If you're visiting Tours, don't miss a visit to the cathedral! A true treasure of the city, it will delight architecture and history enthusiasts and art lovers alike. In addition to its typically Gothic composition, this religious building boasts an incredible collection of stained glass windows and a peaceful cloister.
In this article, we'll fill you in on the latest discoveries and anecdotes about this unusual monument! You'll also find all our tips and photos to help you visit Saint-Gatien Cathedral in Tours.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit Tours Cathedral?
Is Saint-Gatien Cathedral worth it? Our opinion:
Located right in the center of town, this majestic building is well worth a visit for its dazzling collection of stained glass windows . In addition to its 13th-century stained glass windows, Tours Cathedral is one of the very first religious monuments in France to feature a series of contemporary stained glass windows, which we found magnificent.
Located in the heart of Tours, in one of the most beautiful cities on the Loire, Saint-Gatien Cathedral is also the perfect place to take a peaceful break and stroll through its peaceful cloister. Listed as a Monument Historique, it is the only cloister still preserved of all the cathedrals in the Centre-Val de Loire region!
What's Tours Cathedral famous for?
Because it's one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the Centre-Val de Loire region! We were amazed by its beauty, as impressive on the outside, with its majestic Gothic façade, as it is on the inside, with its vibrant collection of stained glass windows.
Cathédrale Saint-Gatien is also renowned for its architectural testimony. Four centuries of architecture await you: from the Romanesque base, to the radiant and then flamboyant Gothic ornamentation, to the Renaissance towers built around 1547. In short, there's something for everyone!
Finally, the cathedral is also famous for inspiring Balzac, the emblematic 14th-century novelist. A leader of realism, he made his mark with his masterpiece, La Comédie Humaine. A native of Tours, he couldn't resist sketching the superb Cathédrale Saint-Gatien! In this article, you'll find a few quotes from our illustrious author.
Our favorite moments
The cathedral is admirable both inside and out, but here are our favorites from our visit:
- At the risk of repeating ourselves, for us, the discovery of the stained glass collection is a must at Tours Cathedral. Our favourites? Those of the choir, truly impressive when the light shines through them. Believe us, you won't be able to resist their magic!
- The cloister's panoramic terrace offers another view of the cathedral. We particularly enjoyed getting up high and appreciating the architectural harmony of the cathedral, despite the changes it has undergone over the ages.
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
History in brief
Today's cathedral is the successor to three buildings:
- Around 338: Saint Lidoire, bishop of Tours, builds the first cathedral.
- 372: Saint Martin succeeds Saint Lidoire, hence the many motifs associated with this saint that you'll come across again and again during your visit!
- 590: Bishop Gregory of Tours rebuilds the cathedral and dedicates it to Saint Maurice.
- 1125-1150: Reconstruction in the Anjou style.
It wasn't until 1236, after a series of changes and fires (558, 1167), that work began on the cathedral as we know it today. They were commissioned thanks to the generosity of Saint Louis, Capetian King of France, and his mother, Blanche of Castile. The construction of the radiant choir dates from this period, and work will continue in this style:
- Around 1450: Completion of the nave in the flamboyant style for the upper sections.
- 1450-1484: Construction of the facade in the same style.
- 1507: Completion of the Renaissance-style north tower.
- 1534-1547: The crowning of the south tower in the same style marks the cathedral's completion!
Cathédrale Saint-Gatien was listed as a historic monument in 1862 and has been restored many times since. Between 2009 and 2019, for example, the French government invested 6 million euros in renovations, and further investments are planned to preserve this heritage jewel.
How to get there: Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, Tours
Where is Tours Cathedral?
- In downtown Tours
- Entrance is at Place de la Cathédrale, rue Lavoisier
- The cathedral is a 5-minute walk from the Musée des Beaux-arts de Tours.
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.
How to get there?
From Tours train station, it's just an 11-minute walk to the cathedral.
Concerning public transport:
- The nearest bus stops are "Le Petit pré", "François Sicard" or "Lycée Courier" (line C1).
