Share the article
Last updated
Amid Europe’s rail travel renaissance, there seems to be no limit to how far and wide these new rail lines will reach, and if you’re planning on traveling from France to Spain next year, or vice versa, we’ve got some pretty exciting news for you:
From April 2025, you can travel without transfers from Barcelona, the bustling capital of Spain’s autonomous region of Catalonia, all the way to Toulouse, the pink city of Franceevery day until mid-September at the earliest.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the long-awaited train launch between two of the most beautiful cities in Southern Europe:
Start in Barcelona: the beating heart of Catalonia
Barcelona needs no introduction for most:
Located on the clear blue Mediterranean Sea, it is dominated by the still-under-construction Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece expected to be completed sometime in the next two to three years. The ultimate city trip from Southern Europe:
Are you a history buff? A stroll through Barcelona’s medieval Gothic Quarter or a quick stroll through its many art galleries will give you the culture you are looking for.
Do you like the beach and more relaxed environments? La Barceloneta has the surf scene, golden sandy beaches and quirky oceanfront bars you might be looking for.
Looking for unique activities? Whether it’s enjoying a picnic in Montjuic with breathtaking viewsor finding refuge in the shame-free nudist resort of Platja de San Sebastià, Barcelona’s tourist offering is truly limitless.
What about Toulouse, on the other end of the line?
Discover France’s pink city just 3.30 hours from Barcelona
Toulouse is often considered one of the most ‘Spanish’ cities in France, with its Iberian roots running deep, whether it’s its Catalan-inspired cuisine or its historical ties – after all, it’s an easy 2-hour drive from the nearest border crossing.
Yet somehow there had never been a train service connecting Toulouse, one of the largest cities in southwestern France and a world-class cultural destination, with the bustling Mediterranean hub of Barcelona, Spain.
Traveling from Barcelona the journey would often involve changing trains or buses in Perpignan, an arduous 6h11, but not anymore: once Renfe’s high-speed AVE service to Toulouse launches in April, that distance will be essentially halved to 3:30 am.
The exact timetable has yet to be announced, but we already know that this will be a daily service, initially seasonal, running from April to September 2025, and may be extended, in Renfe’s own words.
What makes Toulouse special?
Toulouse is one of France’s most underrated cities and boasts a… virtually intact medieval center which has hardly been seen over the centuries, and which retains many of its original terracotta brick buildings, which give the cityscape its unique ‘pink’ appearance.
LaVille Rose also competes with Paris with its wide architecture: from the Middle Ages Donjon du Capitolefrom an old keep that now houses a museum, to the Renaissance hotel of Assézat to a neoclassical town hall, it is surprisingly diverse when it comes to cultural influences.
The River Garonne, which runs through the heart of the city, is spanned by a stone bridge and connected to the Canal du Midi, a 17th-century feat of engineering that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. You can even travel the entire length by boat from only $29!
The local basilica, Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse, is a popular pilgrimage site for devout Christians thanks to its 128 relics of saints, as well as a thorn said to have been plucked from the crown of thorns, and furthermore, it is a UNESCO protected monument!
Around Place Charles de Gaulle, in the heart of the city, are cozy, simple cafes where you can enjoy baked croissants and freshly squeezed orange juice or coffee for less than $5 – if we can choose a favorite, Florian’s coffee is where you need to go.
Toulouse is one of the most Spanish cities in France, remember?
If you’re wondering how deep those ties go, look no further than the local restaurants and their French-Iberian menus: paella or bouef bourguignon, escargot or garlic prawns, cheese platters or cured ham for tapas, you will find the best of both worlds here.
Last but not least, it is much safer than its French competitors Numbeo reporting of crime in Toulouse remains ‘moderate’, while in Paris, Marseille and other larger urban centers it is ‘high’.
Visit other incredible destinations on the route to Toulouse
In addition to Barcelona and Toulouse, the new AVE train will stop at the following destinations in Spain and France:
- Gironaa beautiful old city known for its well-preserved city walls and Game of Thrones film locations
- Figueresa lively city in the Catalan hinterland, famous for the birth of the legendary Spanish artist Salvador Dali
- Perpignana city in France with a high concentration of historical sites, especially the 14th-century Palace of the Kings of Mallorca
- Carcassonnea storybook French citadel, where ramparts and bastions guard the entrance to a cobbled medieval center
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
