Aeronautics and space tours in Toulouse, head in the stars!

From the First World War, Toulouse developed an aviation industry. In 1917, the adventure began with the Latécoère aircraft. In 1927, Saint-Exupéry and Mermoz brought it its letters of nobility. The airmail was born! A little before the Second World War, the "Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Midi" was created. It would be renamed "Sud-Aviation", before becoming "Airbus".

From the 70s, it will be the era of Aerospace, with the Concorde project, A320, A380… This is why today, Toulouse offers you a wide and exceptional choice of visits around the themes of aeronautics, to be enjoyed with the family for space fans or airplane enthusiasts! A magical opportunity to get close to these extraordinary machines, without a suitcase and without a plane ticket!

Photo credit for the opening image: ©Cité de l'espace; Author: Manuel Huynh

The Aeroscopia Museum

From the ephemeral take-off of the first aircraft at the end of the 19^th century, to the A380, it is a long story of more than a century that is told to you in this extraordinary museum, located in Blagnac. It also presents a very rich collection of aircraft, composed of legendary planes, such as the "Bleriot" or the "Caravelle", from the gigantic A380, to current drones, these miniaturized jewels of technology. Between events, animations and workshops, it is a living and fun museum.

The City of Space

At the Cité de l'Espace in Toulouse, you will have a real experience to discover space. At the foot of the "Ariane" rocket or the "Sputnik" satellite, you will be able to take the measure of these extraordinary machines. In the "Imax" cinema, the "Planétarium" and the "Stellarium", you will enter, with your family, the heart of the universe. Then, you will be able to admire real objects from space, understand the life of an astronaut, or learn how the weather is predicted from space, with a forecaster from Météo France...

The Aeronautics Museum

In Bagnère-de-Luchon, the Aeronautics Museum is dedicated to Léon Elissalde. Nicknamed "Léon du Blayais", he is an emblematic figure of regional aeronautics. He experienced the beginnings of history, in 1934, as a flight engineer, until the creation of this museum in 1991. The collection includes equipment and remains of aircraft from the Second World War and the post-war period, as well as period photos and documents.

The flight of the pioneers

The flight of the pioneers traces the lives of these exceptional men, passionate and a little crazy, who braved the unknown to realize their dreams and explore the sky. Through models and reconstructions, accessories, documents and testimonies, provided by the pilots, you will discover the industrial history of Montaudran, the challenges and experiences, the journey of these pioneers and the vocation of Aéropostale.

The Garden of the Line

Focused on the airmail line that connected Toulouse to Santiago-du-Chile, the Jardins de la ligne follow this legendary track and go back in time and space. Along the track, you take off in 1918, with this first Toulouse-Barcelona flight. Then, you fly over the continents through the discovery of these landscapes seen from above, according to the development of the Aéropostale.

Let's Visit Airbus

Directly on the Airbus site, a very immersive experience is offered to you. We explain the design, testing and flight trials phases. You relive the first flight of the A380, in a replica room. You visit the aircraft assembly site. Finally, you board a military plane to put yourself in the shoes of a parachutist. Specific visits are planned for children.

Airbus A380 at Aeroscopia

The machine hall

Here's a little bonus: do you like machines, mechanisms, unusual devices? Don't miss a visit to the Halle des Machines in Toulouse. It's a magical place between imagination, legends and goldsmithing that reveals these true mechanical works of art.

Machinery Halls of Toulouse

So, our tour of aeronautical museums is over!

Whether you are passionate, an amateur or just curious, you will surely find what you are looking for to discover, educate yourself and learn lots of anecdotes on the subject.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Toulouse Pyrénées Guide.