You don’t know where to go for a weekend? What if I told you that it’s possible to find a beach and a mountain quite close to Toulouse? Take a look at our 15 dream destinations for a weekend less than 2 hours away from Toulouse.
Beaches
Gruissan (1h56 car ride)
This harbor village in the south of France doesn’t only have an atypical shape, but also has several beaches as well.
If you want to sunbathe, you don’t have to look any further.
A nightclub, a casino, a funfair… There is so much to do in Gruissan!
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: L’hôtel Le Phoebus Garden & Spa, which is relaxing and close to nature (prices starting at €75)
- The most elegant: La Maison de Gruissan, which is located in the heart of the port village (prices starting at €80)
Leucate (1h53 car ride)
It’s not far from the previous destination, the sun and the beach are very present in Leucate as well; but that’s not all!
This coastal gem is the ideal destination if you’re into water sports or if you want to spend a day in Aqualand.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: The Rev’Hôtel, which is a fews steps away from the beach (prices starting at €54)
- The most luxurious: The 19-21- Un Amour d’hôtel, with its heated pool and its elegance (prices starting at €135)
Cities
Narbonne (1h27 by train)
This city is very famous for its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.
It is classified as a City of Art and History, with a very strong cultural heritage dating back 2500 years.
Narbonne is full of historical sites such as the Abbaye de Fontfroide, the Cathedral of Saints Justus and Pastor of Narbonne or the Palace of the Archbishops.
You won’t get bored in Narbonne.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: The Brit Hotel Plaisance, with air-conditioned rooms to relax (prices starting at €68)
- The most immersive: La Maison Gustave, which is located in the heart of the historic center of Narbonne (prices starting at €138)
Carcassonne (44 minutes by train)
This city is full of monuments and places that remind us of its past.
Known as the Medieval City, the City of Carcassonne is full of buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, as well as monuments such as the Château Comtal.
If you want to travel back in time, don’t hesitate: you can get there by train from Toulouse.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: The Residence Adonis Carcassonne, with the comfort of an entire studio and the services of a hotel (prices starting at €55)
- The most elegant: The Hotel Pont Levis, which is housed in an 18th century building (prices starting at €214)
Lourdes (1h56 car ride)
This city is very famous for one particular reason: it is a hub of Catholic pilgrimage.
But that’s not all, Lourdes is the second largest hotel city in France after Paris, with nearly 10,000 rooms.
If you decide to visit, be sure to explore the Notre-Dame de Lourdes shrines and the Grotto of Massabielle, the city’s most iconic sites.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: The Hotel Duchesse Anne, located in the heart of the city with one of the most memorable facades (prices starting at €27)
- Top rated: The Grand Hôtel Moderne, which has fabulous decoration and typical French architecture (prices starting at €137)
Montauban (1h01 by train)
It is easily recognized by its architecture, which is quite different from other French cities.
The “pinkest of the pink cities” is, as its nickname suggests, a city dotted with buildings made of pink bricks!
You can find many museums, like the Toy Museum and the Ingres Bourdelle Museum which is dedicated to two artists of the region.
All in all, it is a friendly city at only one hour by train from Toulouse.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The most pleasant: The Hotel du Commerce, right in the middle of the city and close to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption (prices starting at €60)
- The most elegant: The Abbaye des Capucins & Resort, a hotel complex that will offer everything you expect from a hotel (prices starting at €121)
Mountain
Causses du Quercy (1h41 car ride)
If you want to spend some time in the mountains where the air is fresh, you should know that it is possible to get there in less than 2 hours from Toulouse.
The Regional Natural Park of the Causses du Quercy is a real jewel of French heritage which combines valleys, mountainous landscapes and underground caves.
The most visited cave is called the Gouffre de Padirac, which sinks 103 meters deep through a monumental entrance.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: Le Mas des 3 ânes, a friendly-looking building with a pool to relax after a long hike (prices starting at 46€)
- The closest: The Hotel Restaurant des Grottes, an ideal location to explore the caves around (prices starting at 135€)
The Montcalm Massif (1h54 car ride)
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A hike can be a good solution if you’re tired of the daily grind.
