La Machine, a street theater company, was created in 1999 and is led by François Delarozière. After that , the Machine was installed in the city of Nantes in 2004, near the Atlantic Ocean. This is where it started to become popular. It was in 2018 that the decision was taken to create La Halle la Machine in Toulouse, in the brand new neighborhood which is developing and full of history.. It was here that the history of Aerospostale began and where Air France had its hangars for its planes. That's why we can find here a runway, where the Minotaure can move every day. This runway will be overgrown by grass. As you can see in these photos, some machines are created by this street theater company. At the top left, we have the Minotaure the great attraction of the Toulouse show in 2018. In these pictures, we can discover two magnificent spiders too. La Halle la Machine became one of the largest street theater companies in the world. In 2019, we could see a spider, in Ottawa, in Calais, a city in the north of France and a brand new creation Le Dragon de Calais. ( The lion of Calais ). In 2008, we could see the appearance of two large spiders in Liverpool for the first time. By the way, Liverpool was the European capital of culture in 2008. In 2009, in Yokohama, we saw the two large spiders for the second time. In this picture you can see the show by La Halle la Machine in Toulouse in 2018. You can discover that there are many people around the attraction of the day " Le Minotaure". The sky was blue and as Toulouse was built with terracotta bricks by the Romans more than 200 years ago, that was the perfect stage for admiring the Minotaure. The performance lasted three days and all in all there were nearly 1 million spectators. You should know that all the machines are imagined, built, programmed and driven during the shows by the teams of " La Machine". Each show created is unique and it is like a true play. I have got great news for you. We have recently learn that the town Hall of Toulouse and La Halle la Machine met and decided to do a street show in Toulouse in November 2023. It is not impossible that this show will be bigger than the first one, which was already huge. The town Hall of Toulouse will support the new show financially like the one in 2018. They are also looking for private financial support, because they want the show to be bigger than in 2018. I can only advise you, wherever you live, to come and see this show and at the same time, come and discover our beautiful city of Toulouse. I was there in 2018, I will be there in 2023. When you watch the show you will fall back into childood and you will be amazed by the beauty of this show. Some pictures of the Toulouse show in 2018: INTERACTIVE BONUS VIDEO : The new performance in November 2024 would be a wonderful occasion for you to see this exhibition and the same time discover our beautiful city: Toulouse. Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Greetings Franck. BONUS PHOTO : BONUS VIDEO :

We are at the heart of Toulouse on the Place du Capitole. Here you can see our town hall, the so-called Capitole. It is the biggest place in Toulouse with 12 000 m2. The dungeons, the facades and the courtyard of King Henri IV were classified as a historical monument on Febuary 17, 1911. " La salle des Illustres ", the wedding hall and the staircase donors were classified on February 17, 1995. The Capitole took more than two Mial to be built and the facade was built in 1750. It took more than 10 years for it to be completed, the plans having been drawn up by " Guillaume Cammasse ". The Place was completely finished by " Virebent " in the middle of the 19th century. The Place du Capitole saw horse-drawn carriages, trams and open-wind markets then, alas, cars at the and of the 20th century. But fortunately now it has been returned to the pedestrians. On the front of the town Hall there is an inscription which says " CAPITOLIUM " . The reason of this inscription is that 2 000 years ago, our town was built by the Romans. All the buildings in the center of Toulouse are built from red bricks, this is why Toulouse is also called " the pink city ". On the facade you can see 8 columns. Each colomn represents a magistrate a so-called Capitoul. The magistrates ruled over Toulouse since the Middle Age. At that time, Toulouse was divided into six districts. They had both administrative and judicial power. All the leaders who administered Toulouse had a.com eh he always opposes the central Parisian power, " French-style Jacobinim ". This Toulouse confrontation there always paid dearly. As proof, you can see on the center of the courtyard a marble plaque on the ground, it is here that Louis XIII had " the duke of Montmorency " beheaded, who ruled Toulouse during the 16th century. The King accuses the Duke of plotting against royalty. The trial only lasted four days and the Duke was beheaded on June 13, 1632 at the age of 37. As you enter the Capitole you enter an inner courtyard where there is a marble statue of King Henri IV. It is only portrait of him that exists in France. It dates from 1607 and it was created by " Thomas Hurtamat ". Above the statue there is a painted wooden ceiling which was erected in 1610 by " Pierre Fournier". It is decorative and is intended to protect the statue. This ceiling is reminiscent of the Spanish Moorish. Yet another proof that Toulouse and Spain have a long common history. On the ride side, you can find the famous " National Theater of Toulouse ". The room is magnificent. It was inaugurated on October 1, 1818 and it became a real theater between 1902 and 1903. The room was renovated in 1996 by the architect " Jean-Louis Rpbert " and the decorator " Richard Peduzzi " in the spirit of the " Commedia Dell Arte ". The Italian