WHAT TO VISIT IN WINTER IN TOULOUSE AND THE PYRENEES?

Dear Friends of Guide Toulouse-Pyrénées! Auriane your blogger here! Winter is coming but several tourist sites are still open and are ready to warmly welcome you.

Find listed below my suggested plans and addresses for you to prepare weekends with your family, friends or partner. I have listed all the tourist attractions that are open from November to February.

It is another way to discover the heritage of our beautiful region, with a different season and colours! Trees with orange leaves, low-angled light at the sunset and maybe…some snowflakes! The holidays are on the way; you can return with a souvenir, either gourmet, cultural or artistic, that you can place under the Christmas tree!

Each site displays the opening times and a weblink to my articles! I hope that after reading this, the Haute-Garonne, Ariège and Hautes-Pyrénées will have no more secrets for you! Happy reading and have great weekends to come!

TOULOUSE:

• Memorial Museum of de Portet-sur-Garonne: Discover the life in Portet-sur-Garonne. It is open on Wednesday 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm; on Saturday from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm. Guided visits every Friday 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm.

• Pastel Museum: Discover the blue gold. It is open on Monday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, on Tuesday and Saturday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm.

Les Abattoirs: All the forms of Contemporary Art. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm. Guided tours take place at 2.30pm.

• Let’s Visit Airbus: Be in the heart of the aeronautical industry! During the academic holidays, tours are available with prior booking only from Monday to Saturday and outside the academic holidays, are available with prior booking only on Wednesday and Saturday.

• Aéroscopia Museum: Discover the aeronautical world! It is open during the academic holidays of the C Zone from 9.30am to 7pm and outside the academic holidays from 9.30am to 6pm. Closed from Monday 8th January to 12th January.

• Clément Ader Museum: Discover the history of the town and its famous 13th century battle and discover the great characters who made history. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 2pm to 5.30pm.

• Toulouse Medicine History Museum: Discover the medical history of Toulouse. Open every Thursday and Friday from 11am to 5pm.

• Augustins Museum: Art exhibits and archaeological vestiges. It is open from Wednesday to Monday, 10am to 6pm with late opening on Wednesday evening until 9pm.

• Transports and Communications Museum: Discover the various means of transportation. It is open every Thursday from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.

• Ancient Tools Museum: Open every Saturday afternoon from 2pm to 6pm.

• Canal du Midi Museum and Gardens: Discover the museum of this key venue of the town. It is open during the weekends and during the holidays from 2pm to 5pm and 1pm to 5pm from February. The site is closed in January.

• Geaoges Labit Museum: Various collections are exhibited. It is open every day except on Monday and bank holidays from 10am to 5pm.

• Saint-Raymond Museum: Discover the many antiquities of Toulouse thanks to this museum. It is open everyday from 10am to 6pm.

• Toulouse Natural History Museum: Discover the many exhibitions including the common theme and science. An educational and instructive place, learn while having fun. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

• Cité de l’Espace: Journey into the heart of the stars and the universe thanks to the Cité de l’Espace. It is open all year, from 10am to 5pm until the Christmas holidays and then from 10am to 6pm during the holidays until the 7th January. It is then closed for one month.

• Zoo African Safari: Discover the unique fauna from Africa. It is open every day, all year from 10am to 6pm.

the COMMINGES:

• Grand Hôtel and Train à Crémaillère Museum: It is open on Monday and Wednesday from 9am to 12pm and Friday from 4pm to 6pm.

• Pays de Luchon Museum: Discover many exhibitions presenting the history of Comminges. Open every day except on Tuesday, from 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 6pm.

the ARIÈGE:

• Count of Foix Castle: Military Fortress then residence of the Counts of Foix, this imposing castle now houses the Ariège Departmental Museum. The castle is open all year, from 10.30am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm (in November and December) and until 5.30pm from January to March. Closed on Tuesdays (outside academic holidays)

• Montségur Castle: Famous Cathar site, visit this emblematic castle from the Middle Ages. It is open every day from 11am to 4pm, except in case of weather. Closed during January and reopens on 1st February.

• Bédeilhac Cave: An ornamented cave with beautiful concretions, paintings and engravings. It is open until the 24th December, visit at 10am on Saturday and Sunday.

• Niaux Cave: Famous for its paintings, the Grotte de Niaux will amaze you. It is open all year, the opening times vary depending on the days. Check the planning HERE.

• Resistance and Deportation Historic Centre: Discover the history of WW2 in Ariège. The site is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5.30pm and on Saturday during Christmas holidays from 10am to 12pm.

• Niaux Spinning: Discover the steps of the transformation of the wool into clothes. It is open every Tuesday at 4pm for a visit.

• Pierre Bayle House: Discover the universe of the philosopher. It is open on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.

• The Reptiles Farm: Admire beautiful reptiles and discover new species. It is open from 2pm to 6pm every weekend, bank holidays and academic holidays. The site is closed in January.

• The Domaine des Oiseaux: Discover the fascinating world of these little creatures enchanting our daily life site is open from 3pm to 5pm on Wednesday and from 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 5.30pm on Sunday.

LOURDES AND THE VALLÉES DES GAVES:

• Abbal Museum: Discover the many Art collections. It is open from 3pm to 6pm, only the weekends.

• Pyrenees Tropical Aquarium: Discover the underwater world and its inhabitants. It is open from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm, every day.

the HAUTE-BIGORRE:

• Esparros Cave: Go to the centre of the Earth and its wonders. It is open from the Christmas holidays, every day from 10am to 12pm and from 13.30pm to 5pm. In January, the site welcomes you every Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm then in February and March every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm and from 13.30pm to 5.30pm and every Wednesday afternoon from 13.30pm to 5.30pm.

• Marble Museum: Discover a superb collection of marble stone. It is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. (Outside the academic holidays).

NESTES VALLEYS:

• Nestes Castle: Find a beautiful example of the fortifications of this valley from across the centuries. It is open until the 31st December, from 9.30am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm.

• La Maison de l’Ours (The Bear’s House): Meet Bingo and discover his world. It is open every day from 9am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm.

• Pyrenean National Park House: Discover the flora and the fauna of the Pyrenees. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, check the opening times directly with them.

• Pastoralism Pyrenean House: Discover the mountain universe. It is open all year, from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm.

FROM TARBES TO THE PLATEAU OF LANNEMEZAN:

• Mauvezin Castle: Visit this beautiful fortress of the Hautes-Pyrénées. It is open from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, every day. It is open from 11am during the Christmas holidays.

• Marshal Foch native’s house: Discover the life of this famous marshal. It is open from Wednesday to Monday from 9.30am to 12.15pm and 2pm to 5.15pm.

• Massey Museum: Many exhibitions are waiting for you! It is open every day from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm, except on Tuesday.

ALONG THE ADOUR RIVER:

• Maubourguet Archaeological Museum: Discover the archaeological objects found in the area. The museum is open from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm, as well as Sunday from 10am to 12pm.

mountain roads:

• Wood and Marquetry Museum: Discover the wood and all the various possibilities of creations. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm as well as all the first Sunday of the month from 2pm to 6pm.

SITES open only during the christmas holidays

• Lombrives Cave: The underground network located in the heart of the Pyrenees, it is open during the academic holidays with two tours per day: 10.30pm and 3pm.