Like YC, I started to plan for this trip in April 2011. (Luckily, I don't need to worry about visa problem. Sorry, YC, but I really think the Chinese government lets its citizen down.)

I was in Toulouse many, many years ago, for a workshop that was housed at a university, in the middle of nowhere. I did some outing on weekends, but did not go see the city. This time, I allow myself two weekends, plus two days, to kick back and relax, in addition to attending the workshop on deoxygenation.

When asked a friend about Toulouse, he wrote me the following email. (He spent a summer month working there.)

Re Toulouse - what a wonderful place. Best city to visit in France: it's the only large city in France that preserved the medieval  downtown core, which is still all narrow twisty streets and old  buildings. It is easy to see almost everything on foot from the  center, but almost impossible to drive: a maze of narrow one-way streets, almost no place to park, tons of pedestrians and bicycles  clogging the streets everywhere, many streets blocked off for walking  only.

Definitely DO NOT rent a car there. You don't even need to take buses, just walk - almost everything you want to see is within a km of the Capitole (central square).  Also, the streets and squares are filled with life: cafes, music, performances, markets (especially on Sunday morning), so walking is definitely the way to enjoy it. If it's raining or cold there are plenty of museums, and seems like every other block is another grand cathedral (all open to the public).

If you want to take a side trip, go to Albi (1 hour by train). But there is plenty to do in Toulouse for 2 weekends, easily.

One thing about France: all the hotels are rated by stars and post the sign on the front door. Each star is worth roughly the same amount in a given city, and what you get is very standardized. A 2-star costs 70-90 Euro in Toulouse: it will have stairs or possibly a slow elevator, private bath, TV, usually internet, plain and basic decor but safe.

 

You can count on this everywhere in France. [Three]-star will be a step up: more modernized. Look for a hotel near the Capitole or the Victor Hugo Market (beautiful food every morning but Monday - a must-see), or Place Wilson. One disadvantage of Toulouse is that it is very much a university town with many students. They party late at cafes and there can be noise late into the evening.

Where is the meeting? At LEGOS? That is about 8km from the center in a nowhere suburb - don't stay near there (I doubt if there are any hotels anyway). You can get there by subway plus a 1km walk or bus.  Probably the meeting organizers will figure out how to get you there and back.

If you are considering a hotel, tell me the name and address - I'll tell you if that's a good place to be. Perhaps try the "Ours blanc" (white bear). There are 3 of them right around the V.H. Market.  I've stayed there (2 stars).

 

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