Welcome to my definitive guide to house sitting in Toulouse. France’s 4th largest city is a fantastic location to find house sitting opportunities. In this article, I will give you all the information you need to find, secure, and thoroughly enjoy a house sitting exchange in Toulouse.
Hannah and I spent 3 glorious months in the Autumn of 2023 all around the South of France. We secured 3 house sits during this time including a 6-week sit in Toulouse. It was our first time in the ‘Pink City’ and we absolutely loved it.
Let’s get cracking with the definitive house sitter’s guide to Toulouse!
Why Everyone Should Visit Toulouse
Toulouse is a strikingly beautiful place to visit. Grand and elaborate buildings crop up at every turn. The banks of the River Garonne offer incredible scenic vistas with many cute cafes and wine bars utilizing such terrific scenic opportunities.
The city is home to no less than 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites. This includes the impressive Canal du Midi – considered one of the greatest construction works of the 17th Century. Just walking around the city, you will stumble across huge plazas lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars, all of which have an endearing charm and appeal.
Toulouse is a shopping paradise. There’s everything from small independent boutiques to huge fashion houses and street markets selling all varieties of wares. This mixes perfectly with an electric nightlife scene. Many cute alleyways and huge squares are filled with drinking spots for all preferences.
A short train journey into the countryside brings you to some of the most remarkable countryside I have ever seen. Rolling green hills that correctly give rural Toulouse the moniker ‘The Tuscany of France’ lead to the awesome sight of the Alps on the horizon.
What to Expect in Toulouse
Toulouse offers an incredible slice of true French culture. Expect bustling streets, high-energy markets, and jovial locals and tourists enjoying their coffee or wine (depending on the time of day!). Known as ‘The Pink City’ because of the pinkish terracotta tiling on much of the city’s structures, Toulouse offers a consistent warming glow.
Toulouse has temperatures that can cook the city during the summer but winters that generally stay above freezing. The winter sun can leave Toulouse feeling like summer. In fact, during our stay in November, I regularly went around the city in just shorts and a T-shirt.
The busy marketplaces and heavily populated tourist areas can be overwhelming at times of the year. Although it is considered a safe place to visit, practicing general safety precautions and being smart about your personal belongings is advisable.
House Sitting in Toulouse
France is a great place for securing house sits and Toulouse being one of the country’s biggest cities has ample opportunities to do so. With the ever-increasing cost of hotels and apartments, let’s get into why using house sitting for your accommodation is a viable and logical choice.
My Experience of House Sitting in Toulouse
Our decision to head to France came about because of a house sitting opportunity that arose in Toulouse. We saw a beautiful listing just outside of the city in the rolling countryside village of Cologne and knew we had to apply. The house sit came with 2 dogs, 2 cats, chickens, and chicks, and a parrot called Vinny (yes, she did talk!).
All the pets kept us thoroughly entertained, Fritz is one of the largest dogs we’ve ever cared for but he was such a softy. Otis just loved to play fetch and the cats both performed circus tricks walking along the 30ft high beams of the house, scaring me to death when they did so. I enjoyed collecting wood and filling the huge fireplace every day to keep the house warm.
After securing this 6-week sit, we subsequently built a 3-month stay around it. This included 2 further house sits close by. All three house sits included cars, which allowed us to enjoy the region fully.
Having spent the best part of the previous 2 years in the USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica it was a great opportunity to reconnect with some family and friends from the UK. We had three sets of visitors across our time in France most of whom stayed with us in Toulouse, the hosts insisting that we invite whoever, whenever!
House Sitting Opportunities in Toulouse
Across various house sitting platforms dozens of active users regularly list their properties. This varies from small city apartments to huge estates in the countryside. If you’re open to extending your location a little further, additional opportunities are available, and with Toulouse’s great train network, the city is still within easy reach.
The majority of house sitting opportunities are to be found on Trusted Housesitters. Read all about the world’s top house sitting website in my previous article – Everything You Need to Know About Trusted Housesitters.
Although the number of listings in France is less than in some UK or US cities, many opportunities exist, as my recent experience can attest to. Mind My House and Nomador are great secondary house sitting websites worth checking out. Both have thousands of regular users listing properties all over the world.
How to Secure a House Sit in Toulouse
Start browsing Trusted Housesitters by signing up for a free membership. It takes seconds, click here.
You’ll need to be a paying member of a house sitting website to accept house sitting placements in Toulouse. A Trusted Housesitters membership starts at $129/year which is certainly cheaper than even 2 nights in a moderate Toulouse hotel or apartment but use code BEACHES25 and click here to save 25% on any membership. Mind My House is just $29/year.
Use the search filters to identify sits around the dates and exact locations you are looking to visit. If nothing is currently available be sure to favorite any properties you like the look of and save your searches. With certain THS membership bands, the app will alert you at the exact moment a house sit matching your preferences comes online.
Applying for a House Sit
Ensure your profile is fully verified and filled with relevant character references, personal information, and photos. Remember this is your shop window in which to showcase why you should be the selected house sitter.
