Inside the French city with Rugby World Cup 2023 matches that’s home to the best wine bar in the world
THE 2023 Rugby World Cup kicked off last night with a star-studded opening ceremony.
This year the tournament is taking place in France and five of the matches will be hosted in the city of Toulouse at the Stadium de Toulouse where Japan will take on Chile tomorrow.
So if you’re heading to the city for a slice of the action, here’s how to make the most of its bouncing bars and magnificent architecture — plus where to catch the match if you haven’t scored tickets.
WHY SHOULD I GO?
BORDEAUX often takes precedence when plotting a wine-themed trip to France, but Toulouse shouldn’t be overlooked.
Some even say it is the world’s wine capital with plenty of excellent spots to drink the stuff.
On top of that there are cobbled streets with plentiful shopping, museums that detail the city’s 2,000-year history and walking spots.
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The Garonne river runs right through the middle of the city and provides the perfect centrepiece to this rugby-mad hub.
Head to the brand-new rugby village on the river, with giant screens showing all the matches plus a local market, DJ sets and concerts at night, drone shows, fan quizzes and food and drinks areas.
STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?
Absolutely.
There are scenic walks to be taken along the Garonne and through the city’s parks, including the idyllic Jardin Japonais.
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Canals line many of the streets with delectable bistros dotted along them that make ideal spots to take a charcuterie break.
There’s also the Victor Hugo market, which can keep you occupied for hours sampling macarons, local cheeses and excellent wines.
Place du Capitole is the heart of the city, and most likely where you’ll see fellow tourists getting their steps in, dining, drinking and shopping.
ANYTHING FOR BUCKET LIST?
If you’ve soaked up as much of the rugby (and wine!) as you can manage, then the Aeroscopia Museum in Blagnac is truly fascinating, even if you’re not that into history.
There, you’ll learn all about aviation and how Toulouse’s very own Clement Ader invented the first ever aircraft at the end of the 19th century.
Take a tour inside the now-defunct Concorde and marvel at the apex of mechanical engineering with the Super Guppy aircraft.
If you want something really quirky, then visit Halle de La Machine — a completely bizarre but eye-widening artistic exhibition of giant mechanical beasts.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
A CITY famous for its cassoulets, foie gras and confit duck, Toulouse is a leading destination when it comes to gastronomy.
Le Bibent in Place du Capitole is the place to go if you want to feel like you’re a part of history.
It’s known as the restaurant where, effectively, three students started World War One by planning the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Oh, and they do an incredible slow-cooked casserole.
Monsieur Georges and Maison Good are two other neat little spots, which show off the best of European cuisine, both with alfresco dining.
I FANCY A DRINK
I mentioned before that Toulouse is often considered the wine capital of the world, not Bordeaux, and the locals really believe it.
It’s easy to see why, as it is home to N°5 Wine Bar, voted the best wine bar in the world for three years running from 2017.
There you can sample as many of its thousands of bottles as you like, all available through serve-yourself dispensaries.
Small tapas plates, breads, cheeses and charcuterie are also all the rage in this two-story treasure.
Or there’s L’Alimentation which gives N°5 a run for its money with its high stools and brick interior.
Maison Good offers a more clubby vibe on Friday and Saturday nights, if that is what you are after.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
An affordable option, just a 15-minute walk away from Place du Capitole, is the Social Hub.
This offers more of a student-hostel-interailling vibe, but it is modern, clean and in a quiet part of town.
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Really want to push the boat out? Go with the 5H La Cour des Consuls Hotel & Spa.
You won’t regret it.
GO: TOULOUSE
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies from Stansted, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Toulouse from £14.99 each way.
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STAYING THERE: Rooms at The Social Hub cost from £100 per night, based on two sharing (see ) and rooms at La Cour des Consuls Hotel & Spa cost from £169.51 per night, based on two sharing (see ).