- Nearest streetcar stop: Nationale (line A)
To plan your itinerary, we recommend you visit the official website of the public transport network here.
Parking
If you're coming by car, you can park your vehicle on either side of the cathedral, on rue Fleury and rue de la Psalette, where numerous paying spaces are available, some of them handicapped. The Plaça des Turones parking lot is also a good alternative, and you can walk to the cathedral in just 3 minutes.
If you're coming by bike, you'll be delighted to find a number of bike stands in the cathedral square, just opposite the main entrance.
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
Practical tips: duration, timetables.
Best time to visit
As with all religious buildings, we advise you to avoid service times if you want to make the most of your visit. To find out more, visit the cathedral's official website here.
Otherwise, you can visit us at any time of day, as we are not overcrowded. However, for a quieter visit, we advise you to come at opening time or at lunchtime. A final tip: visit the cathedral when the sun is high, to enjoy the magnificent play of light through the stained glass windows. So you can have fun reproducing these kinds of photos!
Length of visit and main difficulties
We advise you to allow between 10 and 40 minutes for a tour of the cathedral, taking in its façade, admiring its stained glass windows and discovering its secrets, before finishing with a visit to the Psalette Cloister. The cloister, gardens and terrace are managed by the CMN (Centre des Monuments Nationaux), which regularly stages temporary exhibitions. This may make your visit a little longer. Find out more here.
After our visit, we walked around the cathedral to Place Grégoire de Tours to admire its chevet (see photo below). We particularly liked this viewpoint and recommend this step aside!
Saint-Gatien Cathedral is suitable for people with reduced mobility and baby carriages (the entrance gate is accessible and the aisles are wide enough to move around). The cloister has a special tour program, which you can find here.
Advice on how to visit
The building has no specific itinerary, but for architectural purists, we recommend following a chronological route, from the oldest to the most recent. For this reason, we advise you to make your visit in the following order:
- Start directly with the 13th-century choir and ambulatory chapels,
- Retrace your steps and admire the 14th-century nave and transept,
- Round off your visit with a tour of the cloister. Although it was already the workplace of the canons in the Middle Ages, the buildings you can see today were only constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries.
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Schedules and rates
Saint-Gatien Cathedral is open to visitors every day from 08:30 to 18:30. Access is free of charge.
The Cloître de la Psalette is only accessible from inside the cathedral. Cloister opening times vary according to the following, and please note that access is closed 15 minutes before closing time.
- March1 to May 3: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- May 4 to September 7: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
- September 8 to October 31: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- November 1to February 28: 9.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 5pm
Closing of the Cloister:
- January1, May1, November 11 afternoon and December 25.
- Sunday mornings all year round, Mondays and Tuesdays fromOctober 1to March 31.
Tip: if you arrive in the afternoon, you may want to start with the cloister.
Access to the Cloître de la Psalette, on the other hand, is subject to a charge, as follows:
- Individuals: €5
- Free: under 18s, students, unemployed, disabled persons and accompanying adult
Guided tours
Saint-Gatien's Cathedral does not offer guided tours, but you can book group tours (minimum 6 people) in French or English with the Présence Cathédrale association by clicking here. Otherwise, the association's mediators are present in the cathedral from Easter weekend to November 11 (date of the winter Saint-Martin's Day), on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm and from 3pm to 5pm.
We also recommend that you take the time to read the many explanatory charts scattered around Saint-Gatien Cathedral, particularly those that explain in detail the symbolism of the stained glass windows.
Catering
Tours is a gourmet city with a varied choice of restaurants from different horizons. Here's a small selection while we wait for our article on the city's best restaurants (coming soon!).
If you want to eat close to the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, we'd advise you to do so:
- La Boulangerie de la Scellerie: just a 3-minute walk from the cathedral, this traditional bakery offers a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, quiches and pastries. We recommend you take the whole lot with you for an impromptu picnic in the nearby Jardin François Sicard.
