History of Toulouse

Toulouse is a city of the south of the France located on the river the Garonne since the time of the Neolithic era. Its Histoire is rich and the territory of the city was initially occupied by the Romans then the Visigoths and finally the mérovingiens. At the 12th century, Toulouse is put under the control of a count.

Origin of Toulouse

The surroundings of Toulouse were occupied as of the Paléolithique inferior (approximately -1Ma). Besides the valley of the the Garonne carries traces of this occupation, in particular the site Acheuléen of In Jacca on the commune of Colomiers where lithites were found. But it is only with the Neolithic that one finds traces of occupation in the form of village, as with Villeneuve-Tolosane where one found a grouping of dwellings of twelve hectares, protected by a ditch and a palisade.

Other old traces of occupation dating from the age of iron (in particular and) were detected, along Right Bank of the the Garonne in particular on the site of the old Larrey hospital. One finds in particular on this site the Nécropole of the district Saint-Roch (place of the Carmelite friars, towards the street Fénétra), put at the day in 2002.

However, the origins of the town of Toulouse are badly known. Undoubtedly this is the ford of the Bazacle which supported the installation of the first inhabitants. This version is however disputed by certain historians. A bronze sword however testifies to the presence of men: 2000 years before our era.

Volques-Tectosages of IIer in Ier centuries before J. - C.

The first known civilization was that of the Volques Tectosages, in Toulouse was undoubtedly the principal city of this tribe come from Germany which dominated the south of the France.

Working a fertile ground of the valley of the Garonne and plains of the Lauragais, the Toulouse ones knew shortly after a demographic expansion without preceding. This expansion reached Old woman-Toulouse, city known for its many ancient vestiges, and where some see the true origins of the city. The city did not owe only its prosperity with the Agriculture. When the Roman invasion approached Toulouse, Tectosages had already collected a true treasure by exploiting the gold of the Ariège and the Black Mountains. torque S out of gold, witnesses of this past, are exposed to the Musée Saint-Raymond in Toulouse.

Towards 121 before J.C., the Provincia or Narbonnaise is based by the Romans on the edges of the Mediterranean. They thus control the commercial axis between the Spain and the Italy by the via Domitia . Tectosages located along this way are then treated like allies. The Toulouse people kept 10 years an independence of frontage with respect to the Roman capacity in garrison around Toulouse. In 109 before J. - C., Germanic people, the Teuton S invade Gaulle and beats the Roman army. Tectosages benefit from it to be combined with them and to drive out the Roman garrison. But the victory is of short duration, because the Marius consul triumphs over Teutons and recovers Toulouse. In 104 before J. - C., a revolt against the garrison involves an immediate response of Rome. The city was conquered by treachery and was plundered by Cépion (Quintus Servilius Caepio). According to the legend, 70 tons of gold were concealed by Cépion. No one does not know what became this treasure, known under the name of the “Or of Toulouse”.

Roman occupation of Ier century before J. - C. in IIe century after J. - C.

Few people know that the first trade of Toulouse was that of the wine. The basement however swarms with pieces of amphoras. It is not the wine of the Languedoc which ensured the prosperity of the city, it is that of Italy, conveyed via Narbonne. A good part of the cargoes were consumed on the spot. The Roman garrisons, the Gallic and the citizens Romains, indeed, were particularly assoiffés. The remainder was dispersed towards the Aquitaine and all around Toulouse. Other luxury items followed the way traced by the Roman wine, of the crockery in particular. To have all these richnesses, the province was devoted, in bulk, with the product sales agricultural, and the sale of slaves. The the Garonne is used for goods transport on flat-bottomed barges and the ancestors of the barges downstream from Toulouse. This commercial and agricultural richness made of the most prosperous Toulouse of the Gaulle Narbonnaise.

Now rejoined with the Roman life, Toulouse of the the Seventies before J. - C. was hardly but one advanced military station. Each one finding its account in the peace imposed by the Roman domination, it is without states of hearts that the city refused the Gaulle Vercingétorix. Tolosa knew a demographic strong progression then, reaching 20 000 inhabitants with after J. - C. Theaters, temples, schools and sewers made of Toulouse a modern and flexible city, always in the center of a regional trade.

