Taking a few Toulouse day trips while visiting the south of France will give you an opportunity to see more of what the country has to offer during your stay. If you can, set aside at least 1 day for any of these exciting day trips from Toulouse:

Visit Castres

Only 50 miles east of Toulouse is Castres, another large industrial city in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France. Depending on traffic, it takes about 70 to 90 minutes to drive to Castres from Toulouse or you can hop on a train for €15 and get there in just under an hour.

The Agout River, which runs through Castres, makes for a stunning visit. View architecture along the riverside suspended over water like something out of Venice. You should also stop by the Goya Museum, which is home to the largest collection of Spanish art in France.

Stop by Bordeaux

It takes between 2 and 2 1/2 hours by train from Toulouse to Bordeaux, which is about 150 miles northwest of Toulouse. You can also drive there in about 2 hours and 20 minutes, but as the train fare costs only about €25 to €35 each way, and it's really a convenient way to start and end your day trip.

Bordeaux is one of the largest urban areas in the country, so you'll find plenty to do during your day trip. The city is perhaps best known for its red and white wine, so you'd be remiss not to visit a vineyard or at least taste what the Bordeaux wine selection has to offer. You might also enjoy a visit to the Musee des Beaux Arts, which features the largest art gallery in France outside of those in Paris. You should also plan to visit famous architecture, like the Palais Gallien, walk in the parks and gardens, or shop the nearly-a-mile-long stretch of boutiques and cafes along the Rue Saint-Catherine.

Spend a Day in Spain

You may have to get up a bit early to fit in a day in Spain, but as Toulouse is fairly close to the French/Spanish border. Donostia-San Sebastian, in the northeast of Spain, makes an excellent day trip destination about 220 miles, west of Toulouse. You can drive there in about 3 1/2 hours or take a train (with 1 transfer) that takes about 4 1/2 hours and costs €58 each way.

San Sebastian is home to many internationally renowned restaurants, including Akelarre and Arzak, which serve New Basque cuisine. If you come during the summer, you might make it in time for the Clasica de San Sebastian, an annual professional cycling race that's a part of the UCI ProTour. Another highlight is watching soccer and rugby at the Anoeta Stadium.