- Restaurant Makeda: just a 4-minute walk from the cathedral, this Ethiopian restaurant serves delicious, perfectly seasoned dishes. Don't miss their freshly roasted, invigorating coffee!
Stunning architecture
As soon as we arrived in the cathedral square, we were struck by the beauty of its façade and the abundance of its ornamentation. But what makes it truly unique is the mix of styles it proudly sports!
A complex facade
This entrance alone represents 4 centuries of architecture, from the 12th to the 15th century. We immediately spotted the flamboyant Gothic style, with its flame decoration, slender arches and two 70-meter-high vertical towers. However, if you look closely, these towers are not topped with spires, as the Middle Ages would have it, but with domes. This stylistic effect is typical of the Renaissance period, during which they were modified. Likewise, the contrast between the sumptuous front decor and the sleekness of the tower, hidden behind it, the only vestige of the cathedral's Romanesque period, is striking. We were amazed at how well these different architectural layers coexisted!
Before entering the building, we spent a good while admiring the fine stonework that lines the entire edifice. The reason it's so finely chiselled is that it was built from very soft limestone, tuffeau, also used for the chateaux of the Loire Valley.
We also took time to observe the abundance of detail on the facade, stopping to consider the voussoirs of the three portals that pierce the base. In addition to the friezes of plants that seem to intertwine endlessly, we particularly liked the thirty statues of bishops and saints that hang there. They were remade in the 19th century by sculptor Pierre Damien, as most of the original statuettes were destroyed during the Wars of Religion or the French Revolution.
A grandiose interior
The interior of Cathédrale Saint-Gatien is typically Gothic, with a well-developed choir, exceptional stained glass windows and a string of columns. As you enter the cathedral, you'll be struck by the impressive network of arches that irrigate it. To describe it, Balzac speaks of a "forest of assembled columns" or even "an elegant labyrinth" in his work Jésus Christ en Flandre,(1846). This idea of a maze is surely due to the length of the nave, which reaches 100 meters with its 8 bays, and the arrangement of its 29-meter-high pillars rising in a single jet from the floor to the vaults. This accentuates the idea of unity and slenderness, especially as the elevation is on three levels. We ourselves experienced the sense of immensity described by the author as we walked along the nave.
Light is also an essential component of Saint-Gatien Cathedral. In this image, you can see the jets of light escaping from the triforium, the narrow galleries typical of Gothic architecture, just above the arcades. We loved the sense of purity it gave off. Finally, from the choir, we recommend you contemplate the incredible perspective offered by the nave, which ends with a shaft of light at sunset.
A unique cloister
For us, the cloister of the Psalette is the highlight of the show at Saint-Gatien's Cathedral! It takes its name from the Psalette (from the Latin psallere, to sing psalms), a music school adjoining the cathedral that went by this name. Between the 5th and 10th centuries, the cloister was the workplace of the canons (religious who lived in community in a cathedral), but the version we're strolling through today dates from the 15th century. After visiting the three galleries, we enjoyed a timeless break in the gardens.
We then took the magnificent spiral staircase. Restored in 1998, it is said to have been built in the 16th century by architect Bastien François, as a replica of the Château de Blois. Upstairs, you can see the scriptorium, a room dedicated to the manuscript writing for which the canons of Saint-Gatien were renowned, and their bookshop, which preserved the chapter books.
Our favorite part? Enjoy breathtaking views of the cathedral from the panoramic terrace. A mysterious atmosphere emanates from this traverse, where the legacy of time is palpable. Watch out for the gargoyles watching you!
While we loved our serene experience in the cloister, Balzac depicts it quite differently in his work Le Curé de Tours , published in 1832. He drew inspiration from it for the décor of a house adjoining the cathedral, where two priests quarrel. And, it seems, he doesn't see it the same way we do!
