Experience the true culture & history of 'La Ville Rose' with Penny's memorable English speaking walking tours!
Recommended in the New York Times '36 Hours in Europe' 2nd ed and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence winner 2013-2020 + 2023-2024 Scheduled walks go thrice weekly - way more in Spring, Summer & Autumn & a little less in Winter. Private bookings available based on diary availability
Key Sights walks plus much more e.g. Beyond the Postcard, Left Bank...
Toulouse Explorer Challenges aimed at 8-12 year olds
See website calendar for specifics. 20€ per adult
20/12/2024
Delighted that my walking tours have been recommended by Simon Beasley in his rugby fan's guide to Toulouse. If you're heading to la ville rose to watch Stade Toulousain or Toulouse Olympique XIII then do reach out if you'd like to book a tour. I'd love to help you have an adventure here and a private rugby group walking tour of my 'Key Sights, Highlights & Hidden Gems' route is peppered with rugby anecdotes, historic secrets, gastronomic recommendations to help you get the most from your trip here!
When are you visiting?!
HappyCulture Hotels
Mercure Hotels
Stade Toulousain is a team steeped in rugby history. Top 14 champions 23 times and European Champions Cup winners six times makes them the most successful team in Europe.The black and red play thei…
23/11/2024
🤔 Struggling to come up with a festive gift for your loved one! Don’t want to buy more ‘stuff’ that clutters? I have you covered!
🎁 Why not give the pleasure of unearthing Toulouse’s secrets 'à la Penny' this Christmas with a Toulouse Walking Tours Gift Certificate for a 2025 tour ?
🗓️ Valid for 12 months, they are printed on coloured card (green of course) with a matching envelope + sealed with silver wax (I love doing that bit!), they make an ideal gift for any curious friend or relative. Available for both public & private tours.
🌏 Can be posted worldwide (postage applies). Order before 30th November for delivery outside France.
18/11/2024
✨️ Crazy yes, like an onion, there's always another juicy layer waiting for you!
✨️ Come peel back the layers with us on my 'Beyond the Postcard' tour:
Sunday 24th November
9.30 a.m. - 12 noon
✨️ We'll go on a voyage of fun + historic discovery to get under the skin of the building, streets + monuments we'll find. We'll focus on the magic underneath - the people, the stories and bring the past to life.
✨️ Oh and the wheels will be carrying my famous, homemade gingerbread + a warming cuppa.
✨️ Usually only available as a private tour so book your place now! €27 adult, €5 under 16s.
✨️ Who's joining us for inspiration, fun + a thoroughly good time?
Penny Dickinson
14/11/2024
🏆 Have you heard the news? is ranked 1st by Lonely Planet in its best urban destinations to visit in 2025. This is the perfect complement to it being awarded UNESCO status as a Creative City of Music last year.
👏 Bravo to Toulouse + Toulouse Team for this achievement.
✨️ It's always a privilege to help clients fall under the charm + magic of 'la ville rose'. It's truly such a special destination - when's best to visit is a question that I'm often asked! Quite simply there's no bad time as there's a reason to visit Toulouse in every season.
🏈 Visit in spring for fresh starts to sunny days. Enjoy a freshly bewed coffee 'en terrasse' on one of the picturesque squares.Take in a pastel workshop to see blue gold magic in action. A busy season for sport, a great time to take in a match + soak up the rugby spirit pre + post match!
☀️ Come in summer for the slower pace of life, enjoy a chilled glass of white with tapas at a guingette - a pop-up outdoor bar. Experience the city from the water on a canal cruise or hire an electric boat for a pootle on the Garonne. Local music superheroes Bigflo + Oli Rose music festival at the end of August is a must.
🍁 Choose autumn for leaf-peeping in the city's parks including the Japanese gardens. September's piano concerts in the Jacobins are quite special. Then end November the Christmas markets start - vin chaud anyone?