room has a capacity of 1156 seats. It consists of two hearts of a ballet company and a national orchestra. It is devoted to the lyrical art called " bel canto ". In the middle of capitole, you can find the splendid " Salle des Illustres ". The first photo, shows the period door that allows you to access the various rooms that lead to " La Salle des Illustres ". When entering the second room, you find yourself facing a masterful staircase. You can see on the left of the staircase a statue which is none other than " Jean-Jaures " created by " Paul Ducing ", a great French sculptor. Jean-Jaures before being a politician did a lot for the development of knowledge in schools and the arts. In the third photo, you enter " the Allegory room" which served as a wedding hall and was decorated by the painter " Paul Gervais ". Still on the first floor in the forth photo, you see a room which is important since there are only 10 paintings by the well-known French painter " Henri Martin ". Several of paintings feature paintings depicting Toulouse. You will also find in this room several terracotta busts of great Toulouse figures. On the fifth and sixth photo, you can see the masterful " La salle des Illustres ". This room is in fact the meeting of two old rooms and was classified in 1994. It is 60 m long and 9 m high. It was created by " Paul Pujol " and " Pierre Esquié ". Its name is due to the many busts of Toulouse celebrities who adorn it. This hall is magnificent, with its columns of plaster and its numerous paintings on the wall and the ceiling. Outside: The Place du Capitole: It is the largest square in Toulouse, it is 12 000 m2 and it is the meeting place for all inhabitants of Toulouse. Indeed all the parties, the concerts and the sport victoiries in particular of our rugby team, " Le Stade Toulousain ", takes place on the Place du Capitole. If you take a stroll accross the beautiful Capitole Square, you can see a large bronze occitan cross, the emblem ouf our region, which is very big and offers various landscapes. L'Occitanie consists of two regions, formerly known as Midi Pyrénées whose capital is Toulouse and Languedoc Roussillon, whose capital is Montpellier. This cross was designed by " Raymond Moretti" and was installed in 1993. Finally, the croos on the place it is the symbol of Occitanie. This cross represents the signs of the Zodiac and the cardinal points. Tourists like to look for their sign and their picture to be taken in front of it. On the other side, there is a building with arcades. There are bars and restaurants with huge terraces, where you can eat and drinck no matter when. Under the arcades, on the ceiling the painter " Raymond Moretti " made a series of paintings in 1996, which tells the story of Toulouse. This painter is a former student of Picasso. There are 29 pictures and you can see among other things pictures of rugby....we are the city's rugby in France and Europe with our team the Stade Toulusain, a yellow flower and Carlos Gardel, the famous danser on Tabgo Argentin who was born in Toulouse. On the square, you can just eat and see the famous restaurant " Le Bibent ". This restaurant was built in 1843 and mixes baroque art and art nouveau. Its decor is chacacteristic of the " Belle Epoque ". The building was listed as a historical monument in 1975 interior design. When you open the door, you can see some stucco friese ans mirrors, which remind us of Napoleons III style. A typical Toulouse cellar in terracotta bricks is located in the basement and can accommodate around thirty people. The restaurant also has beautiful outdoor terrace, that allows you to eat with a magnificent view of the entire Place du Capitole. Finally, on the square, there are four 4/5 star hotels, all of which have very pleasant interior courtyards. You can discover them in the interactive videos that you will find on Facebook at franck bruguiere. Behind the Capitole: Square Charles-de-Gaulle, the keep and the garden. Behind the Capitole, we are in the Square Charles-de-Gaulle. In the past, the Capitole was a great castle. At during the French revolution everything was destroyed. The garden of the square was redesigned in 2015. The piece of art is called " Motherhood ", and was created by " Jean-Louis Touttain", who was a student of arts in Toulouse. Children use it as a kind of playground, for example they climb on it or they jump down from it. Then you have the Capitol keep which dates from the 16th century. Monsieur " Viollet le Duc " had a belfry to it with its Flemish bell tower. It is in this building that the trial of the Protestant " calas " takes place. Today the Capitole keep and the Toulouse tourist office. Finally on the square, you will find a statue of " Claude Nougaro ", who was born in Toulouse author, composer and performer. He is well known in France and had a real love for his hometown. This bronze is the work of " Sébastien Langloys". The inhabitants of Toulouse participated in the creation of this bronze. He made a melancholic song about Toulouse. But his second wife encouraged him, to make a happier song again. The latter has become not only a declaration of love to his birthplace, but the anthem of the pink city Toulouse too. We benefit here from a peaceful garden in the center, we can settle down, read, play or rest. La Place du Capitole: Toulouse by night: At night, the Place du Capitole is magnified by ecological LED lights. This allows the facade of the Capitole to be illuminated in different colors depending on the events. The Place du Capitole pulsates, because there are many restaurants and bars. INTERACTIVE PHOTOS BONUS: INTERACTIVE VIDEOS BONUS: That's all for Today, mi friends . I wish you a good reading. Welcome in Toulouse. The Blog from Toulouse. Greetings Franck.