The Romans arrange the first steps of the future city. It is delimited by the place of Capitole in north, the place of Saline in the south, the Garonne in the west. In years 20-30 after J. - C., a three kilometers long rampart was built in order to underline the prosperity of the new Roman colony. It encircled the city and opened on the the Garonne. Constituted of bricks and hardcores, the Roman rampart measured a 12 m and 2 m height thickness. A section is still visible on the Saint-Jacob place close to the Palais Niel. Then, they set up the axes of principal communications: the cardo and the decumanus cross on the Esquirol place where the Forum is. They build also a theater places Pont-Neuf, a temple on the Esquirol place and a amphitheater in Ancely-Purpan. A network of sewer makes it possible to evacuate water worn while an aqueduct feeds the city out of drinking water since the sources of Lardennes and Mirail to the water tower located Rouaix place.

The Roman city sees its demography with: 15000 inhabitants and his richness to increase. At the cultural level, Toulouse is distinguished in the Roman and Greek world by its school from Greek and Rhétorique. The city is directed by aristocrats out of togas whose names were romanisés and whose members profits from the Roman citizenship.

The 3rd century is marked by the martyrdom of Saturnin saint, future Saint Sernin, which in 250 is trailed by a Taureau in the street of Taur. this event marks the beginning of the Christianisme. Saint Saturnin refusing the Roman worship is condemned to be attached to the bulge of a bull which will trail it until the cord breaks. This history is also at the origin of the name of the district of Matabiau , where the herdsmen killed the famous bull. Two sisters, the holy Puelles occupied themselves to bury the body of Saturnin saint.

Today, few traces or Roman monuments arrived to us. Only an end of rampart is visible Saint-Jacob place close to the Palais Niel and of the remainder of the amphitheater of Purpan are witnesses of this time. That is explained mainly by principal material of the construction Romans which is the brick. Contrary to other Roman cities built out of stone of size, Toulouse was obliged to use the clay of the valley to manufacture bricks for its constructions. However the brick is a material much less resistant than the stone. The many successive rebuildings made leave and on the old Roman buildings. Today, the base of the Roman buildings and the urban developments are hidden under 3 to 5 m of the Toulouse paving stone. Lately, the construction of the Métro of Toulouse made it possible to advance knowledge on the Toulouse antique.

The kingdom of the Visigoths

The end of the 3rd century marks, for Europe, the end of the Roman domination. Relatively protected from the brigands by its ramparts, the town of Toulouse escapes the franque push in 260. Christianity takes foot around the city thanks to the efforts of the bishop Saint Sernin. Buried outside the enclosure, according to the ancient use, the site of the current Saint-Sernin basilica, the reputation of this character makes it possible the first Christian community to be constituted.

Then in fact the Visigoths invade the city in 418. The population will always see evil eye the Germanic presence. The Gallo-Roman S christianized and the Visigoths do not have the same clothes, nor the same habits. The invaders will do without the Roman support quickly to take their independence and will reign until in 507. However, preferring Toulouse in Bordeaux, Goths make of Tolosa the capital of their new kingdom. Known under the name of “kingdom of Toulouse”, the domination extends from the the Loire to Gibraltar. Théodoric II becomes king of the Visigoths and Toulouse in 453. This nomination marks the independence of the kingdom Visigoths and the installation of institutions and royal buildings. Thus, in 1987, the destruction of the old Larrey hospital discovers the old foundations of the royal palace. This new statute will benefit the city a long time. Only the culture will bring closer the Visigoths to the Gallo-Romans.

The Christianisme takes its rise in Toulouse with the bishop Exupère who made build the first Basilique Saint-Sernin into 403. The cathedral Saint-Etienne, the church of the Sea-bream and the church Saint-Pierre-of-Kitchens also leave ground. The city extends always more and of many dwelling houses are built. The brick is largely used as proves it the lime kilns discovered under the Musée Saint-Raymond.

The Gallo-Roman ones remain majority in Toulouse. In 462, with the advent of Euric, the capacity Visigoth is more violent and the king wants to impose the Arianisme. The catholics are persecuted and certain places of dismounted worships. It is as under its reign as the kingdom of the Visigoths is widest, energy of the the Loire to the Durance by including most of the Spain. In 484, Alaric II succeeds his/her Euric father.

Clovis put an end to the invasion arienne in 507, and brought back Toulouse to a lower row. Crossed of Narbonne, the city was declared Aquitanian. Of Christian faith, the Francs will be accommodated better than their predecessors. Those will make city a military city, last rampart against the kingdom of Tolède, new stronghold of the Visigoths, and this until the 7th century.