🏛 Travel here in the winter for crisp days, blue skies, quiet streets plus incredible views of the buildings. A great time to take in an opera at the theatre du Capitole and the violet festival held every February.
✨️ Friends - which is your favourite season in Toulouse? And if you've not been when are you planning to visit? My walking tours run in all 4 seasons so I know the best tips to give you whichever season you visit in! When are you joining me? Penny Dickinson
11/11/2024
💚 OUT OUT! Yes, we were!
💚 Thank you to the lovely friends who gifted us a truly special evening out on Saturday at Les Passionnés. A very thoughtful present for my 50th birthday that was back in June.
💚 Mr D + I love the ethical, unpretentious, local values + vibe there. Not to mention the mouthwatering delicious + different menu. On-point wine pairings, as always from their sommelier.
💚 Adjacent to the Canal de Brienne, cosy inside in the cooler months, the terrace is where it's at when warmer! Bon appétit!
💚 Love foodie talk with my clients + helping them find places that work for their tastes + budgets in Toulouse is all part of why I enjoy my 'job' so much.
💚 Which do think was our favourite dish? Sorry for blurry pics... Penny Dickinson
04/11/2024
✨️ What do all these people have in common? It’s not their nationality, gender or favourite food! Quite simply, they have all fallen under Toulouse’s magic spell on one of my recent private tours.
💚 Having listened to clients’ frequent post-tour musings: ‘Wish we’d had your insight earlier’; ‘We should have planned more time in Toulouse’; ‘We won’t be able to do that as we’re booked to go to x,y,z’ I am pleased to announce I have a solution (with a drum roll)…
✨️ …my NEW VIP limited edition - ‘private tour plus’ - option is now available to book! This option packages a 2025 private tour with a 30-minute video-chat with me prior to your trip to help plan your schedule whilst in Toulouse.
💚 As a special bonus for anyone buying one this week, the video-chat is FREE. This offer applies to 2025 private tours + the video chat is based on mutual diary availability & can take place any time before your tour date. To qualify for the bonus you must buy before midnight 10th November CET.
✨️ Given the festive season will soon be upon us this offer can also bought as a Gift Certificate (with Gift Certificates valid for tours upto 31st December 2025). Lovingly printed on green card with a matching envelope and sealed with silver wax they make an ideal gift for a culturally curious friend or relative.
2.5 hr private tour €225 (+ postage for gift certificates)
3.5 hr private tour €300 (+ postage for gift certificates)
Supplements apply for large groups & Sundays/national holidays
🌼 It's November + a national holiday here in France for 'La Toussaint' or All Saints Day!
🌼I t's a day where folk take time to honour their now departed loved ones, traditionally by visiting cemetries and gracing their graves with chrysanthemums. Usually associated with funerals and considered to represent immortality, these flowers can survive hardy frosts. So that's why you see these bright blooms everywhere you look at this time of year! N.b. because of this it is NOT etiquette to give these flowers for social occasions.
🌼 I like to think my tours honour the dead too. It's a privilege to share the history of Toulouse's long-dead heroes + heroines and something I take great care in doing. My tours are carefully researched with every one an opportunity to remember the unique contributions of others to make the city of Toulouse the special place it is. From the Roman, to the Medieval, Renaissance, Modern + Contemporary periods. I feel a duty to share their history so clients can really get under the skin of Toulouse. To truly appreciate where they are. Not just as a quick tick the list visitor who wants to 'do' Toulouse in the quickest + cheapest way, rather someone who truly wants to connect with the city + understand it on another level.
🌼 If this resonates with you, then there are 5 opportunities in November to join me on one of my public tours, all at 9.30 am - 12 noon.
Sat 2nd, 9th, 16th + 30th - Key Sights, Highlights + Hidden Gems tour
Sat 23rd - Beyond the Postcard tour. Link in bio to book.
🌼 A few remaining spots for private tours weeks commencing 18th + 25th November.
🌼 So this November, I hope to help you appreciate Toulouse's history-makers, while the quiet streets spill their secrets in what is a calm but focussed + usually sunny month here in SW France. Couple of recent pics from October public tours.
