Toulouse

Toulouse is a cathedral city located on the river Garonne in the Occitanie Region of southern France.
The nearby Oppidum of the Volcae Tectosages Gallic Tribe was rebuilt on the river and became known to the Romans as Tolosa in the Province of Gallia Narbonensis.

Toulouse Roman Amphitheatre
- The Ruins of the Amphitheatre and Baths are located in a Park at Purpan. It is only open on Sundays 2-6pm.
Place Saint-Jacques
- The base of the eastern Roman city wall and tower are located in the Place Saint-Jacques.

Toulouse Archeological Museum
- Also known as the Museum of St. Raymond, it is located beside the Basilica of St. Sernin.
- Amongst other Roman artefacts, the Museum holds an unusually large collection of Emperors’ busts from the Roman villa at Chiragan, at Martres-Tolosan, 40 miles (60km) south of Toulouse, covering a period of three centuries. This suggests that the Villa was possibly an Imperial property until the the fourth century CE.
- Also on display, from the same villa, a series of carved stone reliefs of the Twelve Labours of Hercules
- There is a collection of Roman Mosaics featuring the Sea God Oceanus from the Roman Villa at St. Rustica.

The old City in the hills was relocated by the Romans to it’s present position on the river Garonne between 10-30 CE.
Unusually, Augustus, gave the city its walls when it was founded. This was to reflect the city’s high status, despite there being no obvious military need.
The area of the massive Temple, Forum and Theatre of Tolosa, was excavated in the Place de L’Esquirol, whilst building a new car park.

St Saturnin, was the first Bishop of Toulouse. He is mentioned in the Acts of Saturninus, quoted by Gregory of Tours. This would date him to the first century CE, and places him amongst the 72 Disciples of Christ. He was apparently appointed Bishop of Toulouse by St. Peter.
But the pagan priests of Toulouse finally martyred him by being dragged through the streets by a bull. Today’s railway station is called Matabiau (‘killing’ and ‘bull’) which is the place where the bull finally stopped.

This is the church of the former Abbey of St. Sernin, which was built on the site of the 4th century CE Basilica which held the remains of St. Sernin, and was a centre of Pilgrimage.

Place Saint-Jacques, Toulouse