The creation of the county of Toulouse

As from the 7th century, the history of Toulouse is rather obscure. With the favor of the successions mérovingiennes, the city becomes the capital of an important territory, extending from the the Pyrenees to the Loire, and known under the name of “duchy of Toulouse”. Toulouse also serves as place-strong vis-a-vis the Septimanie in the East held by the Visigoths during the end of the 6th century. In 721, Charles Martel recognizes the independence of this duchy. The duke Eudes pushes back the Arab invader at the time of the head office of Toulouse in 721. From Spain, the army of El-Samah will undergo a demolished cuisante. Less known than that of Poitiers, in 732, this seat would have been determining for the future of France.

The frank king Pépin the Brief put an end to the independence of the duchy in 768. Endangered at the Battle of Roncevaux in 778, Charlemagne decided the creation of the Kingdom of Aquitaine. He entrusted the Comté of Toulouse to Chorson, then with his own cousin Guillaume. They are the two first Toulouse counts. The danger buckwheat made city a strong military place from which left in spring the Carolingian conquerors. The army of Charlemagne will go until Barcelona and the emperor will create a security zone in the south of the Pyrenees, “the walk of Spain”.

Pip Ier, the grandson of Charlemagne, tried to take its independence and amorça the rebuilding of Aquitaine. Charles the Bald person, whose authority was thus ridiculed, decided in 844 the head office of Toulouse and was opposed to Pépin II. He will reiterate his attempt in 849 and will benefit from the treason of the count Frédélon to reconquer the city, and to thus attach Toulouse to the Francia occidentalis. In 862, Toulouse is plundered by the Viking S of the chief Hasting.

The feudal time

End of the Carolingian mark the beginning of the Feudality. During all the the Middle Ages, Toulouse will be directed by its counts.

With the beginning of the millennium, the drifting attitude of the Clergy and the confiscation of the church by the Toulouse capacity involve a degradation of the worship. The church Saint-Sernin, the Basilica of the Sea-bream and the cathedral Saint-Etienne are badly maintained. New religious currents appear, the such reform clunisienne.

The Izarn bishop, supported by the pope Gregoire VII, tried to put good order at all that. He entrusted Sea-bream to the abbots clunisiens in 1077. In Saint-Sernin, it met a strong opposition in the person of the provost Raimond Gayrard, which had just built a hospital for the poor and proposed to build a basilica. Supported by the count Guilhem IV, holy Raymond finally obtained from the pope Urbain II to devote the Saint-Sernin building in 1096, this one going to the council of Clermont-Ferrand to preach the first crusade. The religious quarrels had just awaked the faith of the Toulouse ones. This rebirth was accompanied by a new demographic progression, supported by an agriculture technically more powerful. The city becomes one of largest of Europe at the 12th century.

It is on this occasion that the suburbs of Saint-Michel and Saint-Cyprien were built. The bridge of Sea-bream allowed in 1181 to connect Saint-Cyprien to the doors of the city. The suburbs of Saint-Sernin and Saint-Pierre of the Kitchens also knew a notable expansion. Many craftsmen take possession of the streets and lanes of the Toulouse antique between the street Saint-Rome and the street of the Pharaon. All these streets still bear the name of the trades of the craftsmen: street of the Exchanges, Filatiers or the Cutlers. It is as at that time as the feudal wall is probably built along current the grand boulevards of Strasbourg, Arcole, Lacrosse and Armand Duportal.

The creation of the capitoul

The end of the 11th century marks the departure of the count Raymond IV for the crusades. He dies in 1105 in front of the seat of Tripoli. Toulouse will be besieged several times, with the wire of the wars of succession which were followed from there. In 1119, the Toulouse people hoists Alphonse the Jordan with the capacity comtal. This last will be grateful to him since it will reduce taxes and taxes while raising the Tolte and the Queste. With died of the count in 1147, an administration of 8 capitulary is created under the name of “common council of the City and the suburbs”. It is about the Capitoulat, a typically Toulouse municipal administration. Under the crook of the capacity comtal, it with the responsibility of regulate the exchanges and to make apply the laws. These are the Capitoul S, whose first acts go back to 1152. In 1176, the chapter comprised already 12 members, each one representing a district of Toulouse, or a suburb. The capacity of the consuls was opposed quickly to that of the count Raimond V. the Toulouse ones were divided on the subject, and it is after 10 years of fight, in 1189, that the municipal council obtained the tender of the count.

