Toulouse has a worldwide reputation as the capital of aeronautics and space, hosting the headquarters of the Airbus Group, Airbus Defence & Space and Thalès Alénia Space. These two sectors alone represent almost 100,000 employees. What’s more, the so-called ‘pink city’ is one of the European leaders in research into intelligent transport – Hyperloop TT, autonomous shuttles, flying taxis, autonomous metros, artificial intelligence and New Space.
With a wealth of experience, Toulouse was a finalist in the European Capital of Innovation Award in 2018 and laureate of the 2017 Urban Innovative Actions call with the COMMUTE project, reducing car use through experimentation on travel and work practices. The city also has a spirit of partnership with its economic players through a network of more than 200 start-ups, a French Tech label and 163 R&D centres. It is home to the Campus Santé Futur Oncopole, dedicated to research and innovation in oncology, health and medicine of the future, and to the digital industry, with 3,000 companies and 42,000 jobs. The city is the leading regional employer in the agronomic sector, 80,000 jobs, making it a leading competitive cluster. It is also is the 3rd largest university in France, excluding Paris, representing 130,000 students, of which 15,000 are foreign students.
Toulouse is a leading city in terms of scientific culture. One million people per year visit the Quai des Savoirs, the City of Space and the Envol des pionniers. To develop culture as close as possible to the districts, the city is preparing to both convert a wing of the former Saint-Michel prison into an auditorium for the National Orchestra of the Capitole and to develop a City of Dance. As a major centre for gastronomy and festivities, Toulouse will also be endowed over the next six years with a festival of good living and sustainable food.
Modern and cosmopolitan, the city is easily visited on foot, by bike or by boat. The river Garonne is appreciated for its exceptional setting and the city counts 161 parks and gardens. Invested in the preservation of its environment, Toulouse is laureate of the European LIFE Programme in 2018 with the creation of a green lung on the island of Ramier named Life Green Heart. This project aims to combat heat islands in an urban environment with 10 hectares of green spaces.
