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Tours

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Indre-et-Loire

Tours - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Indre-et-Loire
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Now the capital of Touraine, Tours was the capital of the kingdom of France in the 15th and 16th centuries. The city has kept many traces of its past and invites you to discover them. A very lively neighbourhood, the old town and its famous Place Plumereau are the beating heart of Tours. Lined with half-timbered houses and mansions, this pedestrian square is brimming with restaurants and cafés. Also discover the city's flagship monument, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Gatianus with a richly decorated Flamboyant façade. Inside, you can see a 13th-century choir, admire splendid stained glass windows from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, and see the tombs of the children of Charles VIII. Adjacent to the cathedral, the Psalette Cloister is composed of three galleries combining Flamboyant and Renaissance architecture. Tours' old town also includes the royal castle. One famous figure who spent time there was Joan of Arc, following her victory in Orleans. Today, it is a mecca for contemporary art.

Art and history enthusiasts should check out the city's various museums. Situated in the Goüin mansion with its Renaissance architecture, the Touraine Archaeological Museum documents the history of the region from Prehistory to the 18th century. The Museum of Fine Arts is located in the former Archbishops' Palace and exhibits works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. If you are a lover of fine vintages, the Touraine Wine Museum should appeal to you.

Then enjoy a little free time in one of the city's green spaces. The lush, verdant Prébendes d'Oé garden is ideal for a stroll. It is one of six Touraine gardens classified as "Remarkable Gardens". The Gloriette Park, meanwhile, is ideal for various outdoor activities and hosts many events such as the kite festival or music festivals.

We cannot talk about Tours without mentioning its wide range of entertainment for visitors. For instance the Light Trail (Parcours Lumière): over one kilometre, illuminated monuments tell the history of the city. In the summer, the Renaissance Nights offer a sound and light show projected onto the façades of the Museum of Fine Arts. Also worth mentioning is the summer guinguette (open-air café event) with its range of entertainment for young and old alike, which is always a great success.

Additional information
Tours

City Tours is situated on the banks of the royal river, in the heart of the Loire Valley World Heritage listed by UNESCO. Capital of the kingdom from 1450 to 1550, the city of Gauls, The Turones, has never ceased to grow demographically and economically.

Originally small Gallo-Roman town perched on a hill protected from river floods, the city of Tours will spread more and more to join the Cher (a tributary of the Loire flowing 3 km further south) . With its port, the city of Tours will acquire great wealth allowing him to build one of the largest basilicas of the age: the Basilica of St. Martin. Destroyed, the fact remains today that two traces, the two towers: the Clock in the West, where stood the entrance, and Charlemagne Tower, 100 meters to the east, in the rue des Halles, paver color symbolize the floor where the pillars that supported the building.

Top Christian pilgrimage during the Middle Ages, the cult of St. Martin will give the city an international reputation. And through waterways (mainly the Loire), the influx of many craftsmen will give rise to huge fairs.

During the Renaissance, Tours and the Loire Valley in general will be the center of the kingdom of France, geographically, culturally, economically and politically. Also becoming a mecca for leather tanning.

Aristocratic city in the empire, here and there with beautiful homes will be built in the district including Prébendes.

The arrival of the train will cause many changes in economic and philosophical. Station and City Hall were built by the famous architect Victor Laloux (he has also the Gare d'Orsay in Paris, now converted into a Museum of Arts of the nineteenth).

Partly destroyed during the Second World War, the city will benefit from American assistance for the reconstruction of the city, in honor of this precious help, the old stone bridge rebuilt by the GI's will be renamed Wilson Bridge, the behalf of the President of the United States at the time (also located on the fountains and other library are gifts from the USA). Will follow the war boom and major urban projects of the iconic mayor (and deputy minister) Jean Royer: Congress Centre Vinci, HLM banks of the Cher, Two Lions Technopole.

Nougat (round cake made with almonds and candied fruit) is a specialty of the city. The other specialty is rillette Tours.

Things to see and do

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Fast-track admission to the Château d'Azay le Rideau and its English gardens
Culture and education13 € Tours
Discovery Day in a Minibus : Châteaux d'Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord & Clos Lucé – Leaving from Tours
Culture and education173 € Tours
Excursion to the Langeais, Ussé, Azay-le-Rideau & Villandry Châteaux in a Minibus – Departing from Tours
Culture and education165 € Tours
Minibus Excursion to the Châteaux de Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Amboise, Wine Cellar and Visit to the Villandry Gardens – Leaving from Tours
Culture and education173 € Tours
The Unmissable Châteaux of Chenonceau, Amboise, Chambord & Cheverny - Departing from Tours
Culture and education165 € Tours
Minibus Excursion to the Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, and Chambord Châteaux and Visit to the Villandry Gardens – Leaving from Tours
Culture and education165 € Tours

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments
Performance halls
Transport

Events and festivities

Foire de Tours
Vitiloire - Annual Loire Wine Festival
Festival Aucard

Detailed information

VitiLoire
A fun and festive wine tourism event to discover the wines of the LoireMay 2024
Vines, wines and hikes in the Loire Valley
A wine tourism event combining hiking, sightseeing and fine foodSeptember 2024
Touraine Loire Valley Marathon
An accessible marathon for all on the banks of the LoireSeptember 2024

Photos

Facade of the Museum of Fine Arts of Tours
Facade of the Museum of Fine Arts of Tours
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The castle and the cathedral
The castle and the cathedral
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Cathedral
Cathedral
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Interior of the cathedral
Interior of the cathedral
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Bridge over the Loire
Bridge over the Loire
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Half-timbered houses
Half-timbered houses
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Christmas at Tours
Christmas at Tours
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Collection of the museum (© CFA de Tours)
Collection of the museum (© CFA de Tours)
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Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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