Things to do in Toulouse with kids

If you are visiting Toulouse for the first time or you’re moving to Toulouse with your family, listed below are our favorite things to do with our two little boys.

We came back from England to France in 2021 because of my husband’s job. We decided to move to Toulouse versus Paris where we live before. Because Toulouse as it is a lovely city with a mix of a small town feeling and a lot of nice things to do and see.

At the time I write this blog post, our youngest is 1 year, and our eldest is 3. So I write from the perspective of a family with young children.

The list includes a mix of places that can be enjoyed by tourists and locals. And some other places where it might be better if you live here.

Just keep in mind that Toulouse is a medieval city with small, old streets. And many of them are not adapted for strollers. So whenever I can, I carry my baby in the Ergobaby and my eldest just walks to make my life easier when I’m alone with both kids.

Here are our favorite things to do in Toulouse with kids

Parks

The Jardin des Plantes is the best park in the city and is definitely worth the visit. This park is great for small children as it has so many things to do: a pond with ducks, chickens, a lot of pigeons, a playground for small and big children, a small water fountain, 2 carrousels, 2 nice cafes, and a lot of places for running, exploring, riding bike or scooter.

Other parks you might want to visit: Grand Rond, Jardin Royal, and Jardin Japonais.

Toulouse Museum

The Toulouse Museum another nice thing to do in the Jardin des Plantes. This museum is great for small children. It is small compared to the ones we were used to going to in London. But it is still quite nice. It has a variety of sections and an outdoor botanic garden. If you live in Toulouse, you can buy an annual membership like we have to go regularly.

They also have a children’s library that is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can borrow up to 3 books and they also offer story time.

Biking along the Canal du Midi

The canal du Midi runs along Toulouse, and it is a great area for biking with kids. My husband takes our eldest in the back of his bike. And they go together on some father-son adventures along the canal.

Convent du Jacobins

The Convent des Jacobins is a stunning historic site in Toulouse that’s definitely worth a visit. This beautiful 13th-century monastery features a Gothic church with intricate architecture, beautiful stained glass windows, and fascinating historical artifacts. You can explore the cloisters, admire the stunning rose window, or simply take a moment to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this tranquil space.

The convent also offers different events. And it has a really nice “secret garden” right in the heart of the city.

Books

If your children love books like ours, here are a few places to bring them:

Médiathèque José Cabanis
Toulouse Museum
FNAC
The Bookshop: for books in different languages

Eating out in Toulouse

My husband and I are foodies, so we love eating out in Toulouse.

Toulouse is a food lover’s paradise, offering some of the most delicious and unique gastronomic experiences in all of France.

From the famous cassoulet, a hearty stew made with white beans and meat, to the savory sausages and foie gras, the region’s cuisine is rich in flavor and steeped in tradition. The local markets are bursting with fresh, seasonal produce and the restaurants showcase the best of the local ingredients.

Whether you’re looking for a Michelin-starred dining experience or a cozy bistro serving up classic French cuisine, Toulouse has it all.

Restaurants

Some of our favorite restaurants to go to as a family are:

Challenges to keep in mind when going to restaurants in Toulouse

We have found that restaurants in France are not as child-friendly as England, where we lived before. So keep in mind that most restaurants:

Don’t offer a child menu, especially those that are more gastronomic. Some chefs might adapt the adult dish to your child. But some won’t. So, if you have a picky toddler, then it might be worth bringing some backup food just in case.

Don’t have high chairs. We use this travel chair booster that we carry around sometimes for our eldest. Our baby usually eats in our lap and my husband and I take turns throughout the meal holding him.

Don’t have a changing table available in the restroom. We have a diaper bag that comes with a small mat and we typically use that to change our baby in the car, stroller or some other flat surface we find. If you’re in the center, you can go to the Galerie Lafayette as they have a changing room.

Picnic

On Sunday mornings, we often go to the Saint-Aubin market. We buy some delicious food from the Syrian place by the entrance of the market (the one with the longest line) and do a picnic at the Grand Rond.

Because I’m Brazilian, we also ALWAYS buy the famous Coxinha. Both of our children LOVE it. I highly recommend it if you’d like to try something new.

Another picnic option is to buy the best pizza in Toulouse from Pizzeria D’Alexis in Saint Cyprien. And head to the board of the Garonne during the summer to enjoy it.

Dessert

I love French pastries. While I do miss those delicious sponge cakes from England, I have enjoyed the wide selection of fine desserts in France. My two favorite places to go are:

Patisserie Conte: you can either eat it there (the decor is lovely) or head to the St Etienne church to eat outdoors
Au Poussin Bleu