The distinctive pink brick that makes up the 419-foot (128 -) facade of the Capitole and many of the surrounding buildings has lent the name of La Ville Rose, or the Pink City, to Toulouse. While construction began in the late 12th century, the building was tweaked and enlarged over the following centuries; its current neoclassical facade was built in the 1750s. Along with the city hall, it houses renowned opera venue the Théâtre du Capitole and the highly decorated Salle des Illustrés, celebrating famous residents of the city.
If you’re visiting Toulouse, you’re sure to pass through the square more than once—it serves as a meeting point for locals and tourists alike, and guided walking and bike tours stop there on their route. Look down as you cross the square, and you'll see the large gold-colored Occitan cross inlaid into the paving, paying homage to the Cathar period, which still forms a part of the identity of the Languedoc region.