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Square · Toulouse, Occitânia
Place du Capitole
The central square of Toulouse, facing the brick-and-stone façade of the Capitole, with the Occitan cross drawn on the paving and cafés around it.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Place du Capitole
The Place du Capitole is Toulouse's meeting point. The east side is occupied by the Capitole's façade, the city hall, and the other three sides were built in a neoclassical style between 1809 and 1852, with arcades, cafés and restaurants on the ground floor.
In the centre of the paving there is a large Occitan cross, the twelve‑pointed cross that was the emblem of the counts of Toulouse and of the former province of Languedoc, with the signs of the zodiac around it. It is the motif that appears on flags and souvenirs of the city.
The square was opened gradually from the beginning of the 18th century, when the capitouls, the consuls who governed the city, wanted to give the municipal building a fitting façade. Over its history it has hosted markets, celebrations and, during the French Revolution, the guillotine.
Today it is a pedestrian area and the natural starting point to explore the centre: Saint-Sernin is a few minutes to the north, the Couvent des Jacobins to the west and the Rue d'Alsace-Lorraine, a shopping street, immediately to the east.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
15 to 30 minutes just for the square; longer if you sit at a café.
Best time
Early morning, with fewer people, to photograph the façade. In the late afternoon the light warms the brick and the cafés' balconies fill up.
How to get there
Capitole station on metro line A, which is under the square. On foot it's about 15 to 20 minutes from Gare Matabiau.
Tip
A lot happens in the square throughout the year, from markets to concerts. If you encounter a stage being set up or booths, the Capitole's façade remains visible and the visit inside can proceed as normal; check at reception.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Place du Capitole
What is the cross drawn on the ground?
It is the Occitan cross, with twelve points, the symbol of the former counts of Toulouse and of the province of Languedoc. Around it are the signs of the zodiac.
Is the square open to cars?
No. It's a pedestrian area, accessible by metro (Capitole station) and via the central streets.
Is it worth having coffee in the square?
It's the most central place in the city and has terraces overlooking the Capitole. Prices are usually higher than on the nearby streets; check the menu before sitting down.