Sprawling on the west bank of the Garonne River, Blagnac is a lively suburb in the north-west of Toulouse. It is famously home to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, which is the main aviation gateway to Haute-Garonne. Due to its aviation history, Blagnac provides the setting for several museums that explore the past and the future of the industry.
Things to do in Blagnac
Aviation enthusiasts can visit Aeroscopia, an aerospace museum on the northern edge of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. It occupies a building designed to resemble the fuselage of an airplane and boasts 7,000 square metres of exhibition space. In addition to Concordes, Caravelles and Super Guppys, it features interactive exhibits that allow you to go behind the scenes and into recreated cockpits.
Nearby is Old Wings Toulouse, which preserves vintage aircraft and welcomes enthusiastic restorationists to get hands-on. It houses a collection of around 50 machines that include a Rallye Morane Saulnier and a Sud Aviation Caravelle once used by Air Toulouse. Also on display is a bright red Belgium Air Force Fouga CM-170 Magister, which is notable for its distinctive V-tail.
Want to stretch your legs? Enjoy a stroll through Parc du Ritouret, which centres around a fishing lake filled with carp and bream. A network of walking trails winds its way through the wooded surroundings, with monumental sculptures dotting the routes. Coincide your visit with the annual Lantern Festival, which ignites the park with illuminated floats.
Getting around Blagnac
Blagnac is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Toulouse and just five minutes from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Both buses and trams travel throughout Blagnac, connecting most of its attractions. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.