Toulouse: A City of Food, Beauty, and a Start to Healing

This trip to France marked a first for Joe and me together. I’d been to Paris years ago, but this was our first time experiencing France side by side—and after all we’ve been through recently, being here felt like exactly what we needed. Toulouse, with its golden light, winding streets, and slow, delicious meals, gave us room to breathe, reconnect, and begin to heal.

Eating Our Way Through Toulouse

Let’s start with the food—because Toulouse absolutely knows how to feed the soul.

The Victor Hugo Market was a dream. The scent of warm bread, aged cheeses, and duck fat sizzling on a grill was intoxicating. Overwhelmed in the best way, we wandered from stall to stall, soaking in the atmosphere. I wish I could bottle that smell—it’s the aroma of joy.

Then came the meals. At Prima Bonheur, we had truffle pizza—possibly one of the best pizzas of my life. At Bistroquet à la Une, we went full-on indulgence with truffle pasta and gorgonzola gnocchi, each bite rich and comforting. We couldn’t leave without trying duck confit at Au Gascon, and it did not disappoint—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, everything I’d hoped a classic French dish would be.

Cartouches was another gem, where we chose the prix fixe menu. Every course impressed, but the meringue at the end was unforgettable—crisp on the outside, pillowy on the inside, like biting into a sweet, airy cloud.

Magic, Machines, and Medieval Beauty

Beyond the food, Toulouse surprised and delighted us in so many ways.

We spent an afternoon at the Halle de la Machine, where massive animatronic creatures lumbered and breathed like something out of a mechanical fantasy. It was surreal and mesmerizing. Later, we visited the Couvent des Jacobins, a serene 13th-century convent with towering columns, a peaceful cloister, and an elegant garden path—proof of the city’s rich medieval past.

The contrast between the two experiences—futuristic marvels and ancient stillness—captured the essence of Toulouse.

The River, the Protest, and Finding Our Footing Again

Some of our most meaningful moments were the quietest—strolling along the Garonne River, crossing the Pont Neuf, and watching the city glow in the sunset. There’s something grounding about being near water, a steady rhythm that invites reflection.

Then, one afternoon, we found ourselves swept up in a massive anti-fascism protest. Thousands filled the streets with powerful chants and fierce solidarity. Toulouse has a proud history of resistance, and standing among those voices was emotional, humbling, and unforgettable.

A City That Gave Us Space to Heal

This wasn’t just a sightseeing trip—it was a reminder of the beauty in everyday things: slow meals, spontaneous detours, meaningful moments. Toulouse welcomed us with warmth, flavor, and depth. It reminded us how good it can feel to simply be.