3rd century B.C. - St Sernin

Toulouse appeared in the 4th century B.C. In the 2nd century the city swore allegiance to Rome. At the same time, Saturnin, also called Sernin, introduced christianity to Toulouse, which caused his execution in 250 after J.C.

9th century - The Capitouls

Toulouse's first claim to historical fame came in the 9th century through the Raymond family. These hereditary Comtes ruled an area extending from the central Pyrenees to beyond the Provence. In 1141, Raymond's grandson, Alphonse Jourdan, gave Toulouse one of its biggest institution: a city council of 12 directors called "Capitouls", selected by members of corporations.

11th century - The Catharism

The Cathar heresy swept through the Languedoc region in the 11th century. Many of Toulouse's important families readily took to this new form of christianity just to demonstrate their dislike to the Royaume de France or central power in Paris. Finally, in 1209, the French King persuaded the Pope to preach a crusade (the only one ever waged on Christian soil) to finish with these heretic cathars. Heading the crusade was a northern Baron, Simon de Montfort (father of the founder of the english parliament). In 1215, St Dominic was sent to Toulouse to stamp out catharism.As to defense, the Dominican order centered its activities in Toulouse by creating a University, the second after Paris.

16th century - The Pastel trade

Up until the mid-16th century, Toulouse built its richest and finest buildings by cultivating a plant called Isatis Tinctoria from which a rich blue dye was produced : pastel (or woad). As the Medieval Europe's leading supplier, the wealthy city and surrounding areas had an international reputation for good living, art and culture. The expression « Pays de Cocagne » (which comes from the french word for the Isatis seed pod that contained the pastel, « Coque ») became-and still remains-the french expression to describe a land of abundance.

17th century - The Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi was built, stimulating the grain and wine trade. This major work, conceived by Paul Riquet, linked the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.The Canal du Midi is one of the UNESCO Heritage Inventory.17th century - The Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi was built, stimulating the grain and wine trade. This major work, conceived by Paul Riquet, linked the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.The Canal du Midi is one of the UNESCO Heritage Inventory.

20th century Toulouse discovers a future

The First World War generals up in Northern France needed a safe industrial base to produce a new weapon, the aeroplane. Tucked away in southwest France, Toulouse just happened to have some flying machine pionneers. Since then, the name of Toulouse has become synonumous throughout the world, with aircraft and aerospace development, from the Caravelle and Concorde, to the seven family Airbus jets, from glistening gold-sheathed satellites, to the Ariane 5 launchers.