Car Rental Toulouse - Exploring Toulouse

The legendary city of Lourdes lies southwest of Toulouse, on the Gave de Pau River. It is visited by many travellers each year, who come to bathe in the natural spring water that is reputed to have mystical healing properties. In 1858, a young girl was said to have had a vision of the Virgin Mary in an underground grotto of the river; from then on the water have been believed to contain special powers.

A short drive from Toulouse, on the banks of the River Tarn, Albi is a picturesque town that is steeped in history, from its origin as a Gallo-Roman settlement to its later importance as a focal point in the Catholic Crusade against the Cathars. It is also home to the architecturally impressive Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Cécile, which was built without the use of flying buttresses.

The Berbie Palace stands between the cathedral and the river, and is a red-brick structure that dates back to the 13th century, when it served as the residence of the archbishop. Today it is a museum that serves as the final resting place for the remains of the French artist, Toulouse-Lautrec, who was born in Albi.

The Musée Toulouse-Lautrec is another point of interest in the town. Here, over 600 of the artist’s paintings, as well as works by other past masters such as Matisse, Degas and Bonnard, can be viewed.

The town of Auch, located west of Toulouse on the Gers River, is a hub of gastronomic delight. It is an essential destination for food and drink enthusiasts, who can indulge in the Armagnac brandy, foie gras, poultry and wine for which the town is famous.