Mainly the day was spent packing, returning the Airbnb to the way I found it (not really much work as I cleaned as I stayed) and doing last minute Christmas shopping.

I found the French are not as reliable on opening hours as one may think. I needed one last item on my list and had checked out the shop yesterday and the opening hours said 1:00 – 7:00 pm on Monday. When I want to the shop was not open at 3:00 pm on Monday. I was lucky as I found another shop that was open and had what I needed.

I hit the Christmas Market to buy a figure for my Nativity set. I have lots of older pieces from when we lived in Italy. I had hoped to find some pieces to add when I was in Verona for Christmas last year but could not find a vendor who sold individual pieces. Here in Toulouse, I did find a vendor who sold individual pieces for the Nativity set so I bought two to add to my collection. I am happy to have some new additions.

In the evening, I went to the one Christmas market that I had not been to previously. There are three in Toulouse. Two in the Capitole area and then one slightly farther on the esplanade at Jean Juares. As an aside, he is another French figure similar to Victor Hugo who has lots of places, streets and other things named after him. This one was small and was more arts and crafts than food and standard vendors. The entrance is slightly nicer. See the main picture.

For dinner I went to the Brasserie Beaux Arts and splurged on one of their seafood platters. It was fantastic! I waited for my last dinner to have one as it would be a good memory of the last dinner for this time in Toulouse. I really went all out as I had champagne with the seafood platter and profiteroles for desert. I am amazed I have not gained weight while here but I have walked and run more than usual so that might make up for it.

I am going to miss Toulouse but look forward to my return in 2025. Just need to figure out the best way to make it happen and figure it all out – visas, taxes, etc.

Tomorrow is a travel day so I will probably not be posting until I am back in Alexandria.