Author: sarahcross1

Weekend Trips from Toulouse – Exploring the South of France

sarahcross1Leave a comment

by Sarah Cross, Sciences Po Toulouse, France

Despite the impact of the strikes (see my previous post!), the trains both within and beyond the Occitane region of France have allowed me and my friends to visit lots of other towns and cities nearby. To make it even better, at the start of each months, some of these regional trains cost only 1 euro!!! We recently made the most of this with a trip to Avignon, Nîmes and Montpellier.

Continue reading “Weekend Trips from Toulouse – Exploring the South of France” →

Demonstrations, Strikes and Blockages in Toulouse

sarahcross1Leave a comment

Sarah Cross, Sciences Po Toulouse, France

Macron’s controversial decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 certainly has not gone down too well with French workers, with strikes and protests occurring all over the city, and country, since January. An estimated 50,000-100,000 people have taken part in each of the marches in Toulouse alone, with an estimate of over 3 million across France. Whilst precise numbers are heavily debated between the police and the CGT (the main left wing trade union group), it has been impossible to ignore the impact this reform proposal has had on French society.

First Pension Reform Strike/ Demonstration – 19th January 2023
Continue reading “Demonstrations, Strikes and Blockages in Toulouse” →

A Day Trip To Montauban!

sarahcross1Leave a comment

By Sarah Cross, Sciences Po Toulouse, France

One of the best things available to us since being in Toulouse, is the €2 train tickets on many weekends. This means that, for such a small price, we are able to take the train around the Occitanie region (of which Toulouse is the capital). It is an initiative to encourage both public transport use, and tourism to the smaller parts of the region. I recently used this for a day out in the town of Montauban, about 40 minutes from Toulouse.

Continue reading “A Day Trip To Montauban!” →

Weekends and Days off in Toulouse!

sarahcross1Leave a comment

by Sarah Cross, Sciences Po Toulouse, France

Despite having more classes and a fuller timetable than I’m used to in Manchester (those 8:30am lectures will stop me from ever complaining about a 9am again!), there remains plenty of time to explore the beautiful city and surrounding areas. I’m lucky enough to also have Fridays off this Semester, giving me even more time to explore. I thought I’d tell you about some of my favourite things I’ve done outside of classes and the library in my first two months.

Continue reading “Weekends and Days off in Toulouse!” →

Bienvenue à Toulouse!

sarahcross1Leave a comment

By Sarah Cross, Sciences Po Toulouse, France

I’m Sarah and I’m a PPE student studying for a year at Sciences Po in Toulouse. After what feels like countless months of admin, forms and eventually obtaining a Visa, I finally arrived here to begin my placement. The French bureaucracy has meant nothing is straightforward (partially thanks to Brexit!), so it feels great to have now spent three weeks in the ‘Pink City’.

Continue reading “Bienvenue à Toulouse!” →