Colomiers combines a local history dating back to 1080 with pilgrim routes, cultural offerings and a variety of green spaces. This gives you several themes to focus on when planning your trip: you can explore the town’s development and historic architecture, learn about routes associated with pilgrimage, or discover parks and natural areas. You can also plan your journey using the TER-liO-SNCF network connection.
History and Architecture
In 1080, the village of Colomiers grew up around a chapel founded by an abbot of Saint-Sernin. It later became the church of Sainte-Radegonde. This sequence traces the village’s origins around the chapel and its later identity as a church, providing a clear historical point of reference.
Two 18th-century dovecotes offer further insights into the area’s historic architecture. The Pigeonnier du Perget is built of pink brick and is considered an emblematic feature of Colomiers’ historic heritage. The Pigeonnier Saint-Jean is also a historic dovecote dating from the 18th century and an example of architecture built with Toulouse brick. Their shared period and different brick styles make for a concrete comparison: pink brick at Perget and Toulouse brick at Saint-Jean.
Culture and Pilgrim Routes
The Pavillon blanc Henri-Molina houses a media library, a toy library, a creative workshop and an art centre in Colomiers. The art centre presents three free exhibitions of contemporary art each year. They explore the connections between images and texts. If you would like to plan your stay around an exhibition, you can check the dates before your trip.
The pilgrim routes also offer a clear connection to the town’s history. A direct route on the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela passes through Colomiers. Another route through the town is the GR653 Chemin Saint-Jean, which pilgrims also use on their way to Santiago. Both routes are associated with pilgrimage, while their names remain distinct: a direct Way of St James route and the GR653 Chemin Saint-Jean.
Parks and Landscapes
The Berges du Bassac is a landscaped promenade along the Bassac, shaded by oak trees. The Parc du Pigeonnier offers a different experience: this 16,500-square-metre park surrounds a lake and offers opportunities for fishing and relaxation. Together, a shaded riverside promenade and a park with a lake offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors.
The Parc du Cabirol covers eight hectares around the Château du Cabirol. More than 1,100 trees grow on the grounds, including several noteworthy species. The 30-hectare Aussonnelle nature area offers another aspect of the landscape: it includes wheat fields, orchards and woodland with various shrub species, and invites visitors to take walks in nature. These places offer a variety of settings: a park around a château, a lakeside park, and a natural area with fields, orchards and woodland.
Getting There and Your Stay
Colomiers is served by the TER-liO-SNCF network, which connects Toulouse to Auch via Métro B (Arènes). If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable before travelling. You can choose how to balance the local attractions: historic buildings, culture and pilgrim routes sit alongside a variety of parks and natural areas. This lets you choose the focus of your stay based on which aspects of Colomiers are most appealing for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Revel, Saint-Félix-Lauragais, Saint-Pé-Delbosc, Saint-Sauveur, Gagnac-Sur-Garonne, Cazères, Marignac-Lasclares, Bessières.
For the regional travel overview: Haute-Garonne.