Always write a personalized application for every house sit. Don’t be tempted to send a generic message to lots of different hosts hoping to see if something comes back. Hosts can spot this a mile away and I’m told this usually results in an instant rejection.
Taking the time to read the listing carefully, and referencing any important factors in your application will make you stand out from the crowd. Be open to further discussion and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember house sitting is a two-way street, so if you have any concerns address them head-on.
Being Offered and Accepting a House Sit
If you’ve followed this definitive guide to securing house sits in Toulouse, then you should be in the running for the listing. Some hosts act quickly and can accept you within hours, some can take forever to decide. Be patient and allow a fair amount of time before chasing to see if they’re still interested.
If you’ve been successful the host will send the official invite through the Trusted Housesitters platform. This confirms the date and offers cancelation benefits for members with premier memberships. Read Hannah’s previous article – 5 Things We Wish We’d Known About House Sitting, to read all about the benefits of paying a little more for a higher-tier membership.
If you haven’t already, open up communication via Whatsapp with the host and stay in touch about the approaching start date. Communicate any travel plans for both before and after the sit to ensure a smooth handover and handback of the property. Then get excited for your Toulouse house sit to begin!
Best Bars in Toulouse
Where to begin? I came across so many great bars in Toulouse but here are a couple of really great ones I found that are worth a special mention.
Best Bars in Toulouse
- Cafe Des Artistes. Situated almost on the banks of the Garonne and with great views of the amazing Pont Neuf Bridge, Cafe Des Artistes is the perfect option on a sunny day. It has a spacey patio out front and a cozy traditional cafe feel inside. Drinks are reasonable too given the excellent location by the river.
- Thirsty Monk. A true Irish bar with a welcoming and friendly vibe. Locals and tourists alike flock to the Thirsty Monk. It’s a choice spot for live bands, live sports, and a wide range of international drink options. We enjoyed many great nights here.
- Le 5 Wine Bar. Lovers of wine need to head to Le 5 Wine Bar. Advertised as the best wine bar in the world they have an ingenious pour-your-own wine policy. The automated system is a great way to work your way through plenty of different French wines. It’s also a wonderful setting to spend a few hours.
Best Places to Eat in Toulouse
The French are famous for their exceptional cuisine and Toulouse doesn’t let the side down. Again, I could list dozens but here are a few of my favorite places.
Top Places to Eat in Toulouse
- Le Miroir. Serving delicious French cuisine and a menu of international dishes, Le Miroir is ideally located in the vibrant Place St Georges. The area is lined with eateries and is alive with people. It’s a great spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch amongst the throngs of people passing by.
- La Bibent. Located in the heart of Toulouse at Place du Capitole, La Bibent is a must-visit for any true foodies. This historic brasserie, with its opulent interior, offers a dining experience that is as visually stunning as it is delicious. The menu features a blend of traditional French cuisine with modern twists, showcasing local ingredients and regional specialties.
- L’Entrecote. Situated on Boulevard de Strasbourg, L’Entrecote is a culinary institution in Toulouse known for its unique and focused menu. This restaurant has mastered the art of simplicity, offering a single main dish: steak frites. You’ll be treated to succulent, perfectly cooked sirloin steak, topped with a secret house-made sauce. It’s absolutely fantastic!
Best Things to Do in Toulouse
There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Toulouse. Here are a few of the most memorable things I enjoyed while in Toulouse.
Top Things to Do in Toulouse
- Visit the Capitole de Toulouse. The Capitole de Toulouse, an architectural marvel, is the city’s iconic town hall and theatre. Visitors can admire its stunning design, explore the grand ceremonial rooms adorned with beautiful artworks, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the surrounding square, which often hosts markets and events. We were there during the Christmas market and it was incredible.
- Explore the Basilica of Saint-Sernin. A UNESCO World Heritage site, The Basilica of Saint-Sernin is one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe. Its impressive architecture, intricate sculptures, and serene ambiance make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts, admirers of fantastic architecture, and those seeking spiritual tranquility.
- The Victor Hugo Market. Experiencing the Victor Hugo Market is a culinary experience and a true immersion into Toulouse’s amazing food culture. This popular indoor market offers a feast for the senses with its array of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and seafood. There are also numerous tiny micro pubs, wine bars, and coffee stalls for refueling!
- The Jardin Japonais. Offering a serene escape from the city with its meticulously designed Japanese landscapes, visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the Jardin Japonais, complete with traditional bridges, koi ponds, and carefully arranged plants that create a harmonious atmosphere.
Conclusion
I hope my definitive guide to house sitting in Toulouse has given you some inspiration to choose it as your next house sitting destination.
I really enjoyed our time in the South of France and Toulouse was a real highlight. Walking amongst the beautiful city streets, stopping in endless cafes and wine bars when the urge took us, and taking in the vibrance of the busy city is something I’ll never forget.
Happy hunting with those Toulouse house sits and don’t be afraid to get in touch if you have any questions.
*Owners consent given to show property and pets