In this article, we give you our 9 reasons to go to Tours<\/strong>, and a few points to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n This guide is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n You bet! Tours is a charming<\/strong> town on a human scale, and the perfect destination<\/strong> for a weekend combining culture and nature<\/strong>, thanks to its rich heritage and numerous green spaces.<\/p>\n\n Tours is also the ideal starting point for discovering the famous chateaux <\/strong>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<\/a> Valley!<\/p>\n\n In the city center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Near the station and around the city center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An early train? Or just a little more peace and quiet? Here are our recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the countryside around<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Tours? Here's our suggestion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n See our reviews of the best hotels in Tours<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you're visiting Tours, you won't want to miss the Cath\u00e9drale Saint-Gatien<\/a>, considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the Centre-Val de Loire region<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n Finally, if you visit the Cathedral, don't miss its peaceful Clo\u00eetre de la Psalette<\/strong>. With its pretty garden, spiral staircase and gargoyles, it's the ideal place for a timeless stopover in the heart of the city. 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!<\/p>\n\n If you're a fan of contemporary art, you'll want to check it out:<\/p>\n\n But if you prefer more classic museums, you can choose between the Natural History Museum <\/strong>or the magnificent Fine Arts Museum<\/strong>. To enjoy the city to the full, opt for the City Pass here<\/a>, which opens the doors to more than 8 of the city's leading monuments and museums, and offers discounts on public transport.<\/p>\n\n See our tips<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n First of all, Tours has its own castle<\/strong>! 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. The city of Tours is also a perfect<\/strong> spot<\/strong> to visit the chateaux of the Loire<\/strong> Valley. Discover our article on the most beautiful castles around Tours<\/a> before you buy your tickets:<\/p>\n\n Finally, if you're looking for a unique experience<\/strong>, you can organize a day trip from Tours for a combined visit to the Ch\u00e2teaux of Chambord and Chenonceau<\/strong>, and relax in between with a royal lunch <\/strong>at another ch\u00e2teau. 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 Cath\u00e9drale Saint-Gatien<\/strong>, the <\/strong>Romanesque Basilique Saint Martin <\/strong>and the Eglise Saint-Julien<\/strong>, bear witness to Tours' importance in history.<\/p>\n\n In addition to its religious heritage, Tours also boasts a number of historic buildings, including the<\/strong> 12th-century Tour Charlemagne<\/strong> (photo below), whose architecture is a blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements. The H\u00f4tel de Ville<\/strong> is an 18th-century building in the classical style designed by Victor Laloux, also responsible for the Mus\u00e9e d'Orsay in Paris.<\/p>\n\n Finally, you can discover other elegant and picturesque facades as you stroll through Vieux-Tours<\/strong>. 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><\/p>\n\n All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley<\/strong> a success, will soon be gathered<\/strong> in a single ebook!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire<\/strong>, register:<\/p>\n\n\n![\"Why](\"https:\/\/loirelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/is-tours-worth-visiting.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nIs Tours worth a visit?<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Ville\/i-GT5BPVd\/0\/Qr4fPWPJ9bqBbP5gtNQd9whTHDNF3Gphx4GRw8dw\/L\/ville-tours-maisons-colombages-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Chateau-de-Villandry\