Toulouse’s parks, from the Garonne to the Japanese garden
In Toulouse, you get some air on the banks of the Garonne, in the shade of the big trees of the Grand-Rond or along the Canal du Midi. These gardens are free to enter and nearly all of them are a few metro stops from the centre.
Jardin des Plantes
The classic family day out, with its play area, merry-go-round, pond and around a hundred botanical species. Footbridges link it to the Jardin du Grand-Rond and the Jardin Royal, so you can do three gardens in one go. The Muséum is right next door for rainy days. Dogs are not allowed.
56 rue Alfred Duméril, 31400 Toulouse
Grand-Rond and Jardin Royal
Two historic Second Empire gardens, linked by a footbridge and listed as a “Jardin remarquable”. You’ll find Himalayan cedars, a Virginia tulip tree, a plane tree of outsized proportions, and fountains and statues set among round flower beds. A shady break a few steps from Carmes metro station.
Square Boulingrin, 31000 Toulouse
Jardin japonais Pierre-Baudis
In the Jardin Compans-Caffarelli, a Japanese garden inspired by the Katsura villa in Kyoto: a red bridge, a pond, a sea of sand, rocks, cloud-pruned trees and cherry blossom in spring. Voices drop here without anyone having to ask. Around it, the 7-hectare park offers lawns, play areas and picnic tables beside a large ornamental lake.
9 boulevard Lascrosses, 31000 Toulouse
Prairie des Filtres
A big lawn on the banks of the Garonne, between the Pont-Neuf and the Pont Saint-Michel, facing the Tounis quays and their pink brick walls. Locals come here to picnic, go for a run or watch the evening sun turn the far bank golden. It also hosts concerts and festivals. Play area for children, free to enter.
Cours Dillon, 31000 Toulouse
Jardin Raymond VI
On the left bank, against the brick walls of Les Abattoirs, a garden with a viewing terrace over the Garonne and one of the finest views of the monuments on the right bank. Wide lawns, a play area, a vintage merry-go-round and a small medicinal plant garden. From here, the Passerelle Viguerie runs along the façade of the Hôtel-Dieu above the river.
Allées Charles-de-Fitte, 31300 Toulouse
Parc de la Maourine
The big park of the Borderouge district: 14 hectares and 12 km of little paths through heathland, marsh, garrigue scrub and a box-hedge maze. Along the way you’ll pass a 150-year-old Chilean palm, an orchard and flower meadows. Perfect for a long walk with children who need to run off some energy, near Borderouge metro station.
Rue Edouard Pailleron, 31200 Toulouse
The Canal du Midi
A Unesco World Heritage Site, the Canal du Midi runs through the city and makes for a long walk or bike ride along its banks. Port Saint-Sauveur, Toulouse’s old merchant port with its restored buildings, is a good place to start. Take a look at the pleasure boats at their moorings, then follow the water as far as your legs will take you.
7 Port Saint-Sauveur, 31000 Toulouse
Coming up here: Le canal du Midi en Gabare (28 November to 12 December)
Updated 10 November 2026.