A Not So Hidden Gem -Toulouse

Place du Capitole Toulouse

The port in Toulouse is semi-closed this summer in that its pontoons have (mostly) been removed for upgrading. The capitainerie remains open however, so it is possible to reserve a mooring on the wall on the other side of the canal, if access to electricity and/or water is required. The main problem with that side of the canal is that it is in full sunshine for most of the day and this year that's a major drawback. We decided instead to stop just past the port under the trees. There are quite a few bollards and it is free but no services. Not entirely drawback free either - it's right onto the towpath which, in a major city like Toulouse, could be problematic. We try and take sensible precautions by making sure things are put away, locked up and so forth and we also stop where there are other occupied boats. The canal is slightly shallow at the side there so we had to tie up a bit out from the edge which added one layer of difficulty for anyone wanting to board (me included). As it was, the major danger was from speeding cyclists on the towpath. Toulouse has a good cyclepath network and lots of people commute by bike. Priority is supposed to be given to pedestrians on the towpath and the bikes are meant to go slowly (but don't). There are so many of them it pays to be vigilant and whatever you do don't saunter from side to side.
I like Toulouse. It is a handsome, prosperous city and there is plenty for the visitor to see. It also has lots (and I mean lots) of shops. How so many expensive clothing shops remain in business beats me but then I'm still wearing the same shirt in Toulouse that I was wearing in Paris 5 years ago - I know because the photo popped up as a 'memory' on a certain website the other day. The only things we wanted to buy were a couple of new chairs, our previous two having both given up the ghost in the same week when someone sat on them and the canvas split in two. Could I find a shop selling chairs? (I did find out later that there is an Ikea on the outskirts of Toulouse which runs a shuttle bus from the city but at the time of writing, a few cities further on, we are still chairless).
The only major site (and it is the major site) I hadn't visited was the The Capitole. Every time I had passed by there was always a huge queue or there was something on restricting entry. This time, when I walked through the huge square I noticed there was no queue.
What a beautiful building; museum, art gallery, working local government building, place to get married (amazingvenue), theatre and more. If you visit Toulouse make sure you go -no ticket required, no cost.