Judge for yourself: "This place is a desert of stones, a solitude full of physiognomy, and which can only be inhabited by beings who have either reached complete nullity or are gifted with prodigious fortitude." Fortunately, this point of view is fictional, and there's no doubt that you, like us, will be charmed by this little haven of peace in the middle of Tours! In fine weather, deckchairs are even available for longer strolls.
The jewel of Tours Cathedral: its stained glass windows
The cathedral's stained glass windows are a veritable painting of light, and well worth a visit to Tours. Take the time to appreciate each of their color variations and read their dedicated explanatory labels to learn more about their specific symbolism.
The choir windows
The 800m2 of stained glass in the cathedral's choir can truly be described as a jewel. Looking at this dazzling palette is enough to make you dizzy! This is one of the finest examples of 13th-century medallion stained glass in Europe! Perfectly intact and complete, they fascinated us with their brilliance and striking color play.
The roses
Take the time to admire the different motifs that adorn the three roses and make the cathedral's interior come alive! You'll see cross petals, shamrocks and quatrefoils. Despite the fact that two centuries separate the sunset rose (15th century) from the roses in the transept (18th century), the harmony of colors is spot on.
To capture their splendor, who better than the illustrious Balzac: "The lace of the roses suddenly shone. Every vein, every carved edge, the smallest line became silver. The sun lit fires in all the stained glass windows, whose rich colors twinkled like stars." (Source: Jesus Christ in Flanders, 1846).
Contemporary stained glass
First, in the north arm of the transept, you'll discover nearly 200m2 of stained glass created in 2011 by artist Gérard Collin-Thiébaut and master glassworker Pierre-Alain Parot. We particularly liked the artist's decision to blend religious iconography with contemporary representation. If you look closely, you'll see the dialogue between the photographs of passers-by that the artist has observed in the vicinity of the cathedral and the figure of Saint-Martin that he has reproduced.
We were pleasantly surprised to see how well these contemporary stained glass windows complemented the medieval windows in the triforium and rose on the north façade. However, this stained glass creation was based on technical innovations such as glass printing technology and computer assistance. It just goes to show that the art of stained glass knows how to renew itself and endure!
We particularly liked the stained glass window above. Not only do red and blue vibrate in unison for a dazzling contrast, but the association of symbols is also very strong. Indeed, under the red spot, you can first make out the infamous procession of homeless tents on Paris's Canal Saint-Martin. Just above, the red-orange sun symbolizes the miracle of Saint Martin's globe of fire. He is said to have been crowned with this globe after stripping off his clothes to clothe a beggar just before officiating mass. We thought it would be a good idea to bring together a religious episode from the past and at the same time encapsulate a social phenomenon of the early 21st century, namely extreme precariousness. Could this be a hidden message from the artist to encourage people to help each other?
Then, in the cloister library, you'll find stained glass windows created in 1960 by master glassworker Max Ingrand. They represent a modernized vision of the "liberal arts", disciplines such as rhetoric and astronomy that were taught in the Middle Ages. Why is this? To recall the original function of this cloister, which housed a music school where young choirboys were trained.
A cathedral full of surprises
Tours Cathedral will surprise you with the little details you'll find along the way. Keep your eyes peeled!
The royal tomb
In the first south chapel of the ambulatory, you'll find the royal tomb. Carved in Carrara marble around 1500, it houses the remains of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany's two children, Charles and Charles-Orland. Initially installed in the Basilique Saint-Martin, it only moved to Tours Cathedral in 1834, spared from the Revolution thanks to its beauty. It is recognized as a major work!
What did we like in particular? The stylistic mix of this tomb with:
- On the one hand, the macabre realism of these small recumbent figures by sculptor Michel Colombe, in the pure French tradition that has its roots in the medieval age.
- On the other, the finesse of the decorations, typical of the Italian Renaissance of the 15th century: winged paws, dolphins at the corners, vegetal frescoes and "putti", little naked angels. The vat is by Jerome de Fiesole, brought back by King Charles VIII from his Italian campaign.
