It doesn't have a whole lot that translates well to the blog, but there were a few interesting things I'll mention. Here are some of the decorations that represent the Academie des Jeux Floraux, the oldest known literary society in the world. They're delicate metal flowers in reference to the title of the group, which translates to the Academy of Floral Games. In the center there you can again see a representation of Clemence Isaure.
Some traditional ceramics from the area.
The museum features a lot of painting and sculpture by artists from Toulouse.
I thought this was really cool: it's a traditional outfit from the Toulouse region, mid 19th century. It definitely shows the Spanish influence.
And here are just some random pictures that didn't really fit into the other posts.
This is the Languedoc Cross, the symbol of the region. Languedoc was a large area of the south that shared language and cultural traditions that were quite different from other areas of France, and Toulouse was its capital. Today it's not an official region but more like if you were to say "the Midwest" or some such.
This library was done in a really cool art deco style. I really liked it.
Here is a fountain featuring some unknown lady.
This is the oldest hospital in the region, ultimately made by combining two religious hospitals that were near each other, so this building is 17th century. In the old buildings they quarantined sick people during the plague while almost everyone else evacuated the city. Toulouse closed the city gates after the evacuation and almost the only people left were doctors and sick people here, and bakers and butchers, who were not allowed to leave so that the people would have food.
Not sure exactly what this was for, but the sign said it was dedicated to a religious guy.
And now for some more modern stuff...a metal chicken!
And whatever this is.
Next and last Toulouse post: the churches we visited. Lots of pictures!
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