La ville rose
October 3rd 2007 12:12
Toulouse sits in the region of France now known as the Midi-Pyrenees, halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is an ancient city with a long and proud history.
The first Toulouse was established at a ford on the banks of the River Garonne long before Roman conquest At the time of the Empire it was the third largest city and the intellectual centre of Gaul. After the fall of Rome and after the rise of Charlemagne, as the County of Languedoc, the region enjoyed a long period of peace, prosperity and independence from the rest of France. Toulouse retained its reputation as a centre of culture and learning from the 5th to the 13th centuries and its courts, which were considered the most civilised in Europe, gave rise to the literary and musical traditions of Languedoc and the Troubadors. In 1229, threatened by the Cathar heresy, which they believed was a result of too much freedom of thought and independence, France invaded and brought the region under its heel. With the Treaty of Paris in 1229, it became a French Territory. In 1271, to quell further heretical tendencies and to promote orthodox religious philosphy, the French Inquisition established the University, which is now one of the oldest in Europe.
Toulouse and its surrounds were largely untouched by the upheaval of the industrial revolution and it remained until the 20th century, a somewhat isolated, tranquil centre of agriculture and culture. It was not until after Clemont Adler made the world's first aeroplane 20 kilometres from Toulouse, that the region made its first venture into industry with an aircraft factory. France's first flight was made from Toulouse by team of fliers including native Toulousain Antoine de St Exupery, who also continued the region's literary tradition with his famous works Vol de Nuit and Le Petit Prince.
Today, Toulouse has a population of 117,000. It is the 5th largest city in France and the largest in the Midi-pyrenees region. It has grown out from that ford on the Garonne and spread along, away and out from the river on all sides. The aerospace industry is thriving. Toulouse is now a major centre for the European aerospace idevelopment and is the headquarters of the Airbus and of the Galileo positioning system. With the aerospace boom has come enormous growth. Between 1960 and 2000, the population doubled and the city developed into an impressive modern metropolis.
But the Garonne still flows quietly under old arched bridges of pink stone. Fish still jump in the bright green water and on the flat grassy banks patient fisherman watch for a twitch on their lines. Boats full of tourists and commuters chug slowly along the river and the canals which cut across and through the city.
On our walk out to le Stade Touousain, we followed a tree-lined avenue from the city centre, through the Jardin des Plantes, passing rows of tall appartment buildings and little old cottages of the famous pink brick that gives its name - "la ville rose". The finest and most famous of these pink brick and stone structures are la Cathedrale de St Etienne and La Capitole (the City Hall and theatre) Aside from its distinstive pink brick, Toulouse also boasts some of the worlds most distinguished buildings, like St Sernin Basilica which is the oldest romanesque church in the world and the church and cloister of jacobins which is the most complete group of ancient monastic structures in Europe.
Rich in fertile farms and vinyards, the Midi-Pyrenees region prides itself on its bonne cuisine et bons vins. Saucisses de Toulouse or herb sausages; cassoulet or pork and bean stew, garbure; or cabbage soup with poultry; foie gras, or pate made from the liver of fattened geese are all acclaimed and delicious dishes of the region. However, one evening, on the recommendation of a Toulousain at a neighbouring table in La Boucherie restaurant, we discovered the cote de boeuf, a side of succulent beef, carved into mouth-watering slabs at the table and would highly recommend this too, especially to other carnivorous Kiwis. Well-known wines include Bergerac, Bizet, Cahors, Gaillac and Madiran. But also on the recommendation of our neighbour, we discovered a delicious vin rouge ordinaire and washed down our cote de boeuf with a generous carafe of it.
Last, but certainly not least of Toulouse's claims to fame is Rugby. Teams from Toulouse have dominated the sport both regionally and nationally over the years, Le Stade Toulousain is known throughout the country as a Rugby epicentre, international stars often come to play a season here and the city has produced and nurtured such national Rugby legends as Fabien Pelous and Frederic Michalak. Tout ca se voit. The Midi-pyrenees passion for the sport, their pride in their place as national and international greats and their commitment to the world-wide Rugby fraternity was evident everywhere during this 2007 Rugby World Cup.
