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Removals from the UK to Toulouse with Hamiltons Removals
Toulouse is an excellent place to move to, or study in, particularly if you are interested in aviation. The fourth largest city in France is one of the major European centres of aircraft construction – but the southwestern city has plenty to offer on top of that.
Hamiltons Removals can help with international removals to all parts of France, including Toulouse; here we take a closer look at the city and why it’s a great option for anyone looking to move overseas to France.
The History and Heritage
Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France (after Paris, Marseille and Lyon) with a population of just over half a million people. It’s in southwestern France, about 60 miles (100km) from the border with Spain and Andorra, and the Pyrenees mountains.
The region has been occupied since Iron Age times, but the Romans – who used it as a military outpost – were responsible for effectively ‘moving’ the city closer to the banks of the River Garonne, which meant it was better for trade with neighbouring settlements.
Over the centuries Toulouse was occupied by various empires but became part of the kingdom of France in 1229.
As industry, science and engineering progressed, arms and chemicals manufacturing were an important sector of the economy – the city was usually sheltered from enemy attacks as it was so far south. These eventually resulted in the city becoming the heart of France’s aeronautical industry – the European Airbus is made here.
Education is a big employer too – the city’s University was founded in the 13th century. It is now split into three separate colleges and helps provide the local economy with thousands of graduates, engineers and scientists.
Getting There and Getting Around
Blagnac Airport is around seven miles west of the city. As well as domestic flights (mostly to Paris), there are also flights to several major European cities (including London, Madrid, Frankfurt and Munich). There’s also a regular shuttle bus from the airport to the city centre.
If you are driving over to France through the Channel Tunnel, then the best route Is probably via the A26 from the Calais. Join the A10 south of Paris and pick up the A20 through Nouvelle-Aquitaine all the way down to Toulouse.
Once you are there, there’s a two-line metro network (a third line is under construction) operated by Tisseo, who are also responsible for the trams and buses in the city. Bikes can be rented at various metro stations; the tourist office stocks maps of cycle lanes (there are about 300km worth of cycle lanes in and around the city).
The city centre of Toulouse is quite small, and most of the main tourist attractions can be visited on foot.
The Main Attractions
So, what it there to see in Toulouse? The main square, La Place Du Capitole, contains the city hall; its terracotta pink colour hints at why the city has been called ‘La Ville Rose’ (the Pink City). The city also boasts the Canal d Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage-recognised canal which passes through the city en-route to the Mediterranean Sea.
As befitting the home of French aviation, there’s plenty for aviation enthusiasts and children to enjoy. There’s the Cite de l’Espace (Space City) on the eastern side of the city, the Aeroscopia facility at the airport, which also offers plenty of interactive exhibits as well as telling the story of French aviation, and Airbus also offers tours of its HQ.
Shopping Around and Eating Out
The Galeries Lafayette shopping centre, which is popular across France, is located at 77 rue Alsace Lorraine. The main shopping street in Toulouse is rue Saint Rome. For designer boutiques and high-end goods go to rue de la Pomme.
For something cheaper or more artisan there are plenty of markets around the city; the Basilique St Semin hosts a flea market every Sunday and there’s a food market at Place Victor Hugo.
Favourite Toulouse dishes include roast duck leg, duck liver pate, and cassoulet – a slow-cooked casserole stem made with white beans, a cut of meat, plus pork skin. The meat is often Toulouse sausage, which is a simple mix of pork, salt, pepper and occasionally a little nutmeg.
The areas around Place du Capitole, The Boulevarde de Strasbourg and Place St Georges are lined with cafes and restaurants, for those looking for a culinary treat.
Removals from the UK to Toulouse with Hamiltons Removals
If you are interested in either domestic or commercial removals to Toulouse, then contact East Anglia removal company Hamiltons Removals.
We offer international removals to all parts of France, including Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Nantes and the capital Paris. Our dedicated service provides door-to-door transport using our special European ‘road-train’ vehicles.
Alternatively you could opt for our groupage service, where your move is consolidated with other customers’ to share transport.
Call us on 01379 855203; or you can click here if you want to kick-start the process with a free, no-obligation online quote.
A Guide to the Major Carnivals in Norfolk
All around the country, summer often means local carnivals – communities coming together to celebrate everything that makes their area a great place to live and work in. Carnivals are a long-standing tradition in the country, bringing together local authorities, businesses, schools, sports clubs and more for parades, fetes, fireworks and more (weather permitting…).
There are plenty of local carnivals and festivals to look forward to if you are moving to Norfolk. As experts when it comes to removals to Norfolk (our home county), here’s our handy guide to the major carnivals held throughout the county.
Wells-next-the-Sea
If you are thinking of moving house to Wells-next-the-Sea, then the North Norfolk’s annual carnival is usually in late July or early August – this year it is on Friday 1st-Sunday 10th August.
As with many carnivals, the parade is the centrepiece, with the procession around the town – the floats are joined by push-and-pull along vehicles (and the Carnival Royals are crowned as well).
However, there’s plenty of other activities going on as well – making use of the coastal location there’s a sandcastle competition, as well as gillying (crabbing on the quay). There’s also plenty of other events which cater too adults as well as children; in previous years there have been craft workshops, guided walks around the town, and plenty of concerts from local artists.
Sheringham
The Sheringham carnival has been going on for around 100 years, dating back to the time when the town first had its own railway station and became a popular seaside resort. If you are interested in removals to Sheringham, then this event too is usually held in early August – this year it is from August 4-10.
However, there are also fundraising events laid on by the Carnival Committee throughout the year – for instance this year there is a Classic Car and Bike Show coming up on June 9th.
The main carnival event includes many of the carnival staples, with a parade, and plenty of activities for the youngsters including a funfair, a puppet show and face painting. There’s also usually a street party.
Cromer
The Cromer carnival is usually held slightly later in August – this year it will be on August 17-23.
There has been a street fair in the resort for many years, but it wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s that it took on something like its present form. Initially, the carnival all took place on the pier, but now the parade moves around the town and has a Carnival Queen and attendants.
This year the focus will be on the spectacular, with a flypast from the Battle of Britain flight, as well as a display by the Bolddog FMX Motorcycle Display Team – at the Carnival Field in Runton Road.
Appropriately for the resort, there are plenty of traditional contests such as children’s fancy dress, Bonny Baby and Glamorous Granny.
Norwich
Norfolk’s county town has a Lord Mayor’s Weekend, which is probably the nearest equivalent to a carnival; it started in mediaeval times when the Norwich Guild welcomed the new Lord Mayor.
This year, the event is being held on July 13 and 14. Norwich’s Lord Mayor’s Weekend has many of the components of a traditional carnival – such as a procession and floats – as well as a giant street party, bands, dancers, acrobats and giant puppets.
This year’s event will end with a concert in Chapelfield Gardens in the city centre on the Saturday evening followed by a duck race on the Sunday.
Removals to Norfolk with Hamiltons Removals
If you are interested in removals to Norwich, Wells-next-the Sea, Cromer, Sheringham or any part of Norfolk, then Hamiltons Removals can help.
We have more than three decades’ worth of local experience in helping homeowners and businesses move to the county. Follow this link if you’d like an online quote to set the whole process in motion. You can also book a video survey if that’s more convenient for you.