Muriel Martin + Lou Gibbons discussing the publication of Lou's first book, 'The World Happiness Organisation'. Congratulations Lou!
As the book is set in Toulouse, it's only fitting that the event took place in the beautiful, historic cellar Librairie Privat. Locals, grab your copy there + support + both the author + an independent book store
In love with the rainbow of autumn colours on Capitole this weekend. Swoon swoon.
08/10/2024
💚 Clients are often surprised by the urinals dotted around Toulouse.
💚 Way preferable to the alternative in my view 😉
21/09/2024
💚 Scrummy post-tour lunch today with our eldest at Café Minnaya on rue Colombette. Sunny eggs, avocado + hazelnut pancakes / avocado + salmon toast.
💚 It''s one of our faves.
17/09/2024
Post-tour shot from yesterday afternoon. 4.30pm.
We blue-sky-bathed all afternoon.
Fringe benefits of a tour with me 😉
Penny Dickinson
22/08/2024
🗝 Searching for those aha moments that will transform your trip to Toulouse into a magical experience?
💚 Wanting those insider tips and tricks that elevate a city break into the start of a special love affair with SW France? Then you have so much in common with the happy folk in these photos!
AND are you also:
✅️ Flexible with tour dates
✅️ Keen to meet others
✅️ Happy to be in a group
✅️ Travelling to a budget
🗝 Then my public tours have you covered! Whilst these are not private tours you will leave armed with everything you need to have the time of your life in 'la ville rose'. Which are my preferred courtyards in town to avoid the crowds? My pick of the temporary exhibitions in town? Where can you buy award-winning-melt-in-your-mouth fudge à la Toulouse? Best rainy day activities? My 18 year-old daughter's favourite café to hang with her friends?... and the list goes on. All questions are welcome on tour and it's always a pleasure to share my tips with you.
💚 These have been carefully curated from over 20 years of living here, having 2 kids-now-teens (so I know what youngsters at all ages like) + 14 years of guiding. These have been, hands-down the best years of my life!
🗝 I'm on a mission to ensure my clients leave Toulouse having had the BEST stay ever AND are already planning their next trip back.
💚 2 remaining public tours in August with spaces:
Saturday 24th
Saturday 31st
Both at 9.30 a.m. - 12 noon.
No remaining slots for private tours in August.
💚 Link in bio to book. Look forward to hearing from you 😘 Penny Dickinson
22/07/2024
💚 Jumping up and down with joy to announce that my walking tours have been recognised in Trip Advisors Traveler’s choice awards for 2024. The award honours businesses that consistently earn great reviews placing them among the top 10% of Trip Advisor’s listings around the world.
💚 Currently ranked ‘number 2 of 96 activities in Toulouse’ by Trip Advisor I am honoured to be among Toulouse’s visitors’ favourite things to do.
💚 A huge heartfelt thank you to all of my clients who took the time to leave a review – I do appreciate the time it takes & that online reviews are not everyone’s cup of tea. So much of my work enjoyment comes from the wonderful folk that I meet who have chosen to explore Toulouse with me. Your support means the world.
💚 Thank you to Mr D & the kids who are my biggest supporters and never complain that they share their life with a small business owner & all that means…
💚 Congratulations to all my fellow Toulouse tour guides who have been recognised with an award too – yay to us for our contribution to making Toulouse the unique destination it is!
💚 This achievement is even more special to me as I don’t sell my tours through the Trip Advisor platform. This year’s award compliments prior Trip Advisor accolades going all the way back to 2013 (excluding the covid-challenging year of 2021).
💚 Thank you for being part of my business journey & here’s to many more exciting adventures together! Penny Dickinson
18/06/2024
💚 And that's a wrap for school trip tours for the 2023-2024 school year!
💚 Yesterday's group were 14 year olds from a local collège's class 'Euro' and they rocked it! Curious, interested + keen to use their excellent language skills, we had such fun!