In 1154, Raymond V of Toulouse wife Constancies, sister of the king de France Louis VII. He pushes back the attacks of king d' Angleterre, Henri II Plantagenêt. In 1190 began construction from the future Capitole, the common house, the seat of the municipal council. Maintaining 24, and probably elected, Capitouls grant the rights of police force, trade, imposition and cause conflicts with the close cities. Toulouse will leave there generally victorious, thus extending the domination of the patria tolosana .

In spite of the intervention of the royal capacity, the administration of Capitouls will make of Toulouse a relatively independent city during nearly 600 years, until the Révolution. For the anecdote, the players of the Stade Toulousain, the local team of Rugby, raise today the colors red and black of Capitouls.

End of the counts de Toulouse at the 13th century

The Catharisme is doctrines come from Bulgaria which professes the separation of the material and spiritual as of the 10th century. She is opposed in that to the orthodoxe confession. The cathares extend gradually in Europe and more precisely in the South of France at the 12th century. Toulouse and Albi becomes two important and durable sites for the cathares from where the name sometimes employed of “Albigensian” to indicate them. Toulouse becomes in 1167 one of the five independent Churches cathares rejecting the catholic power. The catharism and their followers quickly become the target of the Roman Église. They are then condemned like Hérétique S.

Simon de Montfort was one of the lords who had the load to exterminate them at the time of the Croisade against the Albigensians proclaimed in 1209. Toulouse was not saved by the dash cathare. The white orthodoxe pursued the black heretics in the streets of Toulouse. The Foulques bishop benefitted from what the heretics were its creditors to encourage this research. Some Toulouse joined the white crusaders, others brought their assistance to besieged. The consuls did not wish to divide the Toulouse population more and defied the pontifical authority by not designating the heretics. The count Raimond VI, protecting the cathares, stigmatized the Toulouse heresy.

In 1211, the first head office of Toulouse by Simon de Montfort was a failure but two years later, it inflicted with the Toulouse army a terrible defeat with Muret. Under the threat to carry out many hostages, it entered Toulouse in 1216, and appointed count. Simon de Montfort was killed out of a stone in 1218. To the last seat, the crusaders will bitterly be fought by the Toulouse ones. Louis VIII will finally decide to give up in 1219. Raimond VI could liking with Toulouse have preserved its interests, and gave up its last prerogatives with the capitouls. Raymond VII succeeds to him in 1222. But vis-a-vis the new crusade launched by Louis VIII, Raymond VII capitulates and signs the Traité of Meaux-Paris on April 12th, 1229. By this treaty, the Université of Toulouse is created, the second after Paris, with 4 theologists, 2 decretists (canonists) and 2 grammairiens.

In 1233 and 1234, courts of Inquisition are set up by the pope Gregoire IX. The cathares are tracked by the order of the Preaching friars rested by Dominique Guzman and installed in the convent of the Jacobins in the course of construction until in 1340. Repression towards the cathares is accentuated in 1241. In 1249, Alphonse of Poitiers succeeds Raymond VII and manages the city since Paris. The county of very reduced Toulouse since the last crusade is then integrated little by little into the Royaume of France.

In 1271, the king Philippe III Bold the sends the seneshal of Carcassonne to direct the town of Toulouse. The monarchical capacity represented by the royal civils servant and services replaces little by little that of the capitouls which will have nothing any more but one role of management of the city like the law and order or the roadway system. The city quickly will thrive between 1271 and 1370 and becomes the fourth city of the Kingdom with 40.000 inhabitants. In 1309, the death of Pierre Authié marks the end of the Catharisme in Toulouse. The 13th century marks the beginning of the construction of many buildings of Gothic style. Thus, the conventual Ensemble of the Jacobins remains the whole of southernmost Gothic art best preserved of Toulouse. It was built by the preaching friars between 1230 and 1340 and has a convent, a cloister, a capitulary big room and an imposing church whose vaults form high “a 22 meters palm tree”. Several catastrophes punctuate this period: in 1281, the Pont-Vieux collapses under L epoids inhabitants come to attend the immersion of the cross while in 1298, the risings of spring destroy the bridges on the Garonne except the bridge of Sea-bream. Several fires will devastate the downtown area. In 1306, Philippe Beautiful the lance a policy anti-semite and many Jews is persecuted in Toulouse. In 1320, enlightened, “the pastoureaux ones”, persecute with new the Jews and kill some nearly 152.

