As well as being a fabulous destination in its own right, the Pink City of Toulouse is an excellent base for exploring southwestern France. And thanks to great rail connections, you can easily discover medieval fortresses, wine regions and historic towns without the hassle of driving.
These are my favourite day trips from Toulouse by train. Most are within a one-hour train journey of La Ville Rose.
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1. Albi: A Red-Brick Masterpiece
If I were forced at gunpoint to pick my favourite Toulouse train trip, this UNESCO World Heritage site would be it.
Nicknamed La Ville Rouge, Albi is dominated by red brick architecture. The hulking Sainte-Cécile Cathedral is the largest brick-built cathedral in the world, its fortress-like exterior contrasting with an opulently decorated interior.
Next door, Palais de la Berbie, the former episcopal palace, houses the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, dedicated to the city’s favourite son. Take a wonderful chronological journey through his life and art, from early paintings of horses and dogs to his famous Parisian posters and lithographs.
Spend your afternoon wandering the narrow medieval streets that make up the historic centre, stopping at St. Salvi Church and Cloister. Finally, cross the ancient Pont Vieux over the River Tarn to the eighteenth-century suburb of La Madeleine for the views over Albi’s Old Town.
READ THIS NEXT >>> My Guide to Albi
2. Carcassonne: Medieval Time Travel
I won’t dress it up. In my book, Carcassonne is hugely overrated. That said, this fairy-tale fortress city is one of France’s most remarkable sights.
The lovingly restored medieval citadel (La Cité), with its 52 towers and double-walled fortifications, seems to float above the new town. It’s medieval military engineering at its finest.
The imposing Château Comtal, the walled town’s inner fortress, delivers a real medieval experience. My highlight was ambling along its inner ramparts (prepare yourself for lots of stone steps and spiral staircases).
Saint-Nazaire Basilica has exceptional stained glass, especially the enormous 13th-century rose window depicting the life of Jesus. I loved the gargoyles along the apse and the carved heads above the basilica’s door.
If you prefer someone else to take care of the arrangements for you, consider joining this inexpensive day tour to Carcassonne from Toulouse. An audioguide comes as part of the deal.
READ THIS NEXT >>> Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting?
3. Rabastens: Riverside Calm
Rabastens offers a slice of rural French life without the tourist crowds.
This small town on the Tarn River is home to the Notre-Dame-du-Bourg church, a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. Its exceptional medieval frescoes smother virtually every surface.
I took a marvellous walk along the ramparts that once encircled Rabastens, protecting it from invaders during turbulent medieval times. There are excellent views across the town, the Tarn River and the surrounding countryside.
The historic Castle Quarter (Quartier du Château) has narrow winding streets lined with half-timbered houses and elegant mansions. If you want to learn more about the town’s history, pay a visit to Musée du Pays Rabastens, housed in a former mansion.
READ THIS NEXT >>> My Guide to Rabastens
4. Lille-sur-Tarn: Bastide Town Gem
Often overlooked by guidebooks, sleepy Lisle-sur-Tarn is a beautiful example of a 13th-century bastide town. I didn’t spot any other tourists when I visited.
Bastides are fortified towns that emerged in the 13th and 14th centuries, and are common in southwestern France. Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse, founded Lisle-sur-Tarn as a bastide in the 13th century.
Its architecture is remarkable; brick and half-timbered buildings featuring pountets, a living room linking two buildings and overlooking the street.
The central square (Place Paul Saissac) is the largest arcaded square in the Southwest of France, and is lined with buildings made from local pink brick. The most important is the town hall (L’Hôtel de Ville), formerly the home of the prominent De Boisset family.
The 16th-century Our Lady of the Rushes (L’Église Notre Dame de la Jonquière) is the sacred centre of town. Head to Le Musée Raymond Lafage if you are an art lover. It displays the work of this Lisle-sur-Tarn native, famous for his mythological prints and drawings.
READ THIS NEXT >>> My Guide to Lisle-sur-Tarn
5. Gaillac: Uncorked Secrets
This historic riverside town has oodles of medieval charm, the striking Abbey of Saint-Michel and, of course, the sublime produce of its ancient vineyards.
Start your day at Gaillac’s Saint Michel Abbey-Church (Abbaye Saint-Michel). Dating from the 10th century, its cavernous interior has a magnificent ribbed ceiling, superb stone carvings, faded frescoes and niches housing small altars.
But let’s talk about the wine. I tasted local varieties at Maison des Vins, within Abbaye Saint-Michel; four whites, one red and one sparkling wine (my favourite).
Gaillac Old Town is a gorgeous confection of half-timbered houses, sun-dappled squares and hidden courtyards. Its history dates to the planting of the first vineyards along the Tarn River in Roman times, but the Middle Ages were its glory days, thanks to wine exports.
Finally, if you are an art lover, visit the Musée des Beaux Arts, set in a traditional 17th-century park with terraces and tinkling fountains.
READ THIS NEXT >>> My Gaillac Travel Guide
6. Bordeaux: Wine Enthusiast’s Paradise
I’ll level with you. You need two days in Bordeaux to do it justice (I spent four nights there, spending one day in Saint-Émilion). But if this is your one opportunity to visit this gorgeous city, grab it with both hands.
Spend the morning in Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed historic centre. Start at the magnificent Place de la Bourse and its famous Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror), the world’s largest reflecting pool, before exploring its squares, buildings and gates.
After lunch – I recommend L’Entrecôte (location here) – take the tram to La Cité du Vin, a popular and innovative museum dedicated to wine culture. It’s hugely interactive, and your visit concludes with a wine tasting on the museum’s eighth-floor belvedere with views of the city and the Garonne River.
Alternatively, substitute La Cité du Vin with Musée du Vin et du Négoce (Wine and Trade Museum). Located in former wine cellars, this small but fascinating museum tells the story of the wine industry in Bordeaux through documents and artefacts. My one-hour visit ended with a tasting of two wines and an excellent presentation about Bordeaux’s wine regions and grapes.
READ THIS NEXT >>> My Bordeaux Travel Guide
Day Trips from Toulouse by Train: My Final Tips
I hope that you found this guide useful and have a fabulous time, whichever of these train trips from Toulouse you choose. I’ll leave you with a final few words of wisdom.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.