La Garonne
The first Toulouse was established at a ford on the banks of the River Garonne long before Roman conquest At the time of the Empire it was the third largest city and the intellectual centre of Gaul. After the fall of Rome and after the rise of Charlemagne, as the County of Languedoc, the region enjoyed a long period of peace, prosperity and independence from the rest of France. Toulouse retained its reputation as a centre of culture and learning from the 5th to the 13th centuries and its courts, which were considered the most civilised in Europe, gave rise to the literary and musical traditions of Languedoc and the Troubadors. In 1229, threatened by the Cathar heresy, which they believed was a result of too much freedom of thought and independence, France invaded and brought the region under its heel. With the Treaty of Paris in 1229, it became a French Territory. In 1271, to quell further heretical tendencies and to promote orthodox religious philosphy, the French Inquisition established the University, which is now one of the oldest in Europe.
La Garonne
Toulouse and its surrounds were largely untouched by the upheaval of the industrial revolution and it remained until the 20th century, a somewhat isolated, tranquil centre of agriculture and culture. It was not until after Clemont Adler made the world's first aeroplane 20 kilometres from Toulouse, that the region made its first venture into industry with an aircraft factory. France's first flight was made from Toulouse by team of fliers including native Toulousain Antoine de St Exupery, who also continued the region's literary tradition with his famous works Vol de Nuit and Le Petit Prince.
The grassy banks of the Garonne
Today, Toulouse has a population of 117,000. It is the 5th largest city in France and the largest in the Midi-pyrenees region. It has grown out from that ford on the Garonne and spread along, away and out from the river on all sides. The aerospace industry is thriving. Toulouse is now a major centre for the European aerospace idevelopment and is the headquarters of the Airbus and of the Galileo positioning system. With the aerospace boom has come enormous growth. Between 1960 and 2000, the population doubled and the city developed into an impressive modern metropolis.
Toulouse city today
But the Garonne still flows quietly under old arched bridges of pink stone. Fish still jump in the bright green water and on the flat grassy banks patient fisherman watch for a twitch on their lines. Boats full of tourists and commuters chug slowly along the river and the canals which cut across and through the city.
Bridge on the Garonne
A tree lined avenue in Toulouse
On our walk out to le Stade Touousain, we followed a tree-lined avenue from the city centre, through the Jardin des Plantes, passing rows of tall appartment buildings and little old cottages of the famous pink brick that gives its name - "la ville rose". The finest and most famous of these pink brick and stone structures are la Cathedrale de St Etienne and La Capitole (the City Hall and theatre) Aside from its distinstive pink brick, Toulouse also boasts some of the worlds most distinguished buildings, like St Sernin Basilica which is the oldest romanesque church in the world and the church and cloister of jacobins which is the most complete group of ancient monastic structures in Europe.
Pink brick in Toulouse
Rich in fertile farms and vinyards, the Midi-Pyrenees region prides itself on its bonne cuisine et bons vins. Saucisses de Toulouse or herb sausages; cassoulet or pork and bean stew, garbure; or cabbage soup with poultry; foie gras, or pate made from the liver of fattened geese are all acclaimed and delicious dishes of the region. However, one evening, on the recommendation of a Toulousain at a neighbouring table in La Boucherie restaurant, we discovered the cote de boeuf, a side of succulent beef, carved into mouth-watering slabs at the table and would highly recommend this too, especially to other carnivorous Kiwis. Well-known wines include Bergerac, Bizet, Cahors, Gaillac and Madiran. But also on the recommendation of our neighbour, we discovered a delicious vin rouge ordinaire and washed down our cote de boeuf with a generous carafe of it.
Le Stade Toulousain
Last, but certainly not least of Toulouse's claims to fame is Rugby. Teams from Toulouse have dominated the sport both regionally and nationally over the years, Le Stade Toulousain is known throughout the country as a Rugby epicentre, international stars often come to play a season here and the city has produced and nurtured such national Rugby legends as Fabien Pelous and Frederic Michalak. Tout ca se voit. The Midi-pyrenees passion for the sport, their pride in their place as national and international greats and their commitment to the world-wide Rugby fraternity was evident everywhere during this 2007 Rugby World Cup.
| 50 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Correct me if you think I am wrong.
Wonderful work.
katyzzz
Comment by Patricia
Travel Stripe