Toulouse. The good addresses of Mathieu Arnal, journalist and author of the book “Living in Toulouse

How did we live in Toulouse during the Thirty Glorious Years? This is the theme of the book “Living in Toulouse. 1950-1980” written by the journalist Mathieu Arnal, who returns in a beautiful work – published by Privat Editions – on these particularly pivotal decades for the Pink City.

Iconic places highlighted

A time when Toulouse, often described as a “big village”, will be fundamentally transformed to become the large, lively, attractive and dynamic metropolis that we know today.

“In this book, we wanted to highlight emblematic places of this era, which existed, which no longer exist or which still exist, through a choice of archive photographs, some of which are unpublished, and through the memories and testimonies of Toulouse residents who lived through this era,” explains Mathieu Arnal, who also collaborates every week with Toulouse News and your magazine Toulouse side.

“To delve into this book is to discover particularly emblematic places of this era, such as La Tournerie des Drogueurs, a legendary jazz cellar from those years, the Arènes du Soleil d’Or, a large enclosure dedicated to bullfighting created in 1953; the Palais des Sports, “a bit of the Zenith of the time: all the French and international stars performed there: there was Goldman, Telephone, Renault, Johnny Hallyday, U2, Nirvana, Elton John… the whole lot! » or the Sorano, the Mirail district, or the Cartoucherie. A must read!

Mathieu Arnal’s good addresses in Toulouse

Here are Mathieu Arnal’s good addresses in Toulouse:

A cultural place: The Sorano

“The first time I went to the theater in Toulouse was at the Sorano. It was in 2003 and I immediately appreciated the uniqueness of this 430-seat theater. It’s a place that’s celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and I go back there regularly.”

A café and restaurant: L’Héliopolis and Chez Navarre

“My HQ is Heliopolis, Place du Salin! I really like chatting with Wafic, the owner, who has been running this café for 20 years! I also like the restaurant Chez Navarre, whose all-you-can-eat buffet is ideal for big eaters! »

A bookstore: Ombres Blanches

“It’s THE emblematic independent bookstore of Toulouse! Literature, essays, history… The choice is plentiful and there is a superb meeting space, with very high-class guests! »

A neighborhood: Saint-Michel

“Saint-Michel, that’s where I live!” It is a popular and dynamic neighborhood. And with the old prison and the Castelet, it is also a district steeped in history. I also like the Cratère, a real neighborhood cinema. »

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