Cultural events not to be missed in spring: Cathars exhibition, Halle de la Machine, Banksy in Toulouse…

Cultural events not to be missed in spring: Cathars exhibition, Halle de la Machine, Banksy in Toulouse…

Spring has sprung and with it, cultural events are blooming /strong>: exhibitions, festivals, cultural and artistic discoveries... Here are our Top 5 must-sees of the season to do as a family, alone or as a couple... and even from birth (or almost ) !

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The “Cathares” exhibition, the first of this scale in France

Since April 5 and until January 5, 2025, the Saint-Raymond museum and Le Couvent des Jacobins dedicate their walls to an exceptional exhibition, even unique in France: "Cathars". Toulouse in the crusade. For the first time, 300 objects are brought together and exhibited in the two sites in order to understand these events which marked the History of Toulouse and Occitanie: that of the crusade against the Albigensians, but also the question of the "Cathar" heresy, a word which still animates debates in the community of historians and other enthusiasts of the Middle Ages.

Exceptional archival documents, unpublished archaeological objects, sculpted and painted works or in 3D, historical reconstruction material of scientific quality (costumes, weapons)... visitors will thus be immersed in the heart of this period.

Saint-Raymond Museum – 1 ter place Saint-Sernin, 31000 TOULOUSE – 05 61 22 31 44
Convent of the Jacobins – Allée Maurice Prin – Place des Jacobins – Entrance through the church – 31 000 TOULOUSE – 05 61 22 23 82

The "Cathares" exhibition was installed in two emblematic sites of Toulouse
The "Cathares" exhibition is set up in two emblematic sites of Toulouse © Guillaume Lamarque

The racecourse of Toulouse launches its Défi du Galop

Sunday April 21, on the occasion of the VASE D'ARGENT Prize – 3rd stage of the Défi du Galop, the Toulouse racecourse, located a few minutes from downtown Toulouse, organizes an exciting and unforgettable day for adults and children:

- From 10 a.m. , all children will be able to participate in a big egg hunt, while the first 150 to arrive will take part in the treasure hunt during which they will have to recover the hidden puzzles in order to uncover the coveted golden rabbit! Anyone who wants to can also enjoy the game "The Little Ones' Challenge" for free, a funny and fun activity.

- From 11 a.m. and every 30 minutes, eight national and prestigious galloping races will follow one another and will thus offer a unique spectacle for amateurs and novices in horse racing. The opportunity to discover the best French jockeys and horses who will compete in an exceptional and suspenseful 2,000 meter event.

And as with every event, several catering points< /strong> will be open to the public, including the panoramic restaurant which offers a unique setting with a view of the races. Enough to have a great time with family or friends!

Hippodrome de Toulouse< /a> – 1 Chemin des Courses, 31100 Toulouse – Free entry up to 18 years old / adults: €5

The Toulouse racecourse awaits young and old for a crazy day
The Toulouse racecourse awaits young and old for a crazy day © D.R.

Also read: Children's activities in Toulouse: the best family outings< /a>

My April Fools, the festival for toddlers

Another event not to be missed in spring: this festival aimed at toddlers (0 to 5 years old) and which takes place in several Cultural Centers in the Pink City. My April Fools is a whole month of shows, sensory and graphic explorations, readings, exhibitions, immersive workshops and funny creations… Only entertainment (sometimes free ) to discover as a family, with your (big and small) children. The opportunity to spend a friendly, immersive and fun time and to excite all your senses, from a very young age.

My April FoolsCultural Centers of Toulouse – From €4.50 per formula

 The festival for toddlers returns for a new edition
The festival for toddlers returns for a new edition span> © D.R.

Also read: My April Fish 2024: the immersive, fun and cultural festival for little ones

“ 10 years of progress for Toulouse: a city in transformation” until May 25, 2024

 “10 years of progress for Toulouse: a city in transformation” from April 17 to May 25, 2024
“10 years of progress for Toulouse: a city in transformation” from April 17 to May 25, 2024 / Pauline Boucher

Exhibition produced by Toulouse Town Hall, its objective is to explore the urban developments of the pink city. Fun, it is through agiant screen and threetouch tables that visitors can visualize 200 past or current creations that took part in the urban changesin Toulouse, all district by district. The aerial shots allow us to observe various changes: renovated monuments, vegetated squares, cycle paths... This is how the exhibition invites the visitor to discover the evolution and the different developments of the city while discovering its urban project.

“10 years of progress in Toulouse: a city in transformation” - rue d'Alsace Lorraine and in the neighborhoods - until May 25, 2024 - Every day from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Free entry

La Halle de La Machine is dressed in spring colors

With the arrival of sunny days and as part of its new scenography Snow Wind and Fire, the Halle de la Machine is planning exceptional events . To begin, on April 13 and 14 from 3 p.m., an Extr (ART) dinaire auction at the Criée will be organized within the Hall. The opportunity to leave with new works by François Delaroziere, the scenographer and director of Compagnie La Machine.

To close the spring season, on Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the percussionists from the music school of the Association Artistique des Cheminots de Toulouse (AACT) will take over the venue to show off their instruments and entertain the crowd. The walls are going to shake!

La Halle de la Machine – 3 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 Toulouse – Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

François Delarozière puts his own works of art on sale
François Delarozière puts his own works of art on sale on sale © Jordi Bover

Also read: Three festive and exceptional weekends mixing arts and music are expected at the Halle de la Machine

Banksy takes over a high school in Toulouse

From April 20 to May 5, 2024, every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., some The walls of the Lycée Urbain Vitry, located in Toulouse, will be dedicated to the journey of Banksy. This exhibition, presented by the Banksy Modeste Collection and led by Béru, mixing street art and solidarity, will highlight more than 250 works and objects by the world-renowned artist. A cultural meeting organized in the heart of working-class neighborhoods: les Izards, les 3 Cocus, Borderouge and which is open to all audiences, whether you are a student or simply curious.

After having toured different cities in France, this traveling exhibition which has already seen more than 200,000 visitors, is preparing to display its collections at the gates of Toulouse for two weeks. A small niche not to be missed; especially since each visitor-donor will be given the "collector" poster of the exhibition (or even more).

Lycée Urbain Vitry – 150 route de Launaguet, 31200 Toulouse – Free entry / Donations strongly accepted

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Banksy's journey traced on the walls of a school
Banksy's journey traced on the walls of a school © Banksy Modeste Collection < /figcaption>

Also read: What to do in Toulouse this weekend/this week? a>

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