Toulouse, Europe's aerospace capital

France's fourth biggest city and a popular tourist destination in its own right

, Toulouse is perhaps best known as Europe's unofficial aerospace capital. From the pioneering flight of Clment Ader to the establishment of the Toulouse Space Centre (CST) - the largest such centre in the continent - Toulouse has strong associations with aerospace that makes it appealing not only to visitors with a keen interest in space and aviation, but also to those looking for opportunities to work and study in the field.

That's because aerospace is more than just a tourist attraction in Toulouse - for 35,000 of the 40,000 people who live in the inner city, it's also a way of life, with many jobs in the area being tied to civil aviation or aerospace companies such as Airbus. Toulouse has been at the centre of Europe's aerospace industry for several decades, and has seen many aircraft come and go - most famously Concorde, which the city played a key role in developing.

It's not just manned vehicles that Toulouse has been instrumental in developing. The city is also home to the SPOT satellite system, EADS Astrium Satellites and Europe's largest satellite manufacturer, Thales Alenia Space. Many people understandably visit Toulouse precisely because of its role in the history of aviation, and the city is ready and waiting to show off its accomplishments.

You can book ahead to secure a tour of the Airbus site and see vehicle parts being made, or for a more family-friendly attraction, head to Toulouse's 'space city' (Cit de l'Espace) which features numerous exhibits and interactive displays of craft from throughout the ages, as well as a fascinating planetarium that can inspire kids with their heads in the stars. The space city can be found just outside of the city centre and is easily reached with Toulouse car rental from the city or Blagnac airport. Adult admission is 18.5, and 12 for children.

Don't make your trip to Toulouse entirely about its aeronautic centres though - this beautiful city in south-west France has much to offer in the way of natural attractions too, including scenic walks along the Garonne river and Canal du Midi. Its historical buildings aren't to be sneered at either, from a reflective tour of the impressive Basilique Saint Sernon church to historical discovery at Georges Labit Museum. Toulouse also has several excellent art galleries for cultural visitors, most notably Les Augustins and Les Abattoirs museum of modern art.

Toulouse, Europe's aerospace capital

By: Paul Buchanan

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