Toulouse has a wonderful feeling about it, with its mass of medieval architecture and impressive churches. Some of France’s grandest buildings reside here including the Toulouse Capitole, while superb museums such as the Musee des Augustins increase the city’s standing.

Basilique St Sernin
Basilique St Sernin is Toulouse’s main landmark and Europe’s largest and most impressive Romanesque church. The 900-year old building is really impressive, with brilliant 11^th and 12^th century sculptures, bas-reliefs and tombs and a crypt which is purported to contain a thorn from Christ’s Crown of Thorns. Try to get here any day other than a Sunday, when the church throngs with worshippers.

Bemberg Foundation
The recently opened Foundation Bemberg is one of the most important art galleries in Toulouse. It is housed in the fine 15^th century Hotel Assezat on the river and features 500 years of European artwork from the Renaissance to the 19^th century. The beautifully restored building is worthy of a tour on its own merit. Phone: +33 5 6112 0689

Chateau de Launaguet
Those with wheels might like to take a drive and check out the fabulous Chateau de Launaguet, one of France’s most picturesque chateaux. This fairytale like structure features intricate stained glass windows and pepper-pot towers with balustrades. The interior is another story and has most of its original 19^th century furnishings and décor, while the grounds feature a fine park for active kids.

Clément Ader Factory
You can see the Airbus assembly line on a typical tour as well as the earliest models of the A380 at the massive Clément Ader factory. The building itself is immense, measuring in the region of 1,600ft long by 800ft wide, and it is here where entire planes are assembled via moving platforms. Bookings are essential, and cameras are forbidden for fear of Boeing snoops. Phone: +33 5 6118 0601

Musee des Augustins
Toulouse’s most famous museum lies within a 14^th century monastery and has the largest collection of medieval sculptures and paintings in the city. The museum itself is over 200 years old, hailing from the late 18^th century, and features important collections by Dutch, Italian and Flemish masters. The Romanesque sculptures are really amazing, while a wander through the halls of this ancient building is a must, even for those not into art. Website: www.augustins.org/eng

Toulouse Capitole
Situated in the heart of Toulouse is the huge and stunning Toulouse Capitole building, which was built in the mid 1700s and features fine Baroque-style architecture. Included within the complex are City Hall (Hotel de Ville) and the National Capital Theatre (Theatre National du Capitole), the latter of which stages popular concerts, ballets and operas.