June 24, 2014

Presentation of Toulouse

Ever since the Garonne offered the hospitality of its river banks to the Tectosages, the city of Toulouse has, with the passing centuries, become home to a growing collection of monuments, fine edifices and works of art, which stand as witnesses of its diverse culture and stimulate the curiosity of its visitors.

Discovering

The Capitole

The Capitole
Now the home of the Town Hall and the Théâtre National du Capitole, this building is remarkable for its façade with its eight pink marble columns, its Cour Henri IV (which saw the assassination of the Duc de Montmorency) and the "Salle des Illustres" (inspired by the Galleria Farnese in Rome), where the gilt mouldings vie with the painted cartouches.
Also on your tour are the Jean-Paul Laurens, Henri Martin and Paul Gervais Rooms.
Ensemble conventuel des Jacobins


L'Ensemble conventuel des Jacobins

Founded in the XIIIth and XIVth centuries, this is a magnificent example of monastic architecture. Built entirely of brick, it is a true gem of Languedoc Gothic art, and features an incomparable palm-tree vault with 22 ribs supporting the roof of the polygonal choir. The cloister with its succession of gracious arches and the refectory in which exhibitions are mounted round off your visit to this beautiful complex of buildings.


The Basilica of Saint-Sernin

Basilica of Saint-Sernin
Basilica of Saint-Sernin, largest Romanesque church in the Western world, erected in the second half of the XIth century. It houses the sepulchre of Saint-Saturnin, martyred in the year 250, and was an important stopping place on the pilgrim route of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle.
The crypt of the basilica contains a host of relics. Visitors can admire XIXth century chalices and ciboria, as well as the main altar and capitals and tympanums dating from the XIth and XIIth centuries.
Hotel Pierre d Assezat


L'Hôtel Pierre d'Assézat

Magnificent XVIIth century town mansion built by Nicolas Bachelier for Pierre d'Assézat who made his fortune from woad, a plant used in dyeing. The building houses the Fondation Bemberg, a private museum with a very interesting permanent collection of paintings, bronzes and objets d'art.
 
For further information: http://www.ot-toulouse.fr/english/