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Article By: AntonioBonito
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Toulouse - The Violet Capital
Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France after Paris, Marseille and Lyon. It is also the prefecture of the department of the Haute-Garonne in the Midi-Pyrenees region. The name Toulouse in modern-day French derives from the old Occitan name of Tolosa. The City of Toulouse is crossed by both the river Garon and the Canal du Midi.
The French also have a special name for the city of Toulouse, they call it "la ville rose" (the pink town). And when visiting the city the reason is obvious - most of the buildings are build with a typical local pink brick!
The climate of Toulouse can be considered to be temperate, primarily due to its location mid-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. Its climate is therefore characterised as being warm and dry in summer with relatively mild autumns and winters.
There are three important winds which blow across the city: firstly there is the west wind, which brings with it a lot of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. Then there is the wind known as the "Autan" which blows from the south-east. This wind is hot and dry. Finally there is the wind coming from the north, blowing much less frequently, but it is cold and dry. The Autan is often called by the locals "the maddening wind" or "the devil's wind", since it affects everything in its path, apparently affecting the normal calmness of the inhabitants, both human and animal, making them much less calm!
Toulouse isn't just a thriving, bustling city, it's also a major European center of technology, home to industries including aeronautics, aerospace, medicine and also telecommunications. Indeed Toulouse is considered to be the European capital of the aerospace industry. Yet the city continues to diversify into ever more areas. Much of this is of course due to it being home to a major university, the second largest after that of Paris.
From a historical perspective, Toulouse also possesses several major features, perhaps the oldest being the bridge known as the "Pont-Neuf" (actually "New Bridge" in English), and also of course the renowned Canal du Midi which passes right through the center of the town. Both were constructed during the seventeenth century. Then there is the incredible Capitole edifice, constructed in the eighteenth century. There is also a huge amount of more contemporary history, such as the impressive Aerospatiale works, created in 1927, for which guided tours are available.
Toulouse is also home of the French national center for weather prediction. This meteorological center was set up in Toulouse in 1982 and is now responsible for the prediction of weather patterns for the entire country.
Another feature of Toulouse, as witnessed by the many little shops found throughout the city, is that it a center for violets. Violets are cultivated around the whole Toulouse region both for the flowers themselves and for their perfume. Violets, violet sweets, violet flowers and violet fragrances abound throughout the city.
A city boasting a rich heritage, a major French center of culture with many museums and festivals, known throughout France and indeed the whole of Europe, Toulouse is today a major tourist destination. In Toulouse, it's impossible to avoid contact with cultural centers, such as the Congress Center, the Mediatheque Jose Cabanis, the Zenith, The Abattoirs museum of modern art, the "Cite de l'Espace" and the National Theatre. The Capitole museum with its superb "Salle des Illustres" is a necessary visit!
A particular mention is worth making of the Cite de l'Espace - a huge area just on the periphery of the city which opens up quite literally a whole universe of space, stars and space travel, by means of some creative animations and reconstructions. Take a look inside the Russian space station, Mir, or an Arianne rocket. Then go and view space in the impressive IMAX 3D cinema, not forgetting of course the planetarium, an incredible simulation of the universe.
Culturally, Toulouse is a European city second to none, particularly on the musical scene. The Capitole theatre is home to an internationally-renowned orchestra, opera and ballet with world-class productions held on a regular basis. Summer also sees guest appearances from musicians from around the world, making this an ideal destination for those artistically inclined. The National Theatre is also an impressive venue in its new building in the center of the city, boasting an impressive year-round programme.
Article Source: ArticleZones.com
About the Author
For further information on France, the French lifestyle and Toulouse in French, please visit Rencontres Toulouse at Antonio Bonito's QuePourToi.com rencontres chaudes web site.
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