Anyone stayed at Toulouse?

We stayed at the hotel Albert 1er. It was similar to many of the European hotels recommended by Rick Steves in other French cities.

It has a tiny elevator and a good location. You can read reviews on booking.com.

I will also be in Toulouse but I early to mid May. I found an apartment in a busy part of town with lots of places to eat. The apartment is on the top floor, which I hope will be quieter. The great thing is it comes with a clothes washer since this will be the first part of my four weeks vacation.

I got the apartment through Booking.com La Terrasse de Wilson---11 nights.

If you are staying for more than a few days that may be the way to go. But if you look up the street name, President Franklin Roosevelt near the park, there are two hotels close by---one more expensive than the other but close to transportation.

Good luck.

Claudia

Thank you both. I am just getting this together. I appreciate the recommendations.

Last July, we stayed at the St. Sernin Hotel, on a quiet street with great views of the St. Sernin basilica. It was near many restaurant options that they recommended, and was also walking distance to the Place du Capitole square, with more sights and awesome restaurants, especially Le Bibent. They had an elevator, but going up the one flight of stairs was generally easier. We had breakfast in the hotel, which was excellent, but there were cafés close by, if you didn’t want breakfast at the hotel. It was an easy taxi ride to/from the train station.

We went to Bayonne, in Basque Country, from Toulouse, and didn’t have any bus tour to Lourdes.

As a local, I don't have any personal experience staying in hotels in Toulouse, and I don't know what you mean by "economical," but I can suggest the Hotel Croix Baragnon, located in the traditional Saint-Étienne district (also known as the "Antiques" district), a 15-minute walk from Place du Capitole.

https://www.hotelcroixbaragnon.com/en/welcome

You'll be in the historic center.

Check section 2 on this webpage:

https://www.toulouse-tourisme.com/en/what-to-see-and-do/emblematic-quarters/

You won't normally need to use public transportation in Toulouse. Most places to see and do are within walking distance.

Of course, I strongly advise against having a car.

→ Avoid hotels near the Matabiau train station.

No idea about guided excursions to Lourdes from Toulouse. Since Lourdes is quite far from Toulouse, in my opinion the best thing to do is take a train to Lourdes (a 2-hour trip) and ask for a guide there.

Toulouse Tourist Office

https://www.toulouse-tourisme.com/en/

There are hundreds of restaurants in Toulouse offering all kinds of cuisine and price ranges. It's impossible to suggest any without knowing your preferences.

I spent 5 nights at the Residence Inn by the airport last year. I chose that because it was affordable, had a good breakfast, and I could use my points. Plus, it was walking distance to the Musée aeroscopia, the Old Wings, and Airbus, all of which were places I specifically wanted to visit. I liked it. There were a couple places to eat right there, a supermarket 100 yards away, and the tram stop was at the end of the block. Bought a block of tickets and went into town for about $1.50 and stopped in a couple places along the way to walk through the neighborhoods.

I have not been to Lourdes, but if you have any interest in Impressionist art, make sure you take the time to visit the Bemberg Foundation.

Thank you all for these comments. I was thinking of a hotel near the train station. I will definitely rethink that. I plan on May 26 to take the train to Lourdes. I will be 2 nights in Toulouse. I will look into your recommendations. Thanks so much.

We stayed in Toulouse in 2023 in an Airbnb on Rue des Arts

Restaurants we really liked:
Un Air de Quartier- 43 rue de Languedoc- not sure it’s still there
Le Panache- 34 rue des Filatiers-very good
Officina Gusto- 7 Place Saint Etienne-close to where we stayed-excellent Italian
Osmoz By Huitres- 26 Bd Pierre-Paul Riquet-by far our favorite but as the name suggests it is seafood

Toulouse is wonderful. Hope you have a great stay.

We stayed at the https://www.hotelcroixbaragnon.com in April 2023. It’s a great location, very helpful English speaking staff and basic but clean accommodations.
We took a guided tour of the city (excellent) and a day trip to Albi. We arrived by air but traveled by train.

Just to explain my "non-recommendation" regarding hotels close to the train station.

