Cheap flights from Hamburg to Toulouse from £115

Unsurprisingly, most people in Toulouse speak French, although some favour the historic language of Occitania. More and more locals, especially those in touch with the tourism and travel industry, are able to speak some English. So you can get around in Toulouse even without knowing any French. However, even a small effort to speak the language will make your journey smoother. ‘Bonjour’ (hello), ‘Pardon’ (sorry), ‘S’il vous plaît' (please), ‘Merci’ (thanks) and ‘Au Revoir’ (goodbye) are a few phazes to start with.

Toulouse has been the centre of the aerospace industry in France since WWII. The museum on the eastern outskirts brings its aeronautical history to life. Try walking on the Moon, test your space travel tolerance in a rotating pod, see the stars and the planets in an observatory and a planetarium. There are also some full-scale replicas of renowned spacecraft, including the Mir space station modules and Ariane 5 space rocket, which is 52 meters high.

As a rule, loud, noisy behavior in public is frowned upon. When talking to a local, try to lower your voice and speak in a respectable tone. Eating on public transport is another taboo, so keep your appetite in check before you reach a more private setting.