A Frizzy Weekend In… Toulouse
A couple of years back, after celebrating a significant birthday in Mexico I told myself that I would spend every birthday abroad. About that plan, it crashed and failed! But on my last birthday, I woke up 2 days before and alongside my sister said “Yo, peace out England. Hi Toulouse!”
First Impressions
I left England in 9-degree rainy weather and I touched down to 30 degrees. My turtle neck top was stuck to me so I was 50 shades of flustered. I noticed how clean the streets were though.
What I Did
Treated a boujie Seafood restaurant like a strip club on my birthday. I was throwing euros down on all type of seafood that I’d never tried before! Clam, clam, sea snail… oui oui, euro, euro… splash. I’m sure I endangered the seafood species because I was eating all sorts non- stop. Oh yeah, and I dropped a whole seafood platter. Oops!
Chilled by Pont Neuf river day and night. During the night time, it gets super lively, with food and music. And during the day it’s really calming to just chill there with a takeaway.
Visited staple places such as La Capitole and the Basilica of Saint Sernin. The buildings were cute. I didn’t learn about the history behind the buildings or anything. Sometimes just stare and admire.
Spent half a day in the Jardin Du Japonais reading and being mesmerized by the view. If you do only thing in Toulouse, you have to visit these gardens. Honestly, they are so beautiful.
Stumbled into some random graffiti street art district and fell in love. The road is called Rue de Gramat.
Food
I’m a seafood lover so Toulouse was the shiz-naii-ee no flies around. The food was fresh, I was forever full up. And I literally had my cake and could eat it too. There are also a lot of Senegalese restaurants so you can get your West African food fix. Senegalese fish is prestige!!! They seem to run on Black people time so don’t rush there at 6.30 pm when they have just opened at 6.pm, because they just might be closed.
Food Spot Recommendations
Brasserie, Les Boux Arts: The Fishmonger Platter
Black Lemon: Carrot Cake and the best smoothies.
Wrap Up
Toulouse was actually amazing. It was quirky, tasty, and it was super relaxing. You will not be disappointed spending your birthday there and it’s also the perfect location for solo travels. Everywhere is so easy to get to which makes a first trip there extra nice. I would go back, I think it’s perfect if you’re there for a good time, not a long time.
I cried in the lead up to my birthday because I felt miserable that I’d be in England on yet another year. After my breakdown session, I G’d up and went on Skyscanner and checked for the cheapest flights out of the UK. Random places like Luxemburg came up. 4th on the list was Toulouse and I just ran with it. I’m really happy that I chose this city.
