Whether you want to holiday in Toulouse, live there or rent your property out for an additional revenue stream, Toulouse provides sound investment opportunities for buyers and is one of the most exciting cities in France.
Toulouse is the capital of the Haute-Garonne department, and with Carcassonne and Albi forms the “Golden Triangle” known locally as the “Pays de Cocagne”.
During the Renaissance, Toulouse was one of the richest cities in France due to the sale of a unique blue colour made from “pastel” plants. It flourished on the soil of the Pays de Cocagne, which gained its name from the colour-making process where the plant’s leaves were formed into a ball, called the “coques”.
Eventually Toulouse became known as the Pink City, due to its abundance of striking terra-cotta brick buildings – most of which were built by wealthy pastel merchants – such as the ornate Hôtel d’Assézat, which houses fine art for the Bemberg Foundation.
Today Toulouse is one of the most vibrant cities in France, offering a lively arts and entertainment scene as well as being an economically thriving hub that is home to part of France’s Aerospace Valley, which includes Airbus and other aerospace companies.
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Make the most of rising house prices
Over the last year house prices in Toulouse have risen by 4%. Apartments are, on average, €2,700m2 and houses €3,079m2. But a good investment isn’t the only reason that Toulouse should be on top of your “house hunting in France” list.
With the city just one-and-a-half hours away from ski resorts in the Pyrénées, such as Luchon, life as a Toulousain can mean city life (or country, depending on where you buy) during the week and bolting to the mountains on weekends and holidays.
Built and developed between the 12th and 18th century, this attractive period property (HH-12313094) is located around half an hour from Toulouse. It has ten bedrooms and at €1,064,200 is a good example of how much you can still get for your money in this area.
Enjoy luxury dining on your doorstep
There are several one-Michelin-starred restaurants in Toulouse: Les Jardins de l’Opéra, Sept and Py-r. However, for an even more delectable treat Michel Sarran’s restaurant is the place to go for “gourmand” gastronomic delights.
Having earned his second Michelin star in 2003 and been part of the jury on Top Chef on French TV, Michel Sarran’s flagship restaurant is a must-go for any foodie in Toulouse.
With “l’art de vivre” at its heart, this elegant restaurant’s speciality is langoustine and squid “macaronade”, a speciality that originated in Sète.
Benefit from a thriving university town
A combination of low tuition fees and reasonable living costs makes this university town a good choice for students. The city provides good investment opportunities for property owners in terms of student rentals, but it’s also a popular choice for families seeking quality educational opportunities as there is also a well-respected international school for children aged three to 18.
The city has three separate entities all included in the QS university ranking charts. They are: Paul Sabatier University (one of the oldest universities in the world, best for science, health, engineering, technology and sports); Toulouse 1 University Capitole (renowned for law, economics and management studies); and the University of Toulouse–Mirail, which is known for its humanities studies.
Busy yourself with cultural and musical events
From the modern art museum, Les Abattoirs, to the Natural History Museum or Space City, Cité de l’Espace, there are plenty of attractions to explore in Toulouse. From rock to comedy, dance and pop, the Zenith is one of the best places to enjoy live performances on a night out.
The city also has a vibrant music festival scene throughout the summer. Must-go events include the Electro Music Festival (June) and the Toulouse Summer Festival (“Toulouse d’été” in July and August), which includes around 50 special events.
Indulge in good wine
If you’re in Toulouse it is well worth driving 45 minutes up the road to Gaillac. Located south east of Bordeaux and relatively unheard of compared with its world-famous neighbour, Gaillac wines have been part of French history for around 2,000 years.
Renowned for their diversity, there are over one hundred winemakers in Gaillac and some of their wines can be tasted at the Fête des Vins in August, a two-day festival at the Parc de Foucaud in Gaillac.
If you are looking to buy a property in Toulouse, check out the luxury properties for sale at www.home-hunts.com. However, if you are ready to discuss your house-hunting criteria, speak to a Home Hunts consultant directly on +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
