Rue Saint-Rome (Saint-Rome Street), Toulouse

Saint-Rome Street (Rue Saint-Rome) is a historic pedestrian lane in Toulouse, quite pleasant to spend an afternoon shopping and snacking one's way from the Capitol down to Esquirol Street (Rue Esquirol). This thoroughfare, bustling with an array of stores, is lined with opulent facades of private mansions and merchant buildings dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries, reflecting the wealth of Toulouse's bourgeoisie. The architectural highlights here include the towers of the Serta and Roguier buildings (at No. 2 and No. 30, respectively), as well as the Comère and Comynihan hotels (at No. 3 and No. 21), symbolizing their affluent residents who often achieved significant civic status.

The street's name has its roots in the 12th century, originally associated with the Saint-Romain church, and has always been a favorite place to do business. The first major guild to settle here, back in the mid 1200s, was that of the butchers. The fishmongers followed soon after, but they didn't last long because of the smell that the locals didn't like too much.

Leather workers, who came afterwards, passed the smell test and were later joined by other artisans. From the 16th century onward, the street was firmly associated with the city’s merchant elite, including book printers and sellers, who established prestigious residences and participated actively in the vibrant trading tradition.

Multiple fires throughout the 15th and 16th centuries led to a shift from half-timbered houses to more durable brick structures. The street's socio-economic dynamics were further influenced by the French Revolution. During that period, in line with the nationwide trend, the street was briefly renamed Liberty Street (Rue de la Liberté). This name, however, didn't stick and in 1806 Saint-Rome Street reappeared.

In the 20th century, Saint-Rome Street continued to thrive as a commercial hub, influenced by nearby urban developments. It was designated as the city’s first one-way street in 1926 and continued evolving throughout the century with a focus on retail catering to younger demographics. The 21st century has seen the street adapt to changing commercial trends with the introduction of low-cost brands and mobile telephony shops. Saint-Rome's historical and cultural significance was officially recognized in 1986, ensuring its preservation as part of Toulouse’s remarkable heritage site.