From 14 days to 4 days before the service, 50% fee
> From 3 days before the service, 100% fee
About operator:
Ophorus Tours is both a licensed Tour Operator, member of Atout France and ETOA, and a Transportation company with headquarters in Bordeaux. We operate since 2005 and conduct Walking Tours, Day Trips, Private Tours, Shore Excursions and multi-regional Tours throughout France.
Our multilingual office staff is made up of France Travel Experts that design unique itineraries for both individuals and groups. Their perfect knowledge of the destination allows them to suggest carefully crafted programs to professionals of the Travel Trade all over the world.
Our in house team of licensed, multilingual Tour Guides are local Experts that can conduct any type of tours including (but not limited to) Cultural & Historical, Food & Wine, Luxury, Battlefields, Active, Family friendly, Faith-based etc...
Our multilingual office staff is made up of France Travel Experts that design unique itineraries for both individuals and groups. Their perfect knowledge of the destination allows them to suggest carefully crafted programs to professionals of the Travel Trade all over the world.
Our in house team of licensed, multilingual Tour Guides are local Experts that can conduct any type of tours including (but not limited to) Cultural & Historical, Food & Wine, Luxury, Battlefields, Active, Family friendly, Faith-based etc...
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