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This remarkable building, noted for its façade and with its eight pink marble columns represents the original eight capitouls. In 1873, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc built a bell tower typical of the style of northern France on top of the donjon of the building. It was in this donjon that Jean Calas, a Protestant victim of a religiously biased trial, was interrogated. Only the Henri IV courtyard and gate survive from the original medieval buildings. It was in this courtyard that the Duke de Montmorency was decapitated after his rebellion against Cardinal Richelieu.
It is the seat of the Académie des Jeux Floraux, the equivalent of the French Academy for the Occitan- speaking regions of southern France, making Toulouse the unofficial capital of Occitan culture. The traditional Occitan cross was adopted as the symbol of both the City of Toulouse and the newly-founded Midi- Pyrénées région.
A thorough redesign of the Place du Capitole in 1995 reserved the space for pedestrians.
Today the Capitole houses the town hall and the Théâtre du Capitole, is the home of ballet, Opera Company and symphony orchestra. The Salle des Illustres contains 19th century works of art.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST TO VISIT
ŸBasilique Saint Sernin - a church from the 11th Century, partly restored by the famous french architect Viollet-le-Duc.
ŸHôtel d'Assézat - one of the most appealing of the many old mansions of the city
ŸPont-Neuf - despite its name (like the Parisian bridge of the same name, its title is most probably derived from the French for 'New', not 'Nine'.), the only old bridge across the Garonne river; built between 1544 and 1626
ŸLes Jacobins monastery church contains Thomas Aquinas' relics.
ŸCity park at the Grand Rond, south-east to the centre of the city
ŸLes Augustins was once a monastery church, and today is an art museum
ŸLes Abattoirs Modern Arts museum, a very pretty garden with views of the Garonne
ŸGeorges Labit Museum Asian arts and Egyptian antiquities museum (17 rue du Japon) located in an exotic and Mediterranean garden built in 1893
HOME OF THE TOULOUSE SAUSAGE
The city's gastronomic specialties include Saucisses de Toulouse, a type of herb sausage, cassoulet Toulou- sain, a bean and pork stew, or by its popular name Cassoulet which originates from Castelnaudary which is east of Toulouse in the Languedoc region.
RECIPE FOR CASSOULET
INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons olive oil 1lb of Toulouse sausage, duck breast or duck leg confit, 1/2 lb dried cannellini beans 2-4 cups chicken stock 2 small onions 2 medium courgettes 6 mushrooms, 3 small carrots 2 stalks celery 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 large can of whole tomatoes 2 bay leaves handful of fresh thyme sprigs 1 sprig fresh rosemary, salt and pepper
Method: On the hob heat oil to a medium heat and add meat, cook until well browned on all sides. Add beans and enough stock to cover. Cover with a lid and bring to a light simmer. Cook for 60 minutes.
Heat a large skillet to and add oil, all chopped vegetables and a pinch of salt. Sweat for 5 minutes then add herbs and tomatoes as well as some pepper. Bring to a simmer and add to the beans. Continue cooking beans and meat until beans are tender. Remove bay leaves and any herb stalks. Remove meat to a cutting board. Trim off any bones, chop into pieces and add back to stew. Taste and correct for seasoning.
Article by Angela Clohessy The next edition will be available in June. Contact us -
info@quercylocal.com
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