Toulouse is the city in the southwest of France located 635 km south Paris. By car, it only takes 1 and a half hours to the Mediterranean sea, one and a half hours to the Pyrenees mountains and 3 hours to the Atlantic Ocean. Toulouse is the 3th. largest city of France, with 500 000 inhabitants in the center and an agglomeration of 1.1 million inhabitants. Our city was built more than 2000 years ago by the Romans. It consists of small, narrow roads and winding streets. You can't compare in to Bordeaux with its huge Haussmannian boulevards. This is why you have to discover Toulouse during extended walks in order to discover all its treasures which are often hidden secretly behind gates. Because, of its particular architecture Toulouse is nicknamed " the pink city ". All the buildings and houses in the historical center were built from terracotta bricks. Enjoy Toulouse under a beautiful blue sky or at sunset, holding a glass of champagne or white wine. Toulouse is one of the most dynamic cities in France. It is the European capital of aeronautics and space. Two examples are Airbus and Thales which are located in Toulouse. Our city is the second biggest university town of France, after Paris, with more than 120 000 students studying here. The climate is a mix between the Oceanic and the Mediterranean climate. There are extremely hot summers ( this is why there are so many private swimming pools in Toulouse), sunny autumns, fairly mild winters and rainy and sunny springs. That's all for today my friends . Welcome in Toulouse. The Blog from Toulouse. Greetings Franck.

Toulouse Matabiau station: You can go by train, the central station is called Toulouse-Matabiau. It is located right in the center of Toulouse and from there you can take the underground ( line A ). Unfortunately, there are not so many trains going to Toulouse. You need to take the TGV or another train from Paris Montparnasse to reach Toulouse. The TGV only goes from Paris to Bordeaux, from Bordeaux to Toulouse, it is just a regional train which doesn't go very fast. Therefore, the train takes four hours and twenty minutes. There is another train which connects Bordeaux, Toulouse and Marseille and regional trains that cater for the whole region. Toulouse-Blagnac airport: You can also take the plane. You arrive at the airport Toulouse-Blaganc. Our airport is the fourth biggest airport in the France, as far as the number of passengers are concerned. Before covid, there were 10 million travellers. It is only 10 km from the center to which it is connected by tramway. From Paris, you can travel by Air France and Easyjet. Toulouse Airport is connected to all the main French cities and to various international airports. The low-cost airlines like EasyJet, Ryanair and Volotea have lots of planes in Toulouse and offer a lot of destinations. From June 23 on, Air Canada offers flight from Toulouse to Montréal, 5 times a week, which is great new concerning the accessibility of our town. From 18 july on , Quatar Airways offers first flight from Toulouse to Doha, 3 times a week. Thanks to this line Toulouse is connected to the Asian continent to Australia and New-Zeland. In my blog, I will keep you updated if there are new ways to get to Toulouse. That's all for today. Welcome in Toulouse. The Blog from Toulouse. Greetings Franck.