At the 14th century, Toulouse is in crisis. The Agriculture of the Lauragais does not manage to provide for the needs for the populations and it is necessary imported the Blé of Italy or the Royaume of Aragon. As from 1348, the Peste kill the Toulouse ones which takes refuge in the campaigns. The Guerre One hundred year old does not improve the life of Toulouse because the city must finance the effort of war and to pay the ransom of the king Jean the Good makes captive in 1356 with Poitiers. The Toulouse population then will undergo a strong fall and in 1398, the city does not count any more but: 24000 inhabitants.

The 15th century begin with creation from the Toulouse Parliament by Charles VII. Promising an exemption of taxes, the king reinforces his capacity thus and defies the administration of the Capitoul S. Investie of rights of jurisdiction, the Parliament will gain his political independence thereafter. This century is also the theater of many food shortages. The roads are not sure any more, and Toulouse undergoes a terrible fire in 1463. The dwellings located between the current street Alsace-Lorraine and the the Garonne are decimated. The May 7th 1463 the Large fire of Toulouse, in the medieval city, destroyed the three quarters of the city and ruined several churches, Couvent S and other public edifices. Propagated by a strong wind through the narrow streets, bordered of dwellings to wood sides, it extended its devastations to the town hall. The city knows moreover one new demographic expansion, involving a true housing shortage.

Continuing the textile activity of the city, the trade of the Pastel takes its rise starting from 1463. It is the most prosperous period of the Toulouse history. Its richer representative is Pierre d' Assézat, famous for his remarkable hotel.

In the middle of the 16th century, the Université of Toulouse comprises close to 10 000 students. The humanistic current crosses its walls and the academics are often taken of agitation. The enquiry continues to install many bûchers.

In 1533, the Belle Paule receives François I {{er}}. In 1562, the Protestant reform causes street battles between calvinist S and catholic, and sets fire to it of almost 400 houses.

D' Assézat is expelled, at the same time as begin thirty-two years from civil war. The Protestants are quickly crushed, and since 1563-64, a league is formed by the capitouls and the Parliament to defend Catholicism.

Charles IX passes in the city at the time of royal sound Tour de France (1564 - 1566), accompanied by the Cour and Large by the kingdom: his/her brother the duke of Anjou, Henri de Navarre, cardinal of Bourbon and Lorraine.

The Massacre of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (August 24th, 1572 in Paris) is repeated in Toulouse on October 6th. Whereas 300 Protestants had been put in prison on August 31st, three advisers at the Parliament are condemned for “subversion” for the war of 1562. October 4th, the rumor of secret natures of the king is spread downtown, and in spite of the governor the Viscount of Merry, a riot forces the prison, and half of the Protestant prisoners are massacred.

17th century

The accession with the throne of Henri ⅠⅤ put an end to the Toulouse disorders. The Parliament subjects itself and the edict of Nantes is accepted in 1600. Capitouls lose the last influences which remain to them. In 1622, during a new war of religion, the city is taken by Louis XIII. A plague much more serious than the Fronde will touch Toulouse in 1629 and 1652, making thousands of victims: the Plague.

For the first time, the municipality and the Parliament take together measures to assist the unhappy ones struck by the epidemic. Many the members of the clergy leave the city. Toulouse the easiest also flees, and only the doctors are constrained to remain. The Famine obliges soon some Capitouls which did not give up the city to apply a prohibition of exit to the butchers and the bakers.

The old people's home of the Serious point of disjunction the pestiferous ones in quarantine. The pre one of the Seven Sums of money will accommodate, him also, of many patients under precarious conditions. Before closing its doors, the city becomes a den of beggars attracted by a medical infrastructure which they hope for better than in the countryside. The money misses to nourish all this population, and of the requisitions are ordered. At the worst times of the crisis, the rich person see themselves allotting the responsibility for the poor.

In 1654, when the second epidemic dies out, the city is devastated. The periods of remission will have however been the occasion to carry out two major projects: the Pont-Neuf in 1632 and the Channel of the South in 1682. This disturbed century will end in a last famine, in 1693.

