Toulouse Leisure

Toulouse takes full advantage of its prime location in southwestern France, at the foot of the Pyrenees, to offer an array of outdoor activities. The city has done an excellent job in protecting the natural areas which surround it while incorporating walking and leisure facilities.

City parks

Toulouse is blessed with a large number of public parks and gardens, which are either right in the city or just outside it and easily accessible by bus or metro. Most of the parks have maintained paths, game areas and refreshment stalls. The Jardin Compans-Caffarelli has a Japanese garden and a large lake, which create a relaxing atmosphere. The Jardin des Plantes is loved by children for its little train, farm animals and waterfall.

Canals

The canals that wander through the city are one of the highlights of Toulouse and should not be missed. Many of them were established hundreds of years ago and still serve a functional role as a place to walk, bike and exercise. The famous Canal du Midi and its shady banks have over 25kms of wide, flat paths that run along the water’s edge.

If you don’t feel active, take a cruise aboard one of the many boats that ply the canal and enjoy the scenery from a new perspective. Other canals interconnect the Garonne River, Baise River and Lot River, all of which have tour boats and waterside trail systems of their own.

Biking

The topography around Toulouse is ideal for biking, which offers a unique way to explore the city and its surrounding areas. With many kilometres of incredible, flat biking trails running along the Garonne River and the canals, it is quick and easy to get out of the city and into the countryside. There are several cycling shops around the city which rent bikes and gear, and offer maps and advice such as Velo Station Capitole in Charles de Gaulle square.

Golfing

The southwestern region of France has some excellent golf courses with challenging links and great scenery. While Toulouse lacks an abundance of courses, the ones that exist are very nice. The two 18-hole courses at Golf Latitudes Toulouse Seilh, to the northwest of the city, are user-friendly for foreigners and open daily to non-members. Other local courses include Golf de Toulouse-Palmola, Golf de Teoula and Golf de la Ramee, which offers private lessons with an English-speaking professional.

Team sports

Professional football in followed closely in this city with the local team, Toulouse, playing its French Ligue 1 games at the Stade Municipal. Home games are major events and create a buzzing atmosphere around town. Rugby is also popular here and is played at the 10-hectare Sept Deniers sports complex. The main rugby field here can hold up to 12,000 spectators.

Skiing

The Toulouse region is one of the hotspots for skiing in this part of France, with the slopes just a 2-hour drive from the city. The Pyrenees have more than 30 downhill ski resorts as well as a handful of dedicated cross-country skiing areas. The closer resorts include Ax-Bonascre and Pas de la Case-Soldeu, while slightly farther away is the posh Spanish resort of Baquera.