Essentials
- City
- Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, Occitanie, France
- Population
- Approximately 500,000 (City), 1.4 million (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- High speed; average 95 Mbps (Fiber widely available)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include BNP Paribas and Société Générale.
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable; high quality throughout the city.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, Free Mobile, SFR, Bouygues. Free Mobile offers 250GB for €19.99/month.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, and Nickel (available at tobacconists) are popular for expats.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Leboncoin (local classifieds), and Seloger.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless payment (Sans Contact) is standard even for small amounts.
- Short Term Rentals
- Colonies (Coliving), Morning Croissant, and Airbnb.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Lyon (La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin) - beds from €28/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Capitole and Les Carmes for proximity to landmarks and pink terracotta architecture.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Saint-Cyprien (trendy, left bank) or Chalets (quiet but central).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- HarryCow (near Capitole) - €25/day; Etincelle Coworking - €20/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Baya Coffee (Saint-Cyprien) and Ras la Tasse (Rue des Tourneurs).
- Networking Events
- Silicon Toulouse meetups and 'La Cantine' events for tech professionals.
- Social Events for Expats
- Toulouse Expats Facebook Group and Meetup.com language exchanges at The London Town pub.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Bolt are widely available. Taxis-Toulouse for traditional booking.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- VélôToulouse (city bikes) - €1.20/day pass; Tier and Dott for e-scooters.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Narbonne-Plage (1.5 hours by train/car) on the Mediterranean coast.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (Hop!) and easyJet.
- Top International Airline
- Air France, KLM, and Ryanair (base at Blagnac TLS).
- Highway Access
- Well connected by A61 (to Narbonne), A62 (to Bordeaux), and A64 (to Pyrenees).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Toulouse-Matabiau.
- Public Transport Passes
- Tisséo - €55/month for unlimited Metro, Tram, and Bus.
- Regional Travel
- TER Occitanie trains to Carcassonne (€10-€20) and Albi.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHU Toulouse - Hôpital Purpan (Top-ranked in France).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Searcher Toulouse (Rue de la Pomme) and Sattva Yoga.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Basic-Fit (multiple locations) - from €19.99/4 weeks; Movida for premium classes.
- Laundry Services
- La Laverie (Rue du Taur) - approx €5 per wash.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Deliveroo.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cassoulet (try it at Le Colombier, ~€28).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- La Belle Verte (Rue d'Aubuisson) and Invita Fresh Food.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Sandyan by Yannick Delpech and Le Poussin Bleu.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Victor Hugo (fresh produce) and Lidl for groceries.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr, Cdiscount, and Veepee.
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Livré chez vous and Monoprix via UberEats.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Place Saint-Pierre (student vibes) and Place des Carmes (chic bars).
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie de la Seillonne and Le Breughel l'Ancien.
- Wine Bars
- N5 Wine Bar (voted world's best wine bar multiple times).
- Street Food Stalls
- Place de l'Estrapade vendors and the food hall at Marché Victor Hugo.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Shin-Ya Ramen and Boli Café (Korean).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Place du Capitole and Basilique Saint-Sernin.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Les Abattoirs (Modern Art) and Musée des Augustins.
- Historical Sites
- Couvent des Jacobins (resting place of Thomas Aquinas).
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and Basilique Notre-Dame de la Daurade.
- Annual Events
- Rio Loco (music festival in June) and Violet Festival (February).
- Cultural Districts
- Arnaud Bernard for street art and alternative culture.
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre du Capitole (Opera) and Le Bikini (Concert hall).
- Local Markets
- Marché des Carmes and Marché Crystal (Boulevard de Strasbourg).
- Music Scene
- Jazz at Le Taquin and electro at Le Rex.
- Street Art
- Rue de Gramat (famous for legal graffiti walls).
- Cooking Classes
- L'atelier des Chefs Toulouse (Square de la Tour).
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Echarpe and Galerie 21.
- Historic Buildings
- Hôtel d'Assézat (Renaissance palace).
- Local Heritage
- Aeronautical heritage (Airbus factory tours and Cité de l'Espace).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Canal du Midi (UNESCO site) for shaded walks and boating.
- National Parks Nearby
- Pyrénées National Park (approx 2 hours south).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Promenade Henri-Martin along the Garonne river.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Pont Neuf at sunset for views of the river and 'La Grave' dome.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Reserve Naturelle Régionale de Confluence Garonne-Ariège.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally restricted; use designated BBQ areas in Base de Sports et de Loisirs de la Ramée.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste, Mondial Relay (pickup points), and DHL.
- Tech Repair Services
- WeFix (inside FNAC Jeanne d'Arc) and Save (Capitole).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Jardin Compans-Caffarelli public tables.
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de Toulouse (Boulevard de Strasbourg).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque d'Étude et du Patrimoine and Médiathèque José Cabanis.
- Community Centers
- Espace Diversités Laïcité.
- Gaming Lounges
- Meltdown Toulouse (Esports bar).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Théâtre Barrière Toulouse (Ile du Ramier).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €156,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €93,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €240,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €145,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €337,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €202,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate in France)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat tax / Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique)
- Tax System
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on French-source income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus a potential exceptional contribution of 3-4%)
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Article 209 B of the French Tax Code.
- Property Tax
- Taxe Foncière (annual, paid by owners) and Taxe d'Habitation (being phased out for primary residences).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Notary fees and land registry taxes).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific 0% nomad visa, but the 'Auto-entrepreneur' scheme offers simplified tax reporting for freelancers.