Soaring to new heights

With picturesque Toulouse as its backdrop, the continued rise of Philippine Airlines is no longer just a dream; it's becoming a reality

- REY ROBES ILAGAN

Toulouse is best known as the Pink City—a nickname earned from its signature reddish bricks and terracotta rooftops, making it a charming tourist destination in Southern France. The city is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Canal du Midi, the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, and the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

One of Toulouse’s most iconic figures is Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the famed aviator and author of “The Little Prince.” He flew for the pioneering airmail service Compagnie Aéropostale, which operated routes to Africa and South America from its base in Toulouse. Local shops are filled with memorabilia and merchandise of “The Little Prince,” making it a poetic tribute to the beloved author and his timeless work.

Toulouse is the capital of the Occitanie region of France with around half a million people within its city limits and more than one and half million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. It is France’s fourth-largest city after Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. From the docks of the Garonne River to the grand square of the Capitole, Toulouse is truly a city of charm and character.

But it is more than just a picturesque stop. Toulouse is a global hub for aerospace and innovation—home to Airbus headquarters and a symbol of Europe’s engineering leadership.