This is a neighborhood located outside of "historic Toulouse," which also has a regional and international bus hub. It's therefore a more suitable and useful area for travelers than for tourists. The neighborhood was in a deteriorated state in recent years (the hotels too, with a few gritty cafes and sex shops), hence some cheap hotels.

Major renovation work is underway throughout the neighborhood, but it's not the Toulouse known for its pink bricks nor where locals go to restaurants.

Hi my friends, thanks for taking the time to text. You are much appreciated. I will make a list of the restaurants and hotels. I will only be in Toulouse 2 nights, so decide where to eat is very important. Thanks also to JoLui about the hotels. I saw a place on rue Raymond IV, Hotel Raymond 4. Does anyone know that street or that hotel? Thanks for your comments. Jim

I know the street and the neighborhood. It's not too badly located; you'll be right between the train station and the historic center.
If you're arriving with a flight to Toulouse-Blagnac, the airport shuttle has a stop called "Jeanne d'Arc" that drops you off right at the beginning of Rue Raymond IV.

You'll be right next to the Victor Hugo Market, where you can go for lunch (except Mondays).

I found a video in English:

https://youtu.be/U6sy2R-3Oe8

At this point in the video, you'll see a staircase with a "Restaurant" sign. Go upstairs; the market restaurants are on the floor above. It's very good and inexpensive.

https://youtu.be/U6sy2R-3Oe8?t=660

Go there before noon, take a stroll through the market, and go upstairs to choose a restaurant and reserve a table.

For dinner, I suggest going to Rue des Blanchers near the Garonne River:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DUGiwwbgu4hyWdEF7

Both restaurants, Molette and Une Faim d'Ours, are pretty good (same owner), and there are a few other nice restaurants.

https://www.molette-restaurant.fr/

As I see you're looking for budget-friendly places, another typical restaurant I used to go to, which is inexpensive and friendly, is located at 6 Rue Joutx Aigues (closed on Tuesdays - Bring cash).

La Gouaille

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oX4LeMgbzJekxEPg8

https://www.la-gouaille-restaurant-toulouse.fr/

Thank you JoLui. I am lucky that you are right there. I will follow up on the links you sent. I arrive Sunday May 25. I will see if any of the places are open at 6 PM. I read most close early on Sunday. You have helped a lot. Jim

No need to rush to find a restaurant at 6 p.m. The vast majority of restaurants don't open for dinner until 7 p.m., or even 7:30 p.m.

Sorry but all the restaurants recommended by SJS are closed on Sundays. "Un Air de Quartier" no longer exists.

There are a few restaurants that offer "all-day service," but I don't know any I would recommend.

Alternatively, check out Le Bouillon Capitole (on Place du Capitole) it's open from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day without reservation (it's traditional, inexpensive bistro cuisine):

https://www.bouilloncapitole.fr/fr/

The restaurants at the Victor Hugo Market are only open for lunch.

Hi JoLui, I watched the videos, Now I am hungry!! Thank you I will get to food market for lunch on Tuesday, May27. Jim

Hi JoLui, you have been generous with your comments, thank you. On the video of Market Victor Hugo, the woman said she liked her hotel Ours Blanc across from the market. It is 2 star, while Hotel Raymond 4 is 3 star. I would prefer the 2 Star since I am only sleeping 2 nights. What do you think? Please share your opinion. Thanks

Jim,

There are 3 Ours Blanc hotels in Toulouse. I assume the one you're referring to is the 2-star Ours Blanc Victor Hugo.

As I said, as a former Toulouse resident (I still go there regularly, but I live in the countryside now), I can't comment on the hotels themselves. Although the Ours Blanc Wilson (the 4-star one) is the only one I stayed at for a night or two a long, long time ago, I admit it didn't leave a lasting memory. Looking at the reviews on Google, it seems it's no better these days and is still a bit run-down, just like the other two.

I could say that all the Ours Blanc hotels are better located than the Raymond IV because they're a little closer to the historic center, but given that the 2-star one is right in front of the Victor Hugo market and a few bars, there will be a lot more activity and noise from very early in the morning with the comings and goings of market produce delivery people, and noise from the bars until late in the evening.

In conclusion, this is not a hotel I would choose for a peaceful night's sleep, whether late at night or early in the morning.

If you're still hungry, I suggest this one:

https://youtu.be/_61UwGD5LwM