💚 It's always an honour when a walking tour with me is chosen as an end-of-year trip for the pupils. Knowing that the extracurricular events and time out of the classroom are often the memories of school life that keep forever makes me even more passionate about ensuring the pupils have a great time + tour with me.
💚 To me, learning is a 2-way process + I always have so many takeaways from connecting with the youth of today. Yesterday's was a reminder of the spirit of teamwork + contribution - many of the pupils had been busy baking tasty treats to share with their classmates for their post-tour picnic in one of Toulouse's gardens. Lucky enough to get an advance taste of the chocolate chip cookies, I know they will have enjoyed a delicious feast!
💚 What are your takeaways from yesterday?
Penny Dickinson
05/06/2024
Thank you for the shout out Tournesol Travel LLC ! It was such a pleasure to share my passion for Toulouse with this group of friends from Wisonsin on their bespoke private tour. Such a wonderful group + I hope their travel memories live long in their hearts.
Penny Dickinson
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Videos
Inspiring evening with the Ambassadeurs de Toulouse celebrating the city + its people. Omar Hasan brought the house down at the end.
Who's getting off the beaten track with me on Sunday?
'Beyond the Postcard' tour.
9.30 a.m. - 12 noon.
The wheels will be carrying homemade gingerbread + a warming cuppa.
Penny Dickinson
💚 Jumping up and down with joy to announce that my walking tours have been recognised in Trip Advisors Traveler’s choice awards for 2024. The award honours businesses that consistently earn great reviews placing them among the top 10% of Trip Advisor’s listings around the world.
💚 Currently ranked ‘number 2 of 96 activities in Toulouse’ by Trip Advisor I am honoured to be among Toulouse’s visitors’ favourite things to do.
💚 A huge heartfelt thank you to all of my clients who took the time to leave a review – I do appreciate the time it takes & that online reviews are not everyone’s cup of tea. So much of my work enjoyment comes from the wonderful folk that I meet who have chosen to explore Toulouse with me. Your support means the world.
💚 Thank you to Mr D & the kids who are my biggest supporters and never complain that they share their life with a small business owner & all that means…
💚 Congratulations to all my fellow Toulouse tour guides who have been recognised with an award too – yay to us for our contribution to making Toulouse the unique destination it is!
💚 This achievement is even more special to me as I don’t sell my tours through the Trip Advisor platform. This year’s award compliments prior Trip Advisor accolades going all the way back to 2013 (excluding the covid-challenging year of 2021).
💚 Thank you for being part of my business journey & here’s to many more exciting adventures together! Penny Dickinson
#toulousewalkingtours #toulouse #toulouseoccitanie #experiencetoulouse #exploretoulouse #localguidetoulouse #walkingforhealth #holidayinfrance #visiteztoulouse #walkwithpenny #tourguidetoulouse #20yearslivinginfrance #ambassadeurdetoulouse #swfrance #travelsouthoffrance #swfrance #explorefrance #lovemyjob #TripAdvisor #travelerschoice2024 #travelawards #toptipstoulouse #yorkshireinfrance #urbanwalking #walkingformentalhealth #smallbizlove #soloholidays
💚 And that's a wrap for school trip tours for the 2023-2024 school year!
💚 Yesterday's group were 14 year olds from a local collège's class 'Euro' and they rocked it! Curious, interested + keen to use their excellent language skills, we had such fun!
💚 It's always an honour when a walking tour with me is chosen as an end-of-year trip for the pupils. Knowing that the extracurricular events and time out of the classroom are often the memories of school life that keep forever makes me even more passionate about ensuring the pupils have a great time + tour with me.
💚 To me, learning is a 2-way process + I always have so many takeaways from connecting with the youth of today. Yesterday's was a reminder of the spirit of teamwork + contribution - many of the pupils had been busy baking tasty treats to share with their classmates for their post-tour picnic in one of Toulouse's gardens. Lucky enough to get an advance taste of the chocolate chip cookies, I know they will have enjoyed a delicious feast!
