Head for rue d'Alsace-Lorraine, which is rich in clothing and housewares, or the well-stocked shopping mall, the Centre Commercial St-Georges, rue du Rempart St-Etienne. For upscale boutiques, stroll down rue Croix-Baragnon, rue des Arts, and rue St-Antoine du T. The pearly gates of antiques heaven are on rue Fermat. More down-market antiques spread out each Sunday from 6am to 1pm during the weekly flea market adjacent to the Basilique St-Sernin. In addition to that, in the same spot, a brocante sale takes place on the first weekend (Fri-Sun) of each month from 8am to 1pm.
Violets grow in abundance in meadows on the outskirts of Toulouse. Two shops that sell everything imaginable connected with violets include Violettes & Pastels, 10 rue St-Pantaléon (tel. 05-61-22-14-22; www.violettesetpastels.com), and Péniche Maison de la Violette, 4 bd. Bonrepos (tel. 05-61-99-01-30; www.lamaisondelaviolette.fr). Inventories include violet-scented perfume, and clothing -- especially scarves -- patterned with the dainty purple flower.