INTRODUCTION : This splendid church is located between " Place du Capitole and the Basilica Saint-Sernin ", on the street of the same name, " Rue du Taur " . Let's set off to discover this magnificent church which has many surprises in store for you!. A Little history : It was listed as a historical monument in the 1840 register. It is not located here by chance. In fact, a certain " Saint-Saturnin " had founded the first Christian community of Toulouse in the year 250. However, since the Romans worshipped several gods and the population of Toulouse was pagan, they asked " Saint-Saturnin " to abandon his faith. " Saint-Saturnin " refused and the Romans sentenced him to death !!! . He was tied by the feet to a bull at the western gate of the city. He was dragged along the entire " Via Tolosana ", which today is " Rue du Taur ", streching from the " Capitole to the Basilica Saint-Sernin " . What is of particular to us is that, before reaching the site of the present " Basilica of Saint-Sernin ", the bull made a stop in front of this famous church of Taur that is being presented to you today. " Saint-Saturnin " was untied from the bull and attacked by the crowd, that was the end for him. He died on the very site where the " basilica of Saint-Sernin " now stands, abd this is why it was built at that location. Moreover, the relic of " Saint-Saturnin " is preserved ib the heart of hte basilica !!! . Characteristics and construction of the Church of Taur in Toulouse : It was built between the 14th and 16th centuries and is one the main monuments of Southern Gothic art. -The bell wall : It is characterized by a bell wall that perfectly follows the alignment of the buildings on the street. It is clearly visible fron the city center of Toulouse. The bell was in the tallest in the region, measuring 42 meters height. The façade, made of terracotta bricks, is typical of Toulouse architecture. It consists of two levels framed by small turrets and topped with a triangular pediment. Each level has three openings, and the carillon contains 13 bells !!!. -The portal : The latter is the Gothic style and was built at the beginning of the 14th century. It consists of two niches that house statues which originally belonged to those of " Rieux " . The statues depict " Saint Francis of Assisi and an apostle " , while the central niche features a statue of the " Virgin Mary " dating from the 18th century. -Inside : The nave : The main attraction of this church is its magnificent single nave in the Southern Gothic style. It is 12 meters wide, 40 meters long, and 16 meters high. On the south wall of the nave, there is painting dating from the 14th century. On the left wall, there is painting depicting the martyrdom of " Saint-Satrunin " . On the façade wall, you will discover the splendid organ, which was built between 1878 and 1880. The choir of the church : It was constructed in the 15th century as an extension of the work on the nave. in 1970, the church was provided with a new altar, which houses the relics of " Saint-Saturnin, Florian and Quentin ". Above the altar, there is a painting depicting the martyrdom of " Saint-Saturnin " and the glorification of the Virgin Mary. The chapels : -The Church of " Taur " contains three small chapels. The one on the left is decorated with a painting from 1890, and representing the death of " Saint-Joseph " . - The one on the right features a gilded wooden sculpture group depicting the education of the Virgin Mary by " Saint-Anne " . -In 1964 , the central chapel was up and a Black Madonna called " Virgin of the Rampart " was installed there. She wears different vestments according to the liturgical calendar. It dates from the sixteenth century and was placed in honor of the Catholics who had succeeded in driving the Protestants out of the city of Toulouse. The organ : It consists of 40 stops with 3 manuals and a pedalboard. It was listed as a historical monument for its instrumental part in 1887. The Church Taur Toady : It is an emblematic monument of our city that you absolutely must not miss if you ever visit Toulouse. Especially since it has undergone extensive renovation and was reopened for the Heritage Days on September 20th and 21st, 2025. Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Best regards, Franck . Adresse : 12, bis rue du Taur 31 000 TOULOUSE. BONUS PHOTOS : BONUS PHOTOS : EXTRA VIDEO : Magnificent pediment , typical of Toulouse architecture, on this church in the Pink City. Magnificent fresco depicting the martyrdom of " Saint-Saturnin " in this beautiful church in the city center of Toulouse. A Splendid interior with wall paintings , stained glass windows, statues, a marble altar, and frescoes in this church in Toulouse.