The 17th mark also the arrival of a secret association, Aa ( associatio amicorum ), bringing together members of the clergy and academics, and preaching an exacerbated faith. The influence of this organization will especially be felt at the 18th century.

18th century

It would be difficult to qualify the years which preceded the Revolution. Various current artistic, religious, or architectural traversed the city during the 18th century.

Louis de Mondran is the instigator of a new town planning, probably inspired by his stay in the capital. The principal achievements of this time are the Large Round, the Dillon Course, and the frontage of Capitole.

In 1770, the cardinal Loménie de Brienne poses the first stone of the channel which will bear its name. Finished six years later, the channel finishes connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, the channel of the South to the side channel in the Garonne. The junction point is known under the name of the Bridge-Twins.

The city embourgeoise, impoverishing themselves the most stripped, and enriching the nobility and the clergy. The local architects and the sculptors are put at contribution by the private individuals. Reynerie will be the residence of summer of the husband of the countess of Barry.

Toulouse did not forget its traditional religious enthusiasm, even if the end of the century marks a certain decline. New brotherhoods appear, most famous is that of Penitent blue, officiating with the Saint-Jerome church. The Parliament, infiltrated by Aa (see 17th century), babbit metal the religious life, and condemns the Protestants.

It is in this difficult context that the Affaire bursts Fixed (see Jean Calas). This business shows at which point the Parliament took the direction of the city, since it is him which will pronounce the execution of Jean Calas.

Concerned for his autonomy, the Toulouse people support the Parliament when this one is threatened by monarchy. It is the Parliament of Toulouse which names Capitouls, whose chapter is then tiny room to 8 representatives. It will be necessary a revolution so that the city escapes the influence from the members of Parliament.

End XVIIIe - beginning XIXe

The Révolution modifies the role of the city, like its political structure and social.

The city first of all was spectator of the Parisian movements. The advertisement of the manifestations of the July 14th 1789 has a relative repercussion, punctuated by some plunderings. 5 months later, when the Old mode is abolished, it is differently. The members of Parliament and the capitouls fight to preserve their privileges, they express on September 25th, and are hardly supported by a population which does not recognize any more its last guards.

The regional influence of Toulouse, formerly ensured by its Parliament, is now reduced to dimensions of a department, the Haute-Garonne. The clergy must yield with the civil Constitution imposed by the constituent Assembly, which names a new Toulouse archbishop, to the great displeasure of Loménie de Brienne. Part of the population is hostile with these reforms which injure its old privileges.

The prerogatives of the capitouls are abolished the December 14th 1789. Joseph de Rigaud is the first mayor, he is elected the February 28th 1790.

In 1793, during the Commune, Toulouse refuses to be combined in Provence and Aquitaine to go up on Paris. Then, the prospects for the war against Austria and those of interior resistances involve the Terreur, which eliminates in Toulouse part of refractories to the Révolution.

In August 1799, the strengthened city resists the attack of the royalist insurrectionists, at the time of the first battles of Toulouse. The arrival of Napoleon to the head of the new mode, then of the Empire, restores partially the regional statute of the city. The emperor splits even visit in 1808, in particular entrusting the cloister of Sea-bream to the tobacco factory.

The April 10th 1814, the battles of Toulouse opposes the Hispano-British of the marshal Wellington to the French of the Napoleonean marshal Soult, who, although managing to resist, are constrained to withdraw themselves. The army of the Field-marshal Wellington is accommodated there by a great number of royalists, preparing Toulouse with the Restauration of Louis XVIII. The Rose city was thus the theater of the last Franco-English battle on the French soil.

The industrial era

The construction and the opening of the Matabiau station, in 1856, will mark a turning in the history of Toulouse, the city is from now on connected to the capital and the era new and promising of transport. At this point in time one substitutes the boulevards for the ramparts, which one finishes the place of Capitole and which one decides to bore the large arteries (the such street of Metz and the street of Alsace-Lorraine which draws their denomination from the hostile climate in victorious Prussia of France in 1870 and conquering of Alsace and Lorraine) on the model of the large openings carried out in Paris by the prefect Haussmann. Work upsets the center of Toulouse, which loses its atmosphere Means-âgeuse gradually.