The altar
Consecrated in 2018, this altar is worth a look for the purity of its stone (a monolithic block of marble limestone from Burgundy) and its engraved motif. Created by artist-sculptor Alicia Drouillet, it depicts 8-petal Gothic roses, a motif identical to that spotted by architects in various parts of the cathedral (notably the façade towers) and replicated here for symbolism.
We loved the contrast between the delicacy of this engraving and the mass of this altar, which weighs almost 2800kg when hollowed out! A pretty Latin cross hides in the middle of this subtle damask. Unlike the photo above, where it appears to be highlighted, you'll need to pay close attention to distinguish it.
Frescoes and other remarkable features
Another special feature of the cathedral is its frescoes! They covered the entire wall in the 13th century, and despite successive vandalizations, some have been preserved. One of the chapels in the ambulatory features the"Charity of Saint-Martin", a major motif in Christian iconography. It features the figure of Saint Martin (circa 316-397), cutting off his cloak to share with a beggar.
Two details surprised us: the fact that Saint Martin is on horseback and that he carries a sword. Indeed, at the time of this episode, he was a young legionary in the service of the Roman Empire, not yet baptized. It was only the following night, when Christ appeared to him in the guise of a beggar, that he decided to convert and dedicate his life to the Faith. We were overwhelmed to see this heritage, almost intact, and to learn more about its religious origins!
In addition to our favorites detailed above, you'll also find..:
Le Tabernacle de Chambord: Dating from the 17th century, it was confiscated during the French Revolution, then donated by Louis XVIII to the Carmelite monastery in Créteil, before arriving at Chambord in 1963. Its size (1.80 m high by 2.70 m long) is exceptional, given that its sole purpose is to hold the ciborium, with the hosts consecrated at Mass. Located in one of the choir chapels, you'll also notice its delicate craftsmanship, the structure being made of oak but veneered with ebony and ivory.
The Great Organ: located in the south arm of the transept, you won't want to miss it! It was donated in 1468 by Hélie de Bourdeilles, Archbishop of Tours, before being adorned in 1521 with a dozen cherubs. We loved the contrast between the lustrous wood and the glass in the rose window just behind it! We invite you to take a look at the details of the entire woodwork, as since 1984, the oak buffet and its 818 antique pipes have been listed as a "Monument Historique". And if you're lucky, you may be able to attend organ concerts in August and September (see here).
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Frequently asked questions
When to see the cathedral illuminated?
No information is given on the cathedral's official website, so we suggest you refer here to find out more from the Tours tourist office. Please note, however, that the cathedral is lit at dusk until 11pm all year round. So it may be worth coming back for a night-time visit from the outside!
What to do near the cathedral
There are many tourist attractions within easy reach of Cathédrale Saint-Gatien:
- Musée des beaux-arts de Tours: housed in the former bishop's palace, this museum boasts a varied collection of works ranging from Antiquity to contemporary art (see our dedicated article soon).
- The Château de Tours: a majestic 15th-century building in dialogue with photography exhibitions from the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris (see our dedicated article coming soon).
- The botanical garden: a wonderful natural setting for a break in your day of sightseeing! (see our dedicated article coming soon)
To find out more about the mysteries of the city of Tours and explore its nooks and crannies, you can book a tour of its historic center: See prices and availability.
Tours is also an ideal city for those wishing to visit the Loire Valley and its castles, including the famous Château de Chambord, for which you can book a guided day tour from Tours: See prices and availability.
And if you're in the mood for a bucolic jaunt, check out our article on the 12 most beautiful villages in the Loire Valley here.
Why Saint-Gatien?
The cathedral was originally called Saint-Maurice! It was so named as early as 590, when Bishop Gregory of Tours decided to rebuild it, and it was dedicated to Saint Maurice. Its reconstruction took so many centuries that the inhabitants of Tours invented the saying "as long as the construction of Saint-Maurice"! It wasn't until the 14th century that the name was changed to Saint Gatien, a bishop commissioned by Pope Fabien to evangelize Touraine around 250 AD.
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