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY : Today, we're setting off to discover the " Saint-Cyprien " district, located on the left bank of the Garonne river . ( The historic city center lies on the right bank ) . Over the course of the history of the Pink City, the district has been Toulouse's working-class neighborhood. Today, it is changing and improving . We're mainly going to talk about the neighborhood's square, " Place Saint-Cyprien" , which is one of the large squares in Toulouse. It is rectangular in shape and designed in a neoclassical style . It was laid out by " Saget " as early as the second half of the 18th. century . In 1779, it was called " Place intérieure Saint-Cyprien " because it was located on the side facing the historic city center . Conversely, it was referred to as " Place Extérieure Saint-Cyprien" because it was located on the left bank of the Garonne , in what was then the countryside !!! . It has been as a protected heritage site since 1844. We ate going to discover three places : The monumental gate. The former public bathhouse. The covered " Saint-Cyprien " market . The monumental gate : It was built between 1776 and 1789 during the redevelopment of the " Saint-Cyprien " suburb to protect it against flooding from the Garonne river. This gate was constructed for its beauty....it is not a defensive gate like those of the Middle Ages . It consists of twin arches and large pink brick pillars topped with statues . They are two allegories !!! . The first represents the " Province du Languedoc ", wearing a crown and surrounded by symbols of commerce. The second represents the " City of Toulouse ", dressed in a military dress with a crown and a round shield. Beneath her feet are weapons and an enemy . In 1788, a wrought-iron gate was installed . During the great flood of 1875, it was carried away, and today it is located around the gardens district, know as the " Grand Rond " neighborhood . The former public baths : At the time of the Revolution, there were six public baths in Toulouse, most of which were located on barges along the Garonne river. It wasn't the 1930s and the development of urban planning that these municipal baths began to spread . In 1932, Toulouse had seven municipal baths, providing 86 000 showers per year, of which 4 000 were free . The building located on the square was inaugurated in 1931, facing the covered " Saint-Cyprien " market . The building is in the Art Deco style and is distinguished by a splendid mosaic on its façade. At the time, it has twelve shower stalls for woman and the same number for men . In 1992, the new building came to house the district town hall and the civic center. The mosaic frieze was restored and preserved on the façade. The " Saint-Cyprien" covered market : It is the third, the last, and the smallest of Toulouse's covered markets. Notably, it is the only covered hall in the Eiffel style fron the 19th. century that has been preserved in the Pink City . Indded, as a reminder, the two other large covered markets in Toulouse are housed in modern parking structures .( Victor Hugo and Carmes markets ) . Its size makes it a traditional market with a lively and friendly atmosphere . Every day, around thirty vendors offer a wide variety of fresh products. Note that on Mondays, the market hosts booksellers instead of regular vendors. Like the two other large covered markets in Toulouse, the " Saint-Cyprien " market hosts evening events. The idea is to come and enjoy the market's fresh products at night while partying to the music of a DJ !!! . NB : -Review the post about Toulouse's contemporary art museum, " Les Abattoirs " , there , you will find defensive walls of Toulouse dating from the Middle Ages, renovated and located near " Place Saint-Cyprien " . Well, my friends, that's all for today. Yes, the magnificent historic center of Toulouse is an absolute must-see, but the left bank of the Garonne, and the "Saint-Cyprien " district are definitely worth as well . Welcome in Toulouse . The blog from Toulouse . Best regards, Franck . EXTRA VIDEOS :

INTRODUCTION : All the inhabitants of Toulouse know him, but some do not know his history. It is easy to spot , as it Haussmann-style avenues : Rue Alsace-Lorraine ! . What if we set off together to discover this unusual building with more than interesting architecture ...... HISTORY : At the time , this building was constructed for the regional daily newspaper " La Dépêche du Midi " . At the beginning of the 20th. century, it became a national daily served as a mouthpiece for radical socialism . Originally, its headquarters were located in the railway station district, but to pay tribute to this newspaper , which had become national in scope, a decision was made in 1925 to build a new headquarters. The aim was to symbolize " progress and truth " !. CONsTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING : -The architect : The architect " Léon Jossely " ( 1875/1932 ) was commissioned to design the building . He was a former student of the Toulouse School of Fine Arts and had contributed to the construction