What to Eat in Toulouse Each Season

What is in season in Toulouse, and what to order when the market changes.

Next up in Toulouse

26 Nov to 27 DecChristmas market food and mulled wine

Spring

White asparagus from the Landes: Plump white asparagus from the sandy Landes pine forests arrives at the Marche Victor Hugo in April and runs into May, served simply with hollandaise.
Strawberries from Penne d'Agenais: Lot-et-Garonne strawberries, especially the Ciflorette and Gariguette, fill market stalls from late March to June, sold in green wood baskets at every Saint-Aubin Sunday stand.
Pyrenean lamb: Spring lamb from the Pyrenees foothills arrives at Easter, sold whole or in saddles at the Marche Victor Hugo butchers, then served roasted with garlic at the city's bistros.

Melon from Lectoure: Cantaloupe melons from the Gers town of Lectoure peak in July and August, the producer Pierre Latrille's stand at the Marche Victor Hugo is the canonical buy, served with a glass of Floc de Gascogne.
Peaches from Moissac: Yellow and white peaches from the Tarn-et-Garonne orchards around Moissac run June to September, sold by the half kilo at the Saint-Aubin Sunday market.
Chasselas de Moissac grapes: The Moissac white grape, AOC since 1971, ripens in late August and runs into October, eaten fresh as a snack and paired with cheese plates from the Capitole bistros.

Cepes from the Pyrenean foothills: Wild Boletus edulis from the Comminges and Ariege forests appear at the Victor Hugo market in October, served sauteed with garlic and parsley at the city's southwest bistros.
Game from the Lauragais: Pheasant, wild duck and venison from the Lauragais plain run October to January, the centrepiece of fine-dining tasting menus at Les Jardins de l'Opera and Acte 2.
New-season foie gras: Fresh foie gras d'oie and de canard from the Gers arrives in autumn, sold raw or torchon at the Marche Victor Hugo charcuterie counters from October through Christmas.

Cassoulet season: Cassoulet is at its proper season from November through February, with all three styles, Toulouse with confit duck, Castelnaudary with pork only, and Carcassonne with partridge, available across the centre.
Truffles from the Quercy: Black Perigord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) from the Quercy and Lot runs December to March, sold by the gram at Saturday-morning truffle markets in Lalbenque, a 90 minute drive north.
Confit duck and magret: Winter is the canonical confit-duck season at the bistros around Saint-Georges, served either as the cassoulet centrepiece or sliced on its own as a magret with potato sarladaise.

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Hotels in Toulouse, 20-21 Feb 2027

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