The 20th century, the Toulouse revival

The beginning of the 20th century is marked by important rise of the Toulousaine population. This one is the result of the rural migration of the campaigns of south-west but also of the combination of the successive waves of immigrants leaving the fascistic modes their countries of origin (French of North lasting the First World War, the Italians in the years 1920 with the arrival of Mussolini to the capacity and Spanish to leave 1934 fleeing the pro-Franco mode). The calm income, 25.000 Spanish remained in Toulouse, strongly influencing the Toulousain lifestyle. Today, one still regards it as being Spanish of the French cities. The war 1914-1918 pushes Toulouse (located geographically at the shelter of the enemy attacks) to be industrialized in a more thorough way (big industries was not whereas that of the tobaccos and the powder mill). Thus in 1915, one installs there chemical industries as well as workshops of aviation (Latécoère), and the famous service of the Aéropostale.

In 1963, Toulouse is selected to become one of the eight metropolises of balance of the country. The government being finally decided to break the Macrocephaly of Paris, it will be dedicated to the aeronautical and space activities.

The regional reform places Toulouse like capital of the greatest French area, moreover the economic advancement and industrial of ARIANE and Airbus dopes the population growth of the city, bringing to him an positive aspect of city moving and full rise under southernmost sun bottom.

In addition, Toulouse will accommodate a new wave of immigration the shortly after the Guerre of Algeria evaluated to 25.000 people, pushing the city to be extended to the west towards the suburbs and to build great whole like the famous city of the Mirail, conceived at the time by the best world architects and who was intended to place more than 100.000 people. In parallel, of renovation works are launched in the historical center as well as new transport infrastructures (subway and bus) and the new spaces of parking sometimes rather little integrated in old urban fabric (it is the case of the seven stages of the carpark of the Carmelite friars which are drawn up instead of an elegant metal market going back to 1892)

Toulouse, today

Today, Toulouse is a metropolis with European and world vocation. Its agglomeration is again more important than that Bordeaux. To current growth rate (+15 000 inhabitants per annum), it will enter the circle closed of the French agglomerations of more than one million inhabitant, behind Paris, Lyon and Marseilles, but in front of Lille and Nice. That is already the case of its wide and not very dense urban surface.

Toulouse remains despite everything still weakened by its relative distance with Paris (5H10 in the train and more than six hours in the car) and to the other European cities. This situation is accentuated by the lack of connection TGV that the current projects promise as soon as possible for 2016. Very many Aquitanian elected officials oppose this line to the project of a line at High speed bound for Spain via the Basque Country. A considerable part of flows of travellers forward by the airport of Toulouse-Blagnac remains by far first airport of all the great French south-west and 4th of province, pursuing Marseilles-Provence, with approximately 6 million passengers for 2006.

The city is not today any more only the symbol of the consortium Airbus even if this last does not cease extending its industrial facilities (new site aeroconstellation for the construction of the A380). Toulouse takes now the form of a concentration technopolitaine of European size which tries to compensate for the risks related to a too strong industrial monoculture by developing specializations however already present such as space industry for which the city will accommodate the seat of the European program Galileo or sciences of alive with European ambitions nourished through the realization of the future cancéropôle on the site of AZF.

French arts center of foreground, Toulouse has a viver very important student which would make of it the first coed city of province, titrates that Lille disputes to him, but especially Lyon. New cultural equipment was launched since the years 1990 such as the center of Pierre-Baudis congress, the National theater of Toulouse (TNT), the Slaughter-houses, the city of Space, the Zenith and more recently the large José-Cabanis media library.

Thus profiting from a high rate of notoriety and especially from a particularly positive image, the pink city does not cease attracting new inhabitants (more strong positive migratory balance of France), only it is for its framework of life (regularly devoted in the prize lists of the national press) or for its economy in full rise.

Revealing of this tendency, Toulouse was the only French city to appear in a prize list established by the American magazine Newsweek (dated July 3rd, 2006) introducing to the ten current metropolises more the avant-gardists of planet. The city was placed thus in the fourth place, just between London and Nanchang (China).

To go further

Internal bonds

Toulouse
Capitoul
Count de Toulouse

External bonds

History of Toulouse, on the site of the town hall of Toulouse.
printing works in Toulouse: history of printing works and the edition in Toulouse.
Palladia-Tolosa.net: history of Toulouse during Antiquity, the Celts to the Visigoths.

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