Capitole de Toulouse

The Capitole is the symbolic centre of Toulouse, and Toulouse’s main landmark. Its long pink-brick facade, with white stone columns and a row of tall windows, closes the east side of the Place du Capitole, and behind it lies the seat of local government. The building houses the Hôtel de Ville, the Town Hall, and, in its rear wing, the Théâtre du Capitole, the city's Opera House. The name recalls the capitouls, the magistrates who governed medieval Toulouse and who gave their title to the building long before the current front was completed.

The present facade dates from the middle of the eighteenth century, when it was designed by the architect Guillaume Cammas. It replaced older structures on the site of the city's earlier common house, the maison commune, which goes back to the Middle Ages. A tradition also places the martyrdom of Saint Sernin, the first bishop of Toulouse, somewhere on this square, and his name is carried today by the great Romanesque basilica a short walk to the north. The pink colour comes from the local terracotta bricks that give the whole city its nickname, la ville rose.

For visitors, the interior is the real draw. Inside, they can see a series of ceremonial rooms. The Salle des Illustres, decorated in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century with large paintings by Toulouse artists including Henri Martin, honours the city's famous names and is the highlight of the visit. The grand staircase, galleries and the paved Cour Henri IV complete the circuit. This courtyard is known for its link to the execution of the Duke of Montmorency in 1632, a reminder that the building has seen episodes far from the festivals held outdoors today.

The square in front is a gathering place for the whole city. Its pavement carries a large Occitan cross, a cheerful reminder of the region's old county and language, and cafes spread across the edges in warm weather. Markets, Christmas displays and large public events regularly use the space, and the many arcades on the sides invite lingering. Behind the Capitole, the Donjon, a surviving fortified tower, houses the Tourist Office of Toulouse’s city centre, which offers maps, guided tours and the Pass Tourisme.

Visitors will find the interior is free to enter on most days, which makes it a pleasant stop even for a short visit. Nearby Place du Salin, the Musée des Augustins and the Basilique Saint-Sernin form a natural walking route through the old centre, and in the evening the lit facade is especially photogenic against a dark blue sky.

Visitors should note that entry rules can change for official events.