A one night stand, as it were, to make hotel availability work between the Spanish Paradore and Carcassonne. We’re in a simple but quirky hotel right by the river (the Garonne – it gets about a bit) and right in the centre of what we now find is beautiful, fascinating and exciting Toulouse. The exciting part was helped by one (just one mind) wrong turning in the final approach to the hotel, necessitating a fifteen minute detour through the narrowest pedestrian priority streets in the city.  The hotel is inexpensive, in just the right place and arty enough to suit us. 

Toulouse, the 4th biggest city in France (after Paris, Marseilles and Lyon) is great. Fabulous old streets, pavement cafés of every description, old covered market and you can walk along the river or on the Canal du Midi towpaths.

Sunday night is a funny one, with every restaurant we looked at closed. Those that are open tend towards a leisurely Sunday lunch and then pack up. There’s a nice looking brasserie under the hotel, but only open Monday to Friday. Odd. Still, we’re never daunted and find an ideal restaurant, recommended by Michelin and the Guardian. Perfect – and its veggie. Cocktail first at one of the many street bars, and then…a steal at just over £30 for two.

Veggie restaurant with lots of tasty food La Faim des Haricots

…and we stayed in Hotel Des Beaux Arts – brilliant

The restaurant – help yourself…

The hotel… right by the river and right in the old town

The hotel reception…

Cocktail time…

The central square – and lots of hanging things…