💚 What are your takeaways from yesterday?
#toulouse Penny Dickinson
Blooming love Saturday morning tours!
Quiet + magical at the start so we get the best of the city to ourselves.
When we finish, the atmosphere is always electric in town, building up to a wonderful Saturday evening.
Plus I've spent my morning sharing my passion for this special part of the world with some amazing folk.
And I've racked up thousands of steps.
How have you spent your morning?! Penny Dickinson
💚 This is #Toulouse as my clients love it.
💚 Always wishing they were staying longer. Having found a hidden secret that they connect with.
💚 They leave with Toulouse having a place in their heart forever. Understanding how Toulouse's history, culture, people + gastronomy make it special. With carefully curated tips for their stay from my black book.
💚 Having had a truly unique travel experience, discovering somewhere that is off the beaten track.
💚 Comment adventure + I will send you the link to receive my newsletter so that you can start to fall under Toulouse's charm. #toulousewalkingtours #visiteztoulouse Penny Dickinson
Fondation Bemberg - officiel
💚 A hearty 'Bonjour' to you all!
💚 Have had a few new followers so just wanted to introduce myself a little.
💚 As well as the snippets above, I'm married to a wonder #manxman and we have 2 teenagers, a 17 year-old daughter + a 15 year-old son.
💚 I blooming love my job - helping people fall under the charm and magic of #Toulouse through my award-winning English-speaking walking tours. Leaving a corporate career behind in 2010 to create my business was such a pivotal decision in my life + one I celebrate daily.
💚 I'm also incredibly proud to be an 'Ambassadeur de Toulouse' supporting l'agence d'attractivité de Toulouse in their mission.
💚 It's a privilege when people invite me into their free-time in Toulouse to help them experience Touliuse à la Penny.
💚 Am forever grateful of the support from clients, followers, friends + family on this journey.
✨️ Wishing you + your loved ones a peaceful and joyous Christmas, done your way.
✨️ Thank you to everyone who has supported me in 2023. Whether by coming on a walking tour, telling others about me, engaging with my social media or just checking in with my business back of house. It means the world to a small business owner + I truly appreciate it.
#nativityscene #toulouse Penny Dickinson
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My Story
Bonjour! For 10 years it’s been my joy to provide personal and passionate tours of Toulouse to visitors and locals alike. It would be an absolute pleasure to be your guide, your local expert and to help to make your Toulouse experience special. There’s a tour for everyone whether you’re after the Key Sights, something more off the beaten track or prefer a tour aimed at children. Due to current Covid19 regulations, there’s a maximum group size of 9 participants.
Private tours are available à la carte and can be fully personalised: I’ve have previously provided walking tours for families, schools, wedding party guests, rugby supporters, hen and stag parties, gourmet diners & foodies, and corporate groups to name but a few. Let me help you to make your Toulouse adventure special.
A true foodie, you’ll have my top tips for where and how to enjoy Toulouse's delicious cuisine - from cool little cafés, to the best bakeries, to great gastronomic experiences. Supporting the local community is very important to me and I enjoy recommending my favourite ways to shop local whilst in Toulouse.
Originally from Yorkshire, I arrived in Toulouse with my husband in 2003, quickly fell in love with this very special corner of the world and two children later it's become so much more than just 'home'. Ten years ago, I followed my dream and left a corporate career behind to create Toulouse Walking Tours. It's a privilege and a pleasure to have this vocation
Toulouse is located in the Occitanie region with stunning scenery, diverse culture, and a rich heritage. I will happy to provide clients with suggestions for wonderful places to include in their itinerary to the region and I also offer private tours in Auch - the capital of the Gascony area, known as the Tuscany of France.
20€ per adult per scheduled tour, private tour from 175€, see website calendar for specifics.
As I adore walking, talking, listening and meeting people I really do love my job and would be absolutely thrilled if you chose to tour Toulouse with me.
