Looking for an original violet-scented souvenir? The most complete spots in Toulouse are La Maison de la Violette (barge, 10 am-7 pm), Les Halles de Victor Hugo (7 am-2 pm), Boutique Violette et Co (11 am-7 pm), Atelier des Violettes (10 am-6 pm), Parfumerie de la Violette (10 am-7 pm) and the cozy Café Violette (8 am-6 pm). These six addresses gather sweets, cosmetics, textiles, and creations of Artisanat Toulousain around the emblematic flower: impossible to leave without a 100% local purple gift!
Violet souvenirs: the best shops and their specialties
Each brand interprets the flower in sweets, perfumes, or decorative items. Busy visitors will appreciate the summary table;
| 🏪 Shop | 📍 Address | ⏰ Hours 2025 | 🎁 Featured product |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Maison de la Violette | Barge, Port Saint-Sauveur | 10 am-7 pm (Mon-Sat) | Crystal candies 💜 |
| Atelier des Violettes | 11 rue Cujas | 10 am-6 pm (Tue-Sat) | Painted fans 🎨 |
| Parfumerie de la Violette | 27 rue Lafayette | 10 am-7 pm (Mon-Sat) | Eau de toilette 🌸 |
| Boutique Violette et Co | 6 rue de la Bourse | 11 am-7 pm (Tue-Sat) | Violet tea 🍵 |
| Café Violette | 38 rue des Filatiers | 8 am-6 pm (every day) | Violet latte ☕ |
- 💐 Tip: slipping a sachet of crystallized violets into your carry-on guarantees a delicate scent throughout the trip.
- 🚲 All these outlets can be easily explored by bike; Toulouse à Vélo stations are located less than 150 m away.
Focus on “L’Art de la Violette” at the Canal du Midi
The exhibition space next to La Maison de la Violette traces three centuries of floral cultivation. You’ll discover vintage bottles, traditional distillation, and DIY workshops on Saturday mornings (reservation recommended):
- 🧴 Making solid perfume (45 min)
- 🍬 Coating candied petals (30 min)
- 🎨 Silk painting tinted with pastels (1 h)
Gourmet specialties: cassoulet & “Les Souvenirs du Sud-Ouest”
Because the palate demands something other than violet, head to the gourmet stalls.
| 🍲 Product | 🏷️ Where to buy | 💡 Detail to check |
|---|---|---|
| Jarred cassoulet | Les Halles de Victor Hugo, “Les Souvenirs du Sud-Ouest” stall | Preservation date 👀 |
| Semi-cooked foie gras | Maison Samaran, 23 place Victor-Hugo | Duck origin 🇫🇷 |
| Fronton AOP | Cellar “Le Vin Se Fait” 14 rue du Rempart Matabiau | Vintage & grape variety 🍇 |
| Cow’s tomme cheese | Fromagerie Xavier, 6 place Victor-Hugo | Minimum aging 12 months 🧀 |
The Les Souvenirs du Sud-Ouest stall packs gift boxes on the spot combining cassoulet, violets, and foie gras: a “Toulouse kit” ready to give.
- 😋 Free tasting before 11 am.
- 🛫 Jars are allowed in the cabin, but foie gras must travel in checked baggage (IATA regulations 2025).
Bonus video: preparing cassoulet Toulouse style
Blue Pastel and Toulouse craftsmanship: textiles, cosmetics, design
Before pink and violet, Toulouse owed its fortune to pastel. Specialized shops now blend blue pastel with floral hints.
- 🧣 Bleu de Lectoure – 9 rue Romiguières: scarves, T-shirts, art paper.
- 🛁 Terre de Pastel – 629 rue Max Planck (Labège): body care rich in isatine.
- 🎁 Artisanat Toulousain Corner at Galeries Lafayette: notebooks, watercolor paintings, and deep blue candles.
| 🔵 Pastel item | Average price | Weight (travel) |
|---|---|---|
| Linen scarf | €39 | 80 g |
| Face soap | €8.90 | 100 g |
| Dyed leather notebook | €22 | 150 g |
Travel tips ✈️
Pastel does not resist direct sunlight well; wrapping fabrics in tissue paper prevents fading during travel.
- 🛍️ Free gift wrapping upon presentation of train or plane ticket.
- 🔖 10% discount when combining a pastel item + violet product, offer valid until December 31, 2025.
Children’s gifts, books & goodies: fun ideas
Young ones are not forgotten; several stores offer suitable gifts.
- 🧸 Cadeaux des Petits Loulous – 5 rue du Taur: violet sausage plush toys.
- 📚 Librairie Ombres Blanches – 50 rue Gambetta: cookbooks from the Southwest.
- 🎲 Pop Culture Store – 11 rue Saint-Rome: violet pixel art-style magnets.
| 🎈 Children’s product | Budget | Why it’s great |
|---|---|---|
| Violet plush toys | €14.90 | Machine washable |
| Comic “Mission Cassoulet” | €9.50 | Fun city guide |
| Mini soap maker kit | €12 | Make your own scented soap |
Networking inspirations “souvenirs” worldwide
To vary the pleasures, these guides dedicated to other destinations complete the collection:
- 🇬🇧 Unusual souvenirs in London
- 🇺🇸 11 gift ideas from New York
- 🇯🇵 Must-have items from Japan
- 🌴 Artisanal pearls from Bali
- 🇫🇷 Fragrant getaway in Nice
These articles complete the reading for those wishing to compare the best of each region or country.
FAQ
- Which souvenir costs less than €10 but symbolizes Toulouse?
The mini bottle of eau de toilette from Parfumerie de la Violette (€8.50) combines local scent, cabin size, and artisanal manufacture. - Are Les Halles de Victor Hugo open on Sunday?
Yes, only in the morning from 7 am to 1 pm; perfect for a last purchase before catching the train. - Can fresh products be shipped by La Maison de la Violette?
The shop offers a refrigerated Colissimo service for sweets sensitive to heat (additional €6). - Where can you photograph violet fields?
Between February and March, the Fleur de Pastel farm (Aucamville) opens its plots to visitors; booking the day before is required. - Are there vegan alternatives to canned cassoulet?
The cannery L’Art de la Violette just launched a plant-based cassoulet with pea proteins, available at the Halles since May 2025.