of the " RAMBLAS " in Barcelona ! . He worked on Spanish Moresque art there. He left us a truly remarkable building in the Art Deco and Modernist style ! . -The building : In these Haussmann-style streets of Toulouse you can't miss this magnificent building. On this blue Art Deco façade, you immediately notice a goddess with a beautiful gaze , dressed in a magnificent fabric and surrounded by white clouds . All around her, you can see words inscribed such as " Politics, Agriculture, Industry, Literature, Art, Music, Fashion, and Advertising " ! . All of them are related to the media , which makes sense since this building was meant to house the local newspaper that had become national. The construction began in 1926, and a true temple of the press was built !. The façade is symmetrical, with rectangular and polygonal openings at its center. Finally, you can see bas-reliefs and bright mosaics. One last detail on this magnificent façade, intertwined " D " remind us of the newspaper's logo. One could say it is reminiscent of " COCO CHANEL'S " logo, a symbol of success since the 1920S . That's all for today my friends !. If you ever come to visit Toulouse, you will certainly pass by this magnificent and unusual building, so take the time to look up ! . Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Best regards, Franck . Adress : 42 bis Alsace-Lorraine street 31 000 Toulouse. BONUS VIDEO :

INTRODUCTION : Today, the blog from Toulouse delighted to present one of the most emblematic 16th. century Renaissance-style mansions in Toulouse. It later went on to inspire many of the city's mansions of our city !!! . We one its construction to " Jean D'Ulmo " , a man from a good family . In order to achieve a high social statuts himself, he obtained the title of Attorney General at the Parlement of Toulouse in 1526. Unfortunately, he was a swindler and eventually ended up being hanged . Construction of the " Ulmo " mansion in Toulouse : It is the first mansion in Toulouse to feature a straight staircase in the Renaissance-style !!! . It was built in two phases, between 1526 and 1536, on a plot of 4 000M2 . It was only completed in 1653 . Indeed, the first phase of construction is marked by the building of a magnificent gothic tower. It extends along the entire left wing upon entering through the splendid gate, which leads to the magnificent inner courtyard of this beautiful mansion. The left side was completed with the construction of the main residence at the back of the courtyard, and finally with the building of the right side . The grand entrance of this mansion is located on the porch, topped by an elegant 17th. century white marble balustrade , opening into a splendid Renaissance-style staircase. It features classical-style decoration with busts in medallions and antique roses . This mansion of Toulouse has been listed as a Historical Monument since July, 16, 1925!. That's all for today , my friends . I hope you enjoyed discovering this splendid Renaissance-style mansion in Toulouse, which has inspired many of the city's mansions in the Pink City !!! . Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Best regards, Franck. Adress : 15 , rue Ninau 31 000 Toulouse. BONUS PHOTO : EXTRA VIDEO :

INTRODUCTION : In the region of Toulouse, when people talk about towns dating back the Middle Ages, they immediately think of magnificent city of " Carcassonne " . But Toulouse was also a fortified medieval city, and you can still a few restored remains of it !!!. ( Boulevard Alfred Duportal and near our contemporary museum " Les Abattoirs " ) . Indeed, the fortifications were built in several phases between the 12th. and 16th. centuries. Ultimately, Toulouse was surrounded by fortifications with towers, gates, and moats, all of which were reinforced during the Wars of Religion . I propose you to discover the buildings dating back to the Middle Ages that still remain scattered throughout Toulouse. HISTORY : The different style of buildings dating to Middle Ages in Toulouse : Toulouse has not always been the Pink City !!! . In the Middle Ages, only the buildings of bourgeois and religious famileis were made of brick . -The houses for poor or modest families : Most of dwellings belonging to modest families were built of wood and wattle and daub-clay, earth, straw, sand, and water . The carpenter installed the timber framing " colombage " , an exposed wooden structure on the façades. It could be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Then, the spaces between the large wooden beams were filled with different materials, wattle, daub, bricks for the wealthier constructions, plaster and stone . -The houses of wealthier families : In this type of house, the spaces between the wooden structures were filled with bricks. But these were reserved only the wealthiest members of the city. These buildings had façades called " corondage " , meaning they were filled with bricks . Conclusion : All these different types of constructions were mixed together in the narrow streets throughout the city of Toulouse !!! . The Problem of Fires : The majority