Situated in the heart of southwest France and about 100 miles (180 kilometers) from the Spanish border is the charming city of Toulouse, France. Known as La Ville Rose or the Pink City because many buildings and dwellings were built with pretty terracotta-hued bricks, Toulouse is nestled between the sparkling Garonne River and the inviting Canal du Midi. These two city features make a memorable backdrop to an already alluring town. Enhancing Toulouse further is the fabulous Couvent Des Jacobins. A treasure of medieval architecture, this Dominican monastery was erected in 1229 and features a beautiful 13th-century Southern Gothic design. To ensure your visit is satisfying, we’ve put together a guide to Couvent Des Jacobins, Toulouse.
Highlights
Palm Tree
A behemoth of excellent brickwork, Couvent Des Jacobins’ somber exterior is in direct contrast to its captivating interior, which is awash in architectural brilliance. Step inside and marvel at the splendid luminosity of the stained glass, then look up to see the true highlight: a gorgeous ribbed vault known as the Palm Tree. Situated above the altar, this stupendous stone palm tree will make your jaw drop with its fanciful appearance that includes 22 delicate and intricate leaf veins.
Saint Thomas Aquinas burial
One of the oldest structures in France, Couvent Des Jacobins houses the compelling remains of religious figure Saint Thomas Aquinas. Situated beneath the church’s altar are the relics of this revered Dominican friar - making this an important place of pilgrimage for many.
Saint Antonin Chapel
Boasting amazing 14th-century ceiling frescoes, make sure you stop by Saint Antonin Chapel. You’ll see incomparable artwork of mesmerizing apocalyptic scenes that are difficult to forget.
Cloister
Proudly displaying beautiful and elegant burnished-brick columns, the Cloister surrounds a maze-like courtyard that’s an ideal spot for quiet reflection in a tranquil setting. The Cloister at times hosts a wide variety of events such as interesting exhibitions, melodic concerts, and fun festivals.
Chapter Hall
Pay a visit to the fabulous 14th-century Chapter Hall. With a towering domed ceiling, even a whisper in this extraordinary space becomes an echo. The area’s structure is basic - just two slender columns of gray marble supporting six spans - but the result is impressive. Two big windows frame the arched doorway. A key focus of the Chapter Hall is a haloed lamb and stark grisaille - or gray monochrome - portraits of celebrated Dominican saints that adorn the walls.
Travelers tips
Wheelchair accessibility
Couvent Des Jacobins is accessible to persons with limited mobility.
Pass Tourisme
The Pass Tourisme allows travelers the chance to enjoy great deals while in Toulouse. There’s free entry to museums - including Couvent Des Jacobins - and interesting monuments. You can also indulge in limitless public transportation like buses and trains.
Free day
Couvent Des Jacobins provides free entry to everyone on the 1st Sunday of each month. Entry is free of charge for guests under 18 years of age. It’s helpful to know that there’s free entry daily to the church and the chapel. However, you must pay to explore the Cloister, Chapter Hall, Saint Antonin Chapel, and Refectory as well as any exhibits or concerts held in these particular areas.
Check the calendar
Be aware this tourist attraction is closed on the following holidays: January 1, May 1, and December 25.
How to get there
Rent a car
For tourists who want to rent a car and drive, the museum is located at Place des Jacobins.
Metro Toulouse
If you want to get there by subway, hop on Line A and exit at Capitole metro station. The museum is about 984 feet (300 meters) away.
Bus
Bus lines 14, 22, and Bus - AERO pass near Couvent Des Jacobins.
Taxi
Museum-goers can get here by hailing a taxi off the streets. Capitole Taxi is the only licensed taxi operator in the city and you can arrange a taxi pick-up by dialing +33 5 34 25 02 50 if you prefer.
Uber
App-savvy travelers can opt to use Uber to book a ride.
Bike
A nice way to see Toulouse’s downtown area and get some great exercise is to rent a bike. The city offers 253 VeloToulouse bike stations. The cost is about 2 USD (1 EUR) and you can use the bike all day long. Bike stations in the city’s central area can be found at rue Sainte-Ursule, rue Pargaminieres, and Place de la Daurade.
Parking information
Q-Park Jeanne d'Arc located at 8 Place Jeanne d Arc is 2 miles (3.4 kilometers) from the museum. A parking lot called Capitole located at 11 Place du Capitole is 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from this attraction. You can also use a third-party website to book a reservation at a car park. Though it may be a bit of a hike to the museum from these car parks, many who don’t want to trek on foot can hop on the metro the rest of the way.
How to book tickets
If you’re keen on visiting Couvent Des Jacobins, you can book tickets via a third-party website or at the official ticket purchasing site.
Couvent Des Jacobins information
Address: Place des Jacobins, 31000 Toulouse, France
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
Cost: October 1 - May 31: 2.72 - 4.36 USD (2.50 - 4 EUR) | June 1 - September 30: 3.27 - 5.45 USD (3 - 5 EUR)
Official website: Couvent Des Jacobins
Department of tourism: Visit France
Toulouse Private Guided Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to