Museums Toulouse France - Attractions

Located in the Jardin des Plantes, the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle holds a wealth of exhibits and displays that both children and adults can enjoy. The entrance hall showcases huge dinosaur skeletons, but that is only the beginning of a visit into the realm of nature and the environment presented here in the multi-leveled museum. The main floor of the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle has permanent, interactive exhibitions depicting the development of the earth and France over the years. As one continues, the displays become more nature-based, and visitors enter a hall which depicts the animal kingdom, with hundreds of taxidermied animals from every major genus on display. The second floor hosts rotating exhibits which usually focus on particular topics affecting the world today, and there is a large outdoor garden space with a mini labyrinth in the center. Above all, the Musée d’Histoire Natur elle is a multi-faceted view and celebration of nature. - Lauren Messina

The Saint-Raymond museum runs guided tours for 7-10 year olds on Sunday afternoons. The tour lasts about an hour, and covers one of the following subjects: "Roman Toulouse", "Greco-Roman gods and goddesses" or "Hercules, the true story of a Greco-Roman hero". Whilst the children are busy, parents can take in the archaeological treasures of this major museum. There is a gift shop at the entrance and drinks are served in the museum garden. Tours are conducted in French only.

Whether you are a connoisseur of oriental art or merely curious about Asian culture, the Georges-Labit Museum is well worth a visit. Covering more than 3,000 years of history, it displays original works from China, Japan, Nepal, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Tibet. The collection was compiled by the museum's founder, George Labit (1862-1899), who travelled the world looking for vestiges of little-known civilisations. There are regular themed exhibitions, e.g. on the subject of Tibetan art and the Tantric religious movement. There are also ancient Egyptian Coptic fabrics from the 4th to the 7th centuries on display. Inquire about guided tours.

Les Abbatoirs literally means ‘The Slaughterhouses,’ and these former ones now house Toulouse’s foremost contemporary art museum. Always thought-provoking, les Abbatoirs hosts rotating exhibits by some of today’s most innovative creators. Spanning three levels, the artwork ranges from painting and sculpture to projection and mixed media. The museum hosts seasonal openings, and there is a library attached, which is useful for both the average art enthusiast who wants to learn more and the dedicated researcher who is working on a related project. The starkness of the interior of the building contrasted with the originality of the work is always interesting. Les Abbatoirs is surrounded by a large garden which, containing several sculptures and an old-fashioned merry-go-round, is a lovely spot to while away an inspired afternoon. - Lauren Messina

Toulouse's abattoir, which closed in 1988, is now a museum. Paintings, sculptures, and photographs by more than 700 artists from all over the world are on permanent exhibition. Always original, sometimes shocking, the works captivate the public; particularly enchanting is Picasso's La Dépouille du Minotaure en costume d'Harlequin (1936). In addition to a media library and bookshop, the centre also has lectures, guided tours,multi-media workshops and a plastic arts room for children. The hours vary seasonally, for specific timings, call ahead or check the website.

This monastery, which dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, exhibits the town's largest selection of medieval sculptures (Romanesques and Gothic) and paintings. The collection contains works from the Italian, Flemish and Dutch schools including pieces by Rubens and Le Perugin and French artists from the 16th-20th centuries (Toulouse-Lautrec, Manet, etc.). The monastery itself has a chapel with two beautiful cloisters as well as a unique collection of Romanesque capitals. The museum also organizes guided tours and lectures.

Housed in the Besson mansion, this original museum exhibits diverse objects, furniture and works of art from the Middle Ages. There are many drawings and etchings by Toulouse artists and there are collections of glassware, ironwork, enamel, gold and silver, pottery, and wooden and ivory sculptures. The reconstruction of an old pharmacy is worth a visit in itself. The hours vary seasonally, for specific timings, call ahead or check the website.

This museum changes its poster exhibition three times a year. The collections are diverse, sometimes devoted to a specific French or foreign artist, such as Toulouse-Lautrec or Folon, sometimes concerned with such themes as the bicycle, May 1968, or the circus. Calendars, promotional packaging (branded tins, etc.) are all on sale. A large sign outside announces the current exhibition. A good attraction for all ages. Admission: free

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Taking its name from the former salt warehouses, this square used to welcome lively fairs with jugglers and bear-keepers. It was also the site for hanging, beheading and wheel torture. The Place du Parlement is opposite; there are a few remains of the parliament (closed down in 1790) inside the present Cours d'Assises building. Outside among the plane trees stands a statue of Cujas, a famous local lawyer. On the opposite side, French kings used the large building on the corner when they stayed in Toulouse; since 1908 it has been a Protestant temple. On the right-hand side, the Seilhan house also called "Inquisition House" has been converted into a museum. End your visit with the Catholic Institute nearby to see a fragment of the Gallo-roman city walls.

Take exit 17 from the ring road to access this spectacular museum. Wander through the maze of the astronomic park before going in to see the exhibition. The latter explores astonishing technological inventions with interactive displays, but the museum's highlight is the Planetarium. There's a restaurant and shop. For specific timings, call ahead or check the website.

In the first century AD, the Romans built a large rural sanctuary about 4km west of Toulouse. All that remain are the swimming baths (now in the basement of an apartment building), and the amphitheatre, once used for gladiators' tournaments. During the 4th century, a lot of the bricks were removed from the latter, and used in the construction of other buildings. But some features, like the vomitoriums, are well preserved. All in all, it's well worth a visit. The guided tours, organized by the Saint-Raymond museum, include both the amphitheatre and the baths; book in advance.

This museum in Rue Tripière recreates the history and spirit of the guild. The guild was formed not only to train young people in traditional skills such as cabinet making, stone cutting or carpentry, but also to share and spread knowledge. After apprenticeship, the young members toured France to meet masters in different regions. Only after several years of training could they create a masterpiece.

This park comprises three large gardens, which are connected by footbridges above the traffic: the Jardin des Plantes, Jardin Royal and Grand Rond. Wide paths wind around old trees, fountains, flowerbeds and ponds, and there are swings and pony-rides for the children. The Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens) was created in 1886, and was the venue for the Universal Exhibition in 1887. The Natural History Museum is also situated here. Admission: free