FRANCE

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Paris; Population - 65 million; Currency - Euro MORE FRANCE

After a 3 hour trip from Andorra I arrived in Toulouse for the day before the train to Paris and Eurostar back to London - May 2011.

A 10 Euro note

The Canal du Midi curves around the eastern edge of central Toulouse

You'll come across the Canal du Midi pretty much straight away if arriving by train - this is opposite the Gare Matabieu - Toulouse

A few boats cruise up and down the Canal du Midi - Toulouse

The tower of St-Sernin Basilica peers through the trees - Toulouse

St-Sernin Basilica is surrounded on all sides by a lively market - Toulouse

St-Sernin Basilica was built in the 11th and 12th centuries - Toulouse

Walking down Rue du Taur towards the Capitole - Toulouse

On Rue du Taur is the very thin looking Notre-Dame du Taur church - Toulouse

A quiet side street near the Capitole - Toulouse

The Capitole is the city hall of Toulouse

The Capitole is an impressive sight at night -Toulouse

The Capitole faces onto the Place du Capitole, the city's main square - Toulouse

A local playing music that was an acquired taste...Toulouse

Restaurants lead to the Rue du Taur, with Notre-Dame du Taur church and St-Sernin Basilica in the distance - Toulouse

Restaurants line the Place du Capitole opposite the Capitole building itself - Toulouse

South of the Capitole are the streets and squares of the old town - Toulouse

A building frontage in the old quarter of Toulouse

The area around Place St-Etienne is an attractive place to wander - Toulouse

On the square is St-Etienne Church - Toulouse

The streets off Place St-Etienne - Toulouse

The old quarter - Toulouse

Making my way to the Jardin Royal - Toulouse

The Jardin Royal, or Royal Gardens - Toulouse

Cross one of the pedestrian bridges from the Jardin Royal to the Grand Rond, a major roundabout with a central garden - Toulouse

Linked to the above gardens is the Jardin des Plantes - Toulouse

Artists display paintings on the banks of the Garonne River - Toulouse

Above the artists is an open-air photographic exhibition - Toulouse

A few hours later the banks were packed with sunbathers - Toulouse

Cruises on the River Garonne and Canal du Midi are on offer - Toulouse

The boat returns to the Garonne via a lock separating the river from Canal du Midi - Toulouse

In the canal lock we disappear below the surface and return to river level - Toulouse

Toulouse is a student city which means there's buzzing bars, with several at the end of Rue Pargaminieres, close to the river

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LINKS

http://uk.franceguide.com - French tourist office

www.francemonthly.com

www.eurostar.com - Eurostar train from London to Paris, Brussels and more

www.voyages-sncf.com

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