The Saint-Pierre square is the real place to be for Toulouse youth. A place to relax during the day, but also the place of all excesses, at night.
Wednesday evening, 8.10 P.M, sunset on Saint-Pierre square. In a corner of the stairs towards the Garonne, Yannick is playing samba with his guitar and a hat on his head. Many people pass behind him, joggers after work, students or tourists, often in groups.
Jacques, 40, came alone. « I’m in a photo club. This is the « blue » hour, the perfect moment to take pictures, » he says while, using his mobile phone.
« The barman can place a meter of shooters »
Everyone wants to find their happiness on Saint-Pierre square. At night, bars’ terraces and restaurants are even busier. Some have a voluntarily provocative name, like « Le saint des seins » , or « La couleur de la culotte » or a familiar name like « Chez tonton » . It’s the place of all excesses according to a customer, « the barman can place a meter of shooters ! » In a famous fast food, it’s quieter, but: « for me, it’s not calm, » said the waitress standing alone at this moment.
Time flies and people keep on enjoying their night at Saint Pierre square. « Chez tonton », people are singing Claude François, and « On va s’aimer », with no restrictions on drinks… that means alcohol.
« Thursday, friday and saturday night are worse »
Near the Garonne, Moustapha, 30, is waiting for his friend he was supposed to pick up. He thinks that, « it’s good to have fun, but people got to paid attention about what they’re doing when they’re drunk. »
When it is 2.30 A.M, « Chez tonton » closes. Hundreds of young people are released on the street. Dominique, 50, observes. He is a cityhall employee. He’s been cleaning the place for 14 years. He smiles, but doesn’t like the scene. « Today, it’s calm, he says. On thursday, friday and saturday night are worse. » Dominique is the father of six boys. None of them has their daddy approval to come here.