What better way to stretch your legs than to go hiking?
Several hikes of varying difficulty levels are available to you: the Chemin des Orris, the Cascades de l’Artigue, or the Pique d’Estats and Montcalm if you are very experienced.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The closest: Le Refuge du Fourcat, a friendly place to stay after a long hike (prices starting at €20, french website)
Vol à Voile, the Montagne Noire (1h05 car ride)
If you’re looking for a thrill, this is the place for you.
In a secluded corner near the mountains, you will find the Montagne Noire airfield, where the aviation club Vol à Voile Montagne Noire offers introductory flights to learn how to fly a glider.
Flying with a view of the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees in the background, what better way to take in the sights?
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: Camping Le Moulin du Roy, an ideal location in the city of Revel (prices starting at €42, french website)
- The most pleasant: The Château de la Pomarède, with its medieval and warm atmosphere (prices starting at €94)
Goulier Neige Ski Resort (1h42 car ride)
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Skiing less than 2 hours away from Toulouse? It is possible!
The Goulier Neige resort offers slopes which are between 1,500 m and 1,850 m high, which is enough to satisfy your thirst for skiing.
You can also stop to eat in a restaurant with a panoramic view of the valley.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The cheapest: Le Relais d’Endron, equipped for a comfortable stay (prices starting at €29)
- The most unusual: Le Joséphine, which is in the heart of the Pyrenees (prices starting at €171)
Countryside
Château de Foix (1h05 car ride)
Foix is a city at the edge of the Regional Park of the Ariegean Pyrenees, built around a magnificent elevated castle.
It is possible to visit this enormous castle, which has been turned into a museum of the Middle Ages.
Catapults, weapons, scenery and workshops… there is something for everyone at the Château de Foix.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The most elegant: The Hôtel Pyrène, with its tennis court and its modern appearance (prices starting at €95)
- The cheapest: Le Gîte de Pawel, the perfect Bed & Breakfast to relax (prices starting at €58)
Fleurance (1h25 car ride)
A small town near Toulouse.
In this dynamic and simple town, you can attend the astronomy festival which is one of the most important scientific culture events in Europe.
You can also practice sport-related activities, such as golf.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The most elegant: An atypical room at an artist’s, with an introduction to drawing and a free drawing kit (prices starting at €57)
- The cheapest: Le Piot, a house with an elegant architecture and vegan cuisine (prices starting at €79)
Quirky
Balcon des Étoiles (50 minutes car ride)
There are specific places where you can observe the stars with a clear sky.
The Balcon des Étoiles is one of them, and is located in the village of Latrape, which is labeled as “starry village” because of its fight against light pollution.
A starry night only 45 kilometers away from Toulouse.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The closest: The Villa Monplaisir Gîte Zen, which is warm and well equipped (prices starting at €70)
Cave of Niaux (1h18 car ride)
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You might have heard of the Lascaux cave, decorated with prehistoric paintings.
You should know that the cave of Niaux, less than 2 hours away from Toulouse, is also covered with them.
A good way to spend an unforgettable moment is by discovering paintings made in a distant past.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The closest: La Petite Auberge de Niaux, a spacious room in the heart of the mountain (prices starting at €82)
Maison des Loups (1h56 car ride)
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Are you looking for an unusual activity to do near Toulouse?
La Maison des Loups (website in French) welcomes you to discover five subspecies of wolves from all over the world.
The park is 10 hectares in size! Enough to give you the breath of fresh air you need.
Accommodations we recommend to stay at:
- The most pleasant: Les locations de la Vallée d’Orlu, a cabin close to the mountain (prices starting at €170, french website)
- The cheapest: The Camping Ascou la Forge, a dream location to camp (prices starting €49)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