of Toulouse at the time, like all cities in Europe, consisted of modest wooden dwellings. Numerous fires often broke out and destroyed homes. In Toulouse, the fire of May 7, 1463, destroyed two-thirds of the old city. It is said that the fire started from a baker's oven !!! . Fueled by the local wind known as th " Autan " of Toulouse, it lasted 1é days and destroyed more than 7000 homes . The Reconstruction of Toulouse : It was King " Louis XI " who personally traveled to Toulouse in order to see the extensive damages . He made a decision for the reconstruction of Toulouse : The Pink City would no longer pay the royal tax or another tax called " taillle " for 100 years . Toulouse became a major construction site, as the city needed to be built . In just 25 years, it can be said that it was beautiful !. Indeed, the materials used were noble, namely white stone or brick . It was ih the 16th. century that the marchants who had made their fortune with the handel of the " Pastel " ( The blue pigments that conquered the world and brought about Toulouse's golden age ) built the many mansions that the city is known for . The poorest populations, on the other hand, lived in the suburbs of Toulouse. The " Capitouls " , who were the administrators of Toulouse at the time, took measures against fires : The big fires have stuck Toulouse during the centuries stayed in the mind of the all inhabitants of the Pink City . The " Capitouls " decided to take measures to protect Toulouse from fires : Lookouts were stationed atop the city's bell towers to sound the alarm in case of fire . The Wooden eaves on rooftops were banned . As early as 1550, shared brick walls between buildings were imposed . A few years later, timber framing and wooden structures were banned . Indeed, in 1733, chimney sweeping was made mandatory. Discovering Medieval Toulouse Dwellings Today : As I always tell you, the charm of Toulouse is that you will have to go and discover it for yourself. Indeed, buildings dating back to the Middle Ages are present throughout the city center of Toulouse. However, you will find some very fine examples ( Rue des Filatiers ) . This street connects the Carmes covered market to Esquirol Square . That's all for today, my friends. I hope this journey back to the Middle Ages has fascinated you. Don't hesitate to explore the Pink City by visiting its splendid buidings !!! . Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Best regards, Franck. BONUS PHOTOS : THE BUILDINGS DATING FROM THE MIDDLE AGES IN THE CITY CENTER OF TOULOUSE : BONUS PHOTO : THE BUILDING DATIND FROM THE MIDDLE AGES LOCATED ( 5 , rue des Filatiers 31 000 TOULOUSE ) : BONUS PHOTO : A LOVELY BUILDING FROM THE MIDDLE AGES IN TOULOUSE NEAR THE MONOPRIX ( rue, Alsace-lorraine ) : - `EXTRA VIDEOS :

INTRODUCTION : We are going to talk once about a mansion in Toulouse. This is due to the Golden Age of " Pastel" that Toulouse experienced in the 16th. century. As a result, Toulouse and Venice are the two European cities with the largest number of mansion in their city centers. So, shall we set off to discover them together... Enjoy your visit ! HISTORY : The " Bernuy" mansion originates from the 16th. century "Pastel" trade. Indeed, its builder , " Jean de Bernuy " was one of the largest woad merchants in Toulouse. It was built in 1554 by the latter for his son, by the renowned Toulouse born architect " Nicolas Bachelier ". However, his son went on to have a distinguished parliamentary career and did not purse the trade of this magnificent blue pigment, which had been adopted by kings, European nobility and even the Catholic Church !!! . ARCHITECTURE : This mansion is in a Renaissance style !!! . When entering through the porch of the " Bernuy" mansion, one finds oneself in a typical Toulouse inner courtyard . What immediately catches the eye are the two main pints of interest of this magnificent building. The first point of interest is the passage of the passage of the straight-flight staircase, marked by a monumental gate . It consists of paired doric columns and a doric capital inspired by one from the "Basilica of Aemilia " in Rome. The second point on interest is the upper window located above the gran gate, which completes the ensemble. It si farmed by Corinthian columns and two large wings with leaf motifs. The splendid window was constructed, like the gate, in the antique style. Indeed, numerous ornaments, such as sculpted masks, were to the doric columns. There were sculpted between 1530 and 1540, as in the interior decorations of the royal castles of " Fontainebleau and Madrid " . That's all for today my friends . The porch of this Renaissance-style mansion in the city center of Toulouse is still open, so I recommend visiting it !!! . Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Best regards, Franck. Adress : 5, rue de la Pomme 31 000 Toulouse. EXTRA VIDEO :

INTRODUCTION : Another wonderful surprise that Toulouse has to offer. Between the so-called " Tounis " quay and the area known as " La Garonnette " in Toulouse, a statue can go unnoticed if you don't look up. I'm going to set out to discover it with you !!! . HISTORY : Before talking about this statue, to better understand its presence in downtown Toulouse, we need to discuss a bit of history. Indeed, in the 19.th century, the inhabitants of the Pink City enjoyed both wine and beer. It was during this time that the latter was introduced to Toulouse and embraced by everyone !. Because of the Franco-Prussian War, many Alsatians came to settle in Toulouse and established no fewer than 30 breweries throughout the city. That quality of the local beer , which had been poor, then became excellent !!! . It is in the building that once housed the " Strasbourg " brewery that the so-called statue of King of Flanders " Gambrinus " Stands. This famous king is very well known in Belgium, but who is he really ? That's what we are going to explore together..... -The statue : Carved into the white stone is the depiction of a bearded man wearing a crown on his head, holding a beer mug one hand and a sword under his arm. He looks into the distance and smile broadly. The beautiful period blue entrance, just imagine the carriages leaving the brewery, filled with barrels of beer. -History : According to legend, this mythical King of Flanders, adored by beer lovers, had made a pact with the devil and tis obtained hops to brew beer. He became a beloved figure for all beer enthusiasts . That is why he gave his name to numerous breweries around the world. In Belgium, he even has his own celebration, which takes place on April 11. The Evolution of Breweries in Toulouse : Due to heavy competition in the 1950s, many breweries disappeared. Thanks to " Georges Haffner " , who had passsed on his expertise at the time to " Alain Cayvela " , beer continues to thrive in Toulouse. The latter, founder of " Les Frères Brasseurs ", has been producing since 2001 in " Aucamville " , a suburb of Toulouse, two traditional local beers that had disappeared since 1975 : " La TOLOSA and la TAMEA " . Son shall we go have a little beer together ? Cheers !!! . Adress : 10, rue du Pont De Tounis 31 000 Toulouse . Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Best regards, Franck. EXTRA BONUS VIDEO :

INTRODUCTION : The Toulouse blog is pleased to present to you today our photography Museum, called : " Galerie du Château d'Eau " . We are going to explore it together, and you'll see, it has many surprises in store for you !!!. A little History : -From 1825 to 1974 : This brick tower rises between " The Pont Neuf " and a place called " The Cours Dillon ". The Toulouse Photography Museum is actually a former water tower that drew water from the Garonne River to supply the 90 fountains of our city. Inside, you can see an old hydraulic system and a wheel, which was the mechanism used to pump water from the Garonne River. Later, no longer in use, the water tower fell into disrepair. As a fun fact, it was used as an exteroir set for the filming of the famous movie " La Bourse ou la Vie " starring " Fernandel " . -From 1974 to 1986 : It was in 1974 that the Photography gallery of " The Château d'eau" in Toulouse was established it this magnificent building. It was a famous photographer from Toulouse, " Jean Dieuzaide " , who bought this abandoned building to turn it into the photography gallery of our city. I believe it is a unique and extraordinary place in the world. At the inauguration, on the façade walls, " Jean Dieuzaide " had a famous black-and-white photograph hung : The Stolen kiss in front of the Paris City Hall by " Robert Doisneau " . In this splendid gallery, he organized nearly 500 exhibitions, featuring renowned photographers as well as young emerging talents. Color photographers arrived with the famous " Niggi Messerli " and many others. In the 1980s attention turned to the mutual influence between art photography and photojournalism. In the 1990s, the gallery primarily showcased compositions by visual artists. " Jean Dieuzaide " , famous French photographer : This is a famous humanist photographer born in Toulouse. He is the only French photographer to have received both the " Nièpce and Nadar " awards for is work. These two French prizes are the most prestigious honors that can be given to a photographer. He produced over one million negatives, many of them depicting his native city of Toulouse. He was also the photographer who captured " General de Gaulle " during the liberation of the city . The Architecture of the buildng : The " Château d'Eau Gallery " in Toulouse features architecture typical of our city, made in of terracotta bricks. It has a rotunda shape resting on a massive base. At the top, there is a small dome with a slate roof. Well, my friends, that's all for today. I'm very happy to have shared with you thus unique place dedicated to photography in our beautiful city of Toulouse. Welcome in Toulouse. The blog from Toulouse. Best regards, Franck. Adress : 1 , Place Laganne 31 300 Toulouse. BONUS PHOTO OF THE MUSEM EXTERIOR : BONUS PHOTO OF A NEW PART OF THE WATER TOWER IN ODER TO MAKE EXHIBITIONS: BONUS OLD PHOTOS OF THE TOULOUSE WATER TOWER : BONUS VIDEOS :