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Writer's pictureFranck BRUGUIERE

The " Carmes covered market " and the Carmes district and Place.

Updated: Jun 12



  • Introduction :



The covered " Carmes market " is the second most largest market in Toulouse.

His particularity, it that the entire ground floor is occupied by the market and then above is parking for cars on six levels.

There are also offices.


Moreover it, if you go to the roof of this car park, you will have a magnificent view all of Toulouse.


  • A little history :



This market has undergone many changes during its history.

For six centuries, it was a convent.

I fact, in the 13th. century, the Carmelite order occupied the premises.

This place consists of a church, a chapel, two cloisters and a garden.


In 1808, everything was destroyed and replaced by a wheat market.

In 1813, the market was a herb market before becoming the " Carmes market " .


During the French Revolution, the entire building passed into the public domain.


It was the architect " Charles Calvé " who built a truly remarkable metal hall.

The market will be inaugurated in 1892.

It is characterized by his orthogonal shape, topped by a dome decorated with skylight and glazed in its lower part.

It had four entrance pavillons and a main entrance.

A canopy was present all around to protect the marchants who were outside from bad weather.


Unfortunately, as in all cities in France, this invaluable architectural heritage disappeared amid general indifference because of the car incident.


The " Carmes covered market " that we know today was inaugurated in 1966.

It was built by the architect " Candilis " from 1964.

It is characterized by contemporary architecture and its geometric figures.

It has " the 20th. century heritage " .


  • The Carmes covered market :


As soon as you enter the market, you can immediately see that Occitanie region is one of the greatest gastronomy regions in France.



Indeed, you will find all our world-famous regional products such as : foie gras, confit and duck breast, cheese, wines, all the ingredients to make a good Cassoulet and another Toulouse speciality : " The Toulouse sausage " .


But then, you will find everything you need to prepare delicious meals.

There are two excellent fishmongers, a baker who makes very good bread, market gardeners who come to sell you fresh fruit and vegetables and even caterers.



What nice is that outside all around the market, you will discover other market gardeners, restaurants with beautiful terraces, a splendid florist and two bars to satisfy a little thirst.

This arrangement reminds us of the canope of the old destroyed market.



  • Places not to be missed on " Place des Carmes " :


This place des Carmes is extremely lively and full of food shops, and many others things.


The " Pillon chocolatier " who is the best known of the Toulouse chocolatiers :


For me, and above all a must for its succulent cakes.


You could read again the post on the Toulouse blog, which is talk about : " the third stores that I recommend to you.




Adress :2 Théodores Ozenne street 31 000 Toulouse.


A wind of Spain blows from the store specializing in Spanish products : " el Canaille ".


As soon as, you enter this store, you are in Spain.

It is not uncommon to hear Spanish spoken , hams are hung from the ceiling and you find many products of Spain.


It is also offered and I do it regulary when I entertain at home, you can order platters with succulent Spanish cold cuts and cheese.













Adress : 39, Cames Place 31 000 Toulouse.


You can also find the store : " Chez Riton :



You can find all the information on this store in the Toulouse post on the four stores that I recommend.

It sells quality products from all our French regions and also from Italy.


Adress : 38, Carmes Place 31 000 Toulouse.


Want good wines, spirits and champagne : " La Boutique des Vins " :



He's my official wine merchants.

First of all, because they have an incredible choise, the store is warm and well appointed.

Furthemore, there is no doubt that they are great professionnals who will be your best advisors to satisfy your desires.


Adress :23, Carmes palce 31 000 Toulouse.


" La Casa Italia " breathe an air of Italy:



I also go to this shop, where you will find all the classic, lesser know products that come from Italy.

There is a grocery and catering section.

New this year, a second commercial cell has been opened and offers you the opportunity to taste delicious italian ice cream.


Adress:21, Carmes place 31 000 Toulouse.


You can discover a fabulous cheese maker which for me is the best in Toulouse " Chez SENA " :


This is where I buy my cheese, the choise is substantial and the staff is very qualified.


" Chez SENA " therefore has a shop aroud the market and a location inside the covered market.


You can order boxes of cheese when you have friends over.

It is possible and very practical.









Adress:41, Carmes place 31 000 Toulouse.


An old bar from yesteryear which has a magnificent sunny terrace ; " Le Bar du Matin " :



Stop at anytime of the day for a drink and watch the excitement aroud the market.

You can have a drink on a large sunny terrace, it's will be pleasant.

In addition, you will go back in time, because this bar benefits from a restored period frontage.


Adress :16, Carmes place 31 000 Toulouse.


I advise you to take a look at the magnificent florist located outside the market : " Le Bouquet Aromatique " :



This florist is magnificent, it's an explosion of colors.

As soon as you pass by, you can't help but stop there because the plants are so well presented.


Adress :It is located in a loge outside and aroud the covered market, in front of " Le Bar du Matin " .


The pub " The London Town "where breathe an air of England :


This Engish pub has existed on this square for a long time, which means it's a good house.


Well that's the case, you will be immersed in a British atmosphere, because the decoration of this pub is magnificent.


You will be offered different types of beer and you can play darts.


Many evenings they are regularly organized.








Adress: 14 rue des Prêtes 31 000 Toulouse.


  • The restaurants present in the lodges outside the covered market and which are all excellent :



The restaurant " Cécile " :


Beautiful sunny terrace, open for lunch and dinner, gourmet and healthy cuisine using fresh market produce and cooking with a Japanese " KAMADO " barbecue.

An extremely varied wine list.





Adress:In a loge outside around the covered market in front of the pharmacy.


The restaurant " L' Arpète " :


Also a beautiful sunny outdoor terrace, open for lunch and dinner, will offer you bistro cuisine with fresh produces of covered market.






Adress: Loge 24 outside around the covered market.


The restaurant " La Loge " :



This place is for seafood lovers.

It is the world of seas and oceans that opens up tou you.

Hours vary depending on the dat, but is possible to eat at lunch time and in the evening.

I advise you to look at the website or Facebook or Instagram.


Adress: 2, Carmes place 31 000 Toulouse, around the covered market.

Facebook: La Loge des Carmes

Intagram : la-loge-des-carmes


  • The two chapter house mansions not to be missed in the neighborhood :



The first is the " mansion of Vieux-Raisin" that you can find in the Toulouse blog since a post is entirely dedicated to it.

It faces the main entrance to the Carmes market.

It is a magnificent Renaissance-style mansion that has nothing to do which is Italian cousins.


The second private mansion is that of " Dahu " , about which I will make a post very soon in the Toulouse blog.

Its architecture is typical of that of Toulouse because it is built of terracotta bricks.

It consists of a magnificent chapter house tower.

It is located at the start of " Ozenne street ", take this street and you will immediately discover this mansion on your left.


  • Carmes district :



It is an extremely lively neighborhood with some architecturaly beautiful buildings.

It is even nicknamed the " Little Marais of Toulouse " after the famous Parisian district.

It is teeming with various activities, restaurants from all over the world, food stores, designer boutiques, tea rooms, florists and many other surprises.


That is it my friends, I hope you will be passionate about the information in this post.

If one day you come to visit Toulouse, let yourself be guided by the latter's information.


Welcome in Toulouse.

The blog from Toulouse.

Greetings Franck.


BONUS PHOTOS :



Nightlife at the Carmes market :


Danny, several times, the Carmes market organizes its evening event.

The principle is simple, people come to taste the products of the market while partying, to the sound of music from a DJ.

Restaurants all around participate in what we call: " Toulouse by night ".

The festivities generally continue until midnight.

Toulouse shows its Hispanic side on this occasion.




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