Head for the streets north and west of place St-Etienne for chic clothing shopping. You’ll find more boutiques in the rue Croix-Baragnon, rue des Arts, and rue St-Antoine de T (including The Kooples, originally from Toulouse).  Reflets Compans (www.reflets-compans.com), to the north of the old town, offers mid-range high street brands. Antique lovers head for rue Fermat. More down-market antiques spread out each Saturday 6am to 1pm during the weekly flea market by the place Saint-Aubin. The Square Charles De Gaulle holds an organic market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings and around Eglise St-Aubin on Sunday mornings.

The three main covered markets, all filled with food stalls, restaurants, and cafes, are the 126-year old Les Carmes (pl. des Carmes), the large Victor Hugo (pl. Victor Hugo, pictured above) with 100 stalls, and Saint-Cyprien at place Rouguet. They all have late night openings (check times with the Tourist Office). For superb chocolates and cakes, try Maison Pillon, 2 rue Ozenne, 2 rue d’Austerlitz, and 23 rue du Languedoc.

Violets grow in abundance in meadows near Toulouse. Two shops selling items like violet-scented perfume and patterned-violet clothes and accessories include Violettes & Pastels, 10 rue St-Pantaléon (tel. 05-61-22-14-22), and La Maison de la Violette, a boat on the Canal du Midi opposite 2 bd. Bonrepos (www.lamaisondelaviolette.com; tel. 05-61-99-01-30). 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.