Toulouse

[ronturner]

Spending five days here. Came down on the train by Intercity from Luçon to Bordeaux, then TGV to toulouse.Excellemt journey and not more than the cost of diesel plus tolls for two of us. No security hassle and all that nonesence.

Nice city. Quite compact. On the whole quite clean but beware everywhere is being dug up.Huge program of works to improve the city by 2020. Most places of interest quite walkable from our hotel:about halfway from the Station to The Capitol which is the centre of the city.

Lots of traffic free areas given up to Peds and bikes.

Quite a few homeless on the streets. You have to decide if they are genuine or not. I think some are. Most not. Spoils the place. Toulouse seems to be quite a safe place. Never feel threatened at any time.

Some very good restaurants and we have eaten well.Charming Indonesian last night.Cassoulet tonight. Regional speciality.

Happened to be here during a 4 week period when all museums are free.making full use of that.

It's possible to visit the Airbus factory.About 20 euro.pre booking essential and passports obligatory. No other form of ID accepted except for citizens is EU countries in which case an ID card is accepted.

Weather good. Pullover needed in evenings now, but fair to sit out and have a drink.

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[Deleted]

I would endorse your comments, Ron. The last time I was there was about five years ago and it still seemed as pleasant as I remembered it. My first visit was in 1985 for a job interview in the sales department of Airbus. Toulouse was very pleasant even then, and I would have taken the job had it not been for family commitments. Since then, I’ve been back many times and watched the city and the airport grow, but always maintaining a sense of proportion. Several of my colleagues did make the move and some of them retired there.

[jetdragon]

Spent some time in TLS when with BAe - would echo Ron's sentiments - a nice town with some excellent eateries. We billeted near the station, and the walk down into the town was through an area then frequented by the "ladies of the night" . Some absolute horrors there - but remember one absolute stunner who looked very out of place.

Some excellent German restaurants which served massive helpings.

[ronturner]

I am asking the question everybody else is thinking ... ,"and just how well did you come to remember that lady?"

[jetdragon]

tsk Ron - always remember a good looking gal (even if she was a professional). As the old adage says..just because you've eaten doesn't mean you can't look at the menu