Is Tours worth a visit? Need some inspiration to plan your weekend or vacation in the Loire Valley?
Discover the gentle way of life in Touraine with a visit to the charming town of Tours. From heritage treasures to tranquil gardens and captivating museums, there's something for everyone! You'll love wandering through its medieval streets , or getting lost on one of the many walks along the Loire.
In this article, we give you our 9 reasons to go to Tours, and a few points to keep in mind.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Tours worth a visit?
You bet! Tours is a charming town on a human scale, and the perfect destination for a weekend combining culture and nature, thanks to its rich heritage and numerous green spaces.
Tours is also the ideal starting point for discovering the famous chateaux of the Loire Valley. Add an enchanted dimension to your stay! And if you're still not convinced, Tours is one of our top 15 cities in the Loire Valley!
WHERE TO STAY IN Tours
In the city center
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Hotel Ferdinand - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hôtel du Cygne - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel L'Adresse - check prices, pictures and availability
Near the station and around the city center
An early train? Or just a little more peace and quiet? Here are our recommendations:
- Hotel Les Trésorières - 5 stars - check prices, pictures and availability
- Aparthotel Central Parc Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Oceania L'Univers Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
In the countryside around
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Tours? Here's our suggestion:
- Hotel Domaine de la Tortinière - 20 min away - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Troglododo - unusual 25min away - check prices, pictures and availability
Reason 1: For its majestic cathedral
If you're visiting Tours, you won't want to miss the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the Centre-Val de Loire region. You'll see it from afar with its magnificent Gothic facade, but what will really win you over is its collection of dazzling stained glass windows.
Finally, if you visit the Cathedral, don't miss its peaceful Cloître de la Psalette. With its pretty garden, spiral staircase and gargoyles, it's the ideal place for a timeless stopover in the heart of the city.
Our favorite part? Enjoy breathtaking views of the cathedral from the panoramic terrace. Listed as a Monument Historique, it is the only cloister still preserved among all the cathedrals in the Centre-Val de Loire region!
Reason 2: For its museums
If you're an art lover, you won't be disappointed, as Tours' cultural offering is as varied as it is delightful! If you're having trouble making a choice, check out our article on Tours' most beautiful museums soon!
If you're a fan of contemporary art, you'll want to check it out:
- Château de Tours: since 2010, in collaboration with Paris's renowned Jeu de Paume museum, the château has hosted temporary exhibitions of contemporary photography by major artists (photo below).
- The Centre Olivier Debré or CCC OD: A distinctive building in Tours' architectural landscape, the center hosts temporary exhibitions and regularly showcases the works of 20th-century French abstract painter Olivier Debré.
- Hôtel Goüin: Behind the Renaissance facade, sculpted around 1510, are eclectic exhibitions of contemporary art.
But if you prefer more classic museums, you can choose between the Natural History Museum or the magnificent Fine Arts Museum.
Located in the former episcopal palace, it houses a formidable collection of paintings, sculptures and furniture from Antiquity to the 21st century.
For those who love originality, we recommend the astonishing Musée du Compagnonnage, which preserves the memory of arts and crafts through a collection of precious tools and objects. Look out for our article on this museum very soon.
To enjoy the city to the full, opt for the City Pass here, which opens the doors to more than 8 of the city's leading monuments and museums, and offers discounts on public transport.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Reason 3: For its castles
First of all, Tours has its own castle! Although its foundations date back to Antiquity, it was only in the Middle Ages that it became a veritable fortress. Only the governors' residence and the medieval Guise Tower remain from this era, but you can discover the full story in the museum. A permanent room is also dedicated to the history of the city's construction, illustrated by a rich archaeological collection from excavations carried out in Tours.
Look out for our article on the château in the near future.
The city of Tours is also a perfect spot to visit the chateaux of the Loire Valley. Discover our article on the most beautiful castles around Tours before you buy your tickets:
- Château de Chambord
- Chenonceau Castle
- The Château d'Amboise
Finally, if you're looking for a unique experience, you can organize a day trip from Tours for a combined visit to the Châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau, and relax in between with a royal lunch at another château.
See prices and availability.
Reason 4: For its rich heritage
The diversity of buildings and architectural styles over the centuries makes Tours a captivating destination for history buffs. The city's magnificent religious buildings, such as the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, the Romanesque Basilique Saint Martin and the Eglise Saint-Julien, bear witness to Tours' importance in history.
In addition to its religious heritage, Tours also boasts a number of historic buildings, including the 12th-century Tour Charlemagne (photo below), whose architecture is a blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements. The Hôtel de Ville is an 18th-century building in the classical style designed by Victor Laloux, also responsible for the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Finally, you can discover other elegant and picturesque facades as you stroll through Vieux-Tours.
And if you want to learn all about the many secrets of Tours, including the many details of its buildings, we recommend a guided tour of its historic center. See prices and availability.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
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Reason 5: For its peaceful atmosphere
It's great to stroll along the banks of the Loire! The city of Tours is well aware of this, with numerous facilities designed to encourage walking. Quite simply, we often felt as ifwe were in the countryside right in the heart of the city!
Another strong argument is that Tours is no slouch when it comes to green spaces! There are 10 parks and gardens to choose from for a bucolic break. We particularly liked it:
- Le Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé: for its lush, free-form vegetation, its charming bandstand, and because this English-style garden is listed as remarkable!
- Le Jardin du Musée des Beaux-Arts: for its perfectly trimmed French-style architecture and the magnificent Lebanese cedar at the entrance.
- Jardin François Sicart: for its beautiful water features (streams, waterfalls, ponds) and elegant appearance.
- The Botanical Garden: for its arboretum, its tropical greenhouses and the species that live there. The day we went there, we met a beautiful pink flamingo! Article to come very soon.
Reason 6: For its charming historic center
We couldn't recommend Tours without mentioning its incredible historic center. With its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and charming little squares, Vieux-Tours offers a picturesque , unspoilt atmosphere.
If you want to immerse yourself in the medieval theme, you can opt for a dramatized, immersive tour. See prices and availability.
In addition to this absolutely captivating period setting, you'll discover as you wander around that Tours is also a very lively town , with craft stores and lively cafés.
And don't forget to take a tour of the city by night! Many buildings are illuminated, allowing you to rediscover Tours in a whole new light.
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Reason 7: For its gourmet addresses
Tours is the perfect city for epicureans! Firstly, because the city boasts its own specialities, such as IGP rillette de Tours, andouillette au Vouvray and nougât de Tours. If you want to stock up on good produce, take a trip to Les Halles de Tours (website here). In addition to a host of enthusiastic retailers, you'll find exhibitions, discovery workshops and tastings.
Located in the Loire Valley, Tours is also a city proud of its wine reputation, so you'll find a varied choice of nectars on the restaurant menu to accompany your dishes. And there's no shortage of good wineries in the city!
If you'd like to go further, the town offers excursions to the surrounding vineyards to work on your palate. See prices and availability.
Finally, it's impossible to talk about gastronomy in Tours without highlighting the richness and diversity of its restaurants. From intimate bistros to Michelin-starred establishments, they celebrate regional cuisine to perfection! And if you, too, would like to enjoy a culinary experience with a change of scenery, check out our dedicated article on the best restaurants in Tours (coming soon).
Reason 8: For its bucolic escapes
As you've already seen, Tours is a great city for walking.
But if you're looking for a visit off the beaten track, we recommend the Prieuré Saint-Cosme, just 25min from Tours by public transport. A true heritage treasure, the estate is distinguished by its incredible collection of soothing gardens and its trail centered around the poetry of 16th-century poet Ronsard. Read our article dedicated to this unique and serene place here.
Last but not least, Tours is on the doorstep of several villages classified as France's Most Beautiful Villages, including Montrésor (photo below), Crissay-sur-Manse and Candes-Saint-Martin. If you're having trouble choosing between these pretty hidden spots, don't hesitate to read our article dedicated to the most beautiful villages in the Loire Valley here.
Reason 9: For its roots in the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for the beauty of its landscapes, majestic châteaux and vineyards.
Tours is perfectly situated between all these points of interest:
- 30 minutes from the Châteaux of Villandry, Amboise or Azay-Le-Rideau
- Not far from several country footpaths
- A 20-minute drive from the Vouvray vineyards.
From Tours, discover exhilarating wine tours!
See prices and availability.
The town also lies on the legendary Loire à Vélo cycle route(website here). You can also enjoy some great bike rides around the city.
So Tours seems like the ideal place to plan your vacation in the Loire Valley! In our opinion, this town is a must-see in the region!
DISCOVER Tours
- Things to do in Tours
- Where to sleep in Tours: best hotels
- Where to eat in Tours: best restaurants - coming soon
- Rent a car in Tours
- Best castles around Tours
- Visit the Tours Museum of Fine Arts - coming soon
- Visit the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours - coming soon
- Visit the Botanical Garden of Tours - coming soon
- Visit Saint-Gatien Cathedral
- Visit the Companionship Museum - coming soon
Some disadvantages of a trip to Tours
Rates
Despite the growing importance of Tours, it remains a very affordable city for travelers. Beware, however, of the high season (between May and August), when castle tours and festivals intensify and prices soar.
The hotel offer is very dense, with a few rare addresses, so we recommend booking well in advance.
We prefer the booking platform because it offers a wide choice of accommodations and the calendars are updated in real time.
If you want to simplify your choice of hotels, read our dedicated article here.
Tourists
The towns of the Loire Valley are popular destinations the world over. As mentioned above, the summer season is very busy with tourists, so the number of visitors can be quite high. Also note that Tours hosts its Foire and a fête forraine in May, and that numerous music festivals are scheduled (see here) in the surrounding area between June and September.
If you're not particularly interested and prefer to avoid the crowds both on foot and by car, we'd advise you to discover Tours out of season.
If you're a fan of the "Magic of Christmas", we recommend that you visit the chateaux of the Loire Valley at this time of year, and land in Tours to enjoy them out of season! See prices and availability.
Weather
When the weather's nice, we recommend that you come and enjoy the city of Tours, especially as its many gardens can cool you off in the heat.
However, the climate remains mild all year round and very pleasant throughout the Loire Valley region, so come whenever you like!
Parking and traffic
If you're on foot, you'll be absolutely delighted to move around Vieux-Tours, which offers a serene flow of traffic (flat terrain, but cobbled streets), as well as along the Loire River, with its perfect facilities for strolling.
Note also that the city is calm thanks to its excellent public transport network (official website here), including its tramway which serves the city's outlying areas.
As the city is designed with pedestrians and cyclists in mind, you may find it more difficult to find parking spaces for your car in the city center. We therefore advise you to choose fully-equipped hotels.
How to get to Tours
By train
To get to Tours, you can opt for the train. The town is directly linked by TGV to several major French cities, including Paris (1h), Bordeaux (2h15) and Nantes (1h40).
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
By bike
Tours is within easy reach of the legendary Loire à Vélo cycle route(see our tips on how to get the most out of it!), and the city offers numerous facilities (cycle lanes, racks) for cycling within the city itself.
If you're simply looking for a day out, there are several signposted footpaths around the town and numerous bike rental companies in the town center.
Finally, if you prefer to be looked after, we recommend a bike tour from Tours to discover the Valley of the Kings and the magnificent Château de Chambord. See prices and availability.
By car
Tours is well served by a number of freeways: the A10 (between Paris and Bordeaux), the A28 (between Rouen and Tours) and the A85 (between Nantes and Bourges).
By bus
Tours is also served by coach from a number of French cities (including Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nantes) and European cities (Brussels, Barcelona and Turin). We think Tours is the perfect city for a 2-day city break, but if you're planning to explore the region and visit several of the Loire castles, we strongly advise you to opt for a car, to make it easier to get between each point of interest.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
