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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.
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