Le Busca district

History of Busca

Between the Garonne and the Canal du Midi, a neighbor of the Carmelites at the foot of the Côte Pavée hillside, the Busca district takes its name from an old estate: on the site of the Henry-Russel square, in the 18th century, a vast smallholding, owned by the Busca family. In the 19th century, the estate was one of the most beautiful pleasure craft residences in the Toulouse suburbs, with an avenue of poplars still visible on rue Edouard Branly and a prestigious landscaped park. It then belonged to the Marquis de Castellane. After being submerged by the waters of the Canal du Midi in 1841, the estate was finally divided up and acquired in part by the city of Toulouse, in part by private investors. The castle of Busca was destroyed in 1859. At the end of the 19th century, the district thus saw the construction on the former grounds of the domain of bourgeois villas of heterogeneous style, among which many Art Deco and Art Nouveau residences. The latter coexist with traditional Toulouse in pink bricks.

The essentials of the Busca district

In the heart of Toulouse, south of the Capitol, the Busca district is home to several must-see sites in the city. It is renowned for being the Jardin des Plantes district, the green lung of the historic center since the 18th century. There is therefore also the Toulouse Natural History Museum and the Quai des Savoirs multicultural center. On the banks of the Canal du Midi, to the south-east of the Jardin des Plantes, is also the Georges-Labit museum, which brings together a rich collection of art objects from ancient cultures from the Far East. The building is also remarkable: the neo-Moorish architectural style villa has a pleasure garden open to the public which is home to many exotic and Mediterranean species. Finally, in the Busca district is the emblematic Sorano theater, inaugurated in 1964 and housed in the former 19th auditorium of the Toulouse museum.

Living in the Busca district

The Busca district is very popular for its ideal location in the heart of the historic city center of Toulouse and for its relaxing living environment. The presence of the large Jardin des Plantes and the landscaped gardens of the Georges-Labit or Monplaisir museum is a major asset for the inhabitants who benefit from the numerous green spaces for relaxation and walking. The district bordered by the Canal du Midi also offers a rich cultural life to its residents with its museums, its theater and its proximity to the Capitol. The quality of life it offers in the heart of the city attracts families as well as students and seniors. Its residential streets are home to sublime mansions with gardens adorning the decor. The most diverse architectures come together, contributing to the charm and unique aesthetic of the district. The Busca is very well served by public transport, crossed by bus lines L7 and 44 and bordered by line B of the Toulouse metro.