Hôtel Dieu
It is summer holiday time!
I had a few options for my 10 days, and the final choice was Toulouse for a week. This is my 3rd visit in the last 5 years – prompted by having spent a year here in the 1970s. As with those other visits, it is good to be back.
Old Toulouse (1)
I have an apartment in the St Cyprien area, just across the river from the city centre, but much quieter and more relaxing.
Those other two visits were in March, so the weather is different this time. The temperature has gone over 30⁰c on two of my four days here up until now.
It is like coming home, and I love feeling so comfortable about the place from the minute I get off the plane.
L’Apéro
My friend R has been staying with me up until today, and introducing her to a city she has never visited before has been a lot of fun.
Old Toulouse (2)
One highlight has been a piano concert at Les Jacobins – part of the Piano Jacobins festival. The venue was stunning – the Cloître – and so was the solo performer – Varvara Nepomnyashchaya.
Les Jacobins
Another was a Sunday afternoon picnic on an island in La Garonne – local grapes, plums, peaches and goat cheese, all bought a few hour before at the St Cyprien market.
La Garonne
The top restaurant meal so far has been at Le Dahu in rue des Blanchers. The food, wine, service and atmosphere were all delightful.
Le Dahu
A surprise highlight has been 3 visits to a popular bar – Le Filochard on the corner quai de Tounis and rue de Metz, right on the river.
Le Filochard
I already knew it is “my kind of place” and when it turned out to be the same for R… It has a really eclectic clientele and friendly efficient staff.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2018 🇪🇺 🇫🇷