Montaudran Airfield

The closure was primarily due to urban expansion and a major urban redevelopment project. The city of Toulouse had grown to completely surround the airfield, making its operations incompatible with the dense residential and commercial environment. The land was repurposed for the 'Toulouse Aerospace' (formerly Montaudran Aerospace) project, a large-scale urban renewal initiative aimed at creating a new district focused on aerospace research, culture, and housing. Industrial and aviation activities were consolidated at the larger, more modern Toulouse–Blagnac Airport (LFBO).

The site has been completely transformed into a new, vibrant urban district named 'Toulouse Aerospace'. The redevelopment project has carefully preserved the site's heritage while creating a modern, mixed-use neighborhood. Key features include:

- **La Piste des Géants (The Giants' Runway):** A significant portion of the historic runway has been preserved and converted into a 1.8 km long pedestrian and cycling promenade, serving as the central spine of the new district and a memorial to the pioneers.

- **L'Envol des Pionniers (The Flight of the Pioneers):** A museum located in some of the airfield's restored historic buildings, dedicated to the memory of Latécoère, Aéropostale, and its legendary pilots. It offers an immersive experience into the early days of airmail.

- **Halle de La Machine:** A major cultural attraction that houses the giant, moving, mechanical creatures created by François Delarozière and the 'La Machine' company. The famous Minotaur and other machines often perform on the old runway.

- **Innovation and Research:** The district is home to the B612 innovation center and other aerospace research facilities, continuing the site's legacy of technological advancement.

- **Urban Development:** The area also includes new residential housing, offices, shops, and public parks.

Montaudran Airfield is one of the most historically significant aviation sites in the world. Its importance is immense, particularly as the cradle of French commercial airmail services.

- **Birthplace of Aéropostale:** In 1917, industrialist Pierre-Georges Latécoère established aircraft factories and an airfield on the site. In 1918, he founded the 'Lignes Aériennes Latécoère', the pioneering airmail company that would later become the legendary 'Compagnie Générale Aéropostale' (Aéropostale). This company was the first to establish regular airmail routes between France, Spain, Morocco, West Africa, and eventually, South America.

- **Home of Aviation Legends:** Montaudran was the home base for some of history's most celebrated pilots. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (author of 'The Little Prince' and 'Night Flight'), Jean Mermoz, and Henri Guillaumet, among others, began their epic and often perilous journeys from this very runway, pushing the boundaries of aviation to connect continents.

- **Industrial Hub:** For decades, the site was a major center for aircraft manufacturing. It housed the factories of Latécoère and Breguet, and later served as a site for Airbus component assembly and modification, including work on the A300-600ST Super Transporter, known as the 'Beluga'.

In essence, Montaudran was the heart of the heroic era of French civil aviation, symbolizing innovation, adventure, and the human spirit of exploration.

There are zero prospects for the site to reopen as an airport. The land has been fundamentally and permanently redeveloped. The runway is now a public park and cultural space, and the surrounding area is densely built with residential, commercial, and research buildings. The infrastructure required for aviation has been completely removed and replaced, making any return to flight operations impossible.