The European city that's a best-kept secret but feels just like Barcelona

The stunning city of Toulouse, nestled in the south of France on the banks of the River Garonne, is often likened to Barcelona - but with fewer tourists. With a population exceeding 500,000, it holds the same significance to the Occitan region as Barcelona does to Spanish Catalonia.

Both cities are cultural powerhouses far from their respective capitals, boasting unique customs, histories and languages. Yet, while Barcelona draws in millions of tourists annually with its Gothic quarter, Toulouse's alleyways and cathedrals retain an air of mystery, remaining a well-kept secret for those who prefer the road less travelled.

Known as La Ville Rose (the Pink City) due to its distinctive pink terracotta bricks and ochre roof tiles that glow at sunset, Toulouse is a sight to behold. Its charming Old Quarter is a maze of quaint shops, eateries and churches, beyond which lies a bustling metropolis.

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As France's fourth largest city with a significant student population, Toulouse offers a lively nightlife and café culture, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing getaway. The Fat Cat jazz bar and Café Théâtre Les 3T comedy club are popular spots, although non-French speakers may feel a bit out of place.

The city also boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Canal du Midi, the Basilica of St Sernin and the Hotel-Dieu Saint-Jacques, all of which hold significant importance to the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, reports .

There's plenty of history to explore, including the Couvent des Jacobins, Place du Capitol, Musee des Augustins, Fondation Bemberg, and the university, which is one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1229. For those with a passion for aerospace, Toulouse is France's capital of space, boasting a space museum, an aviation museum and the Toulouse Space Centre, the largest in Europe.

During summer, the city enjoys an average high temperature of just over 28C and a low of around 17C, while winter temperatures range between 3C and 9C. Accommodation options are plentiful, from hotels and hostels to holiday lets, and there are direct flights from Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and London.