Best things to do in Toulouse

Some of the interior of Le Capitole can be traced to the 16th century, but the current Neoclassical façade dates back to 1750. Made of pink marble and 135 m (443 ft) long, it boasts eight columns that represent the original eight capitals of the 16th century. In 1873, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc built the bell tower on top of the donjon or inner tower, in the typical northern French style. Only the Henri IV courtyard and gate survive from the original medieval buildings. Today the building houses the city hall, as well as an opera company and a symphony orchestra.

A theme park focused on space and our conquests in it, Cite de l'espace is an immensely popular museum filled with interactive exhibits for the whole family. Children and space enthusiasts enjoy the full-scale models, including the 55 m (180 ft) Ariane 5 rocket, the Mir space station, and the Soyuz modules. A control room mock-up allows you to prepare a rocket for launch, assisting with its flight plan and then placing a satellite into orbit. Be sure to visit the Australia building, with its 300-seat IMAX cinema and a 280-seat planetarium equipped with a hemispherical 600 sq m (6,458 sq ft) screen.

A masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, Basilique Saint-Sernin has undergone significant renovations over the past 40 years to make it a worthy pilgrimage site on the route of St. James. One of its main attractions is a contemporary bust sculpture of John Paul II. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the basilica features a bell tower, 12th-century mural paintings, a crypt, a treasure trove, and the can’t-miss marble altar dating back to 1096 CE, when it was directly consecrated by Pope Urban II. If you're lucky, you'll hear a talented organist play the circa 1888 grand Cavaillé-Coll organ.

In the former convent of Augustin, Musee des Augustins features a rare collection of Roman sculptures and local masterpieces from the 19th century and the Gothic era. A newer wing built at the end of the 19th century by architect Viollet-Le-Duc and his pupil, Darcy, features a monumental staircase and large rooms filled with natural sunlight. The collections total over 4,000 pieces of religious art and works by Old Masters. Art workshops are available for adults and children alike; advanced reservations are recommended. Download audio guides in English from the website to enjoy while visiting the museum.

Cité de Carcassonne, a fully restored, fortified French town dates back more than 2,000 years. This site is widely considered one of the best examples of a well-preserved medieval city with heavy fortifications. A classic fortress on a high peak features architectural influences from the Romans, fifth-century Visigoths, and later occupants. You can explore two rings of fortified walls with battlements, conical towers, bridges, stone streets, and medieval buildings. A famous Gothic cathedral with carved stone columns and stained glass windows crowns the city.

Housed in an entirely brick building built in the 13th century, Church of Les Jacobins has a massive, even austere exterior that contrasts with its extraordinarily light-filled interior. Inside the palm, 22 ribs support the choir of this Southern Gothic church. The cloister, sanctuary, chapter house, and chapel contain original relics of St. Thomas Aquinas, in all their restored glory. The cloister hosts cultural events such as festivals and concerts, and you’ll find temporary exhibitions in the former convent refectory.

Set halfway up a cliff in the Alzou canyon, Cite Religieuse can be reached by walking up Grand Escalier stairway or by paying a nominal fee to take an elevator down. Visitors who take the elevator miss the landing 140 steps up, which has a fine view of this fort. At the top, see the 11th-century Place St. Amadour, paved with white stone and surrounded by 7 chapels set inside 12th-century buildings, including St. Sauveur Basilica, St. Amadour crypt, and the chapel of Notre-Dame, with its famous statue of the Black Madonna. Don’t miss the superbly intact frescoes from the 12th century in the Romanesque St. Michel chapel, which is built into the cliff face.

Grab comfortable shoes and a warm sweater to explore Gouffre de Padirac, a 33-m (108-ft) wide natural chasm that's 13 C (55 F) all year long. After you descend 103 m (994 ft) using the elevator, lifts, and staircases, you'll board a boat on the the subterranean river for a 500 m (1,640 ft) ride. At Rain Lake, resume your tour of the Great Caves on foot, past formations wrought by a millennia of erosion from flowing water. The caves and surrounding parks are family friendly, with children's activities, a picnic site, a restaurant, a park, and a gift shop. To avoid long lines, book advanced tickets online for admission, the tour, and elevator access.