Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Toulouse is the capital of the Occitanie region in southern France, known for its vibrant culture, historical architecture, and aerospace industry. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 493,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD, widely accepted credit cards and contactless payments. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include BNP Paribas, HSBC, and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and extended stay hotels. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb, Spotahome, and Homelike are commonly used for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel La Petite Auberge offers affordable dormitory and private room options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Capitole district, known for its charm and proximity to attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Saint-Cyprien area, popular for its cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Freelance Factory, known for its community and events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café des Artistes, with free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Toulouse Startups organizes regular meetups and networking events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Toulouse Expat Meetup group on Facebook for community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber operate widely in Toulouse. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Toulouse Bike (VélôToulouse) offers bike rentals throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Narbonne Beach is approximately 1.5 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Toulouse-Blagnac Airport serves regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and Ryanair offer international flights from Toulouse. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A61 and A62 highways provide major road connections. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Toulouse Matabiau Station serves as the primary train station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Tisséo offers various transport passes including single and monthly options. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to nearby cities like Carcassonne and Montpellier are available. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse (CHU Toulouse) is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | L’Atelier de Yoga offers classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and L'Orange Bleue have several locations across Toulouse. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Automatique is a popular laundromat offering self-service washing. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo are the primary food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Cassoulet, a traditional slow-cooked casserole. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | La Lune et Le Verre, a popular vegan café. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Dulcería de Toulouse for authentic French pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Marché Victor Hugo offers local produce and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon France operates locally. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Auchan and Carrefour offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rue de la Dalbade is well-known for its nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie de la Garonne offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Les Caves de la Maréchale specializes in local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks are commonly found at Place du Capitole. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Various options including Italian and Asian cuisine can be found around the city. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Place du Capitole and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musee des Augustins showcases fine arts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Cité de l'Espace, an impressive space exploration center. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cathedral of Saint-Étienne is a notable religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Toulouse's Fiesta de la Musique celebrates music every summer. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Saint-Cyprien hosts a vibrant cultural scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Le Théâtre du Capitole is known for opera and ballet. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Place du Capitole hosts a weekly farmer's market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | La Dynamo is a prominent music venue in Toulouse. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals can be spotted around the Calle San Miguel. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cook & Go offers hands-on cooking experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Saint-Georges features contemporary artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Hôtel de Ville is an iconic historic building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The pink bricks (briques roses) symbolize Toulouse. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parc de la Grande Plaine offers open spaces for picnics and walks. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Cévennes National Park is about a 2-hour drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Canal du Midi is perfect for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The panoramas from Parc de la Maourine. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Soleil Levant is known for birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in Parc des Jardins des Plantes allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | La Poste for standard postal services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Fnac provides tech support and electronic repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club Toulouse offers facilities for players. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Linguistic Institute of Toulouse offers French language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Bibliothèque municipale offers quiet reading areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | MJC Les Mazades for community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Toulouse Geek Home for gaming and events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Barrière Toulouse provides gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €140,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation based on notional rental value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is around 5-7%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Toulouse offers a flat tax rate for foreign entrepreneurs of 0% on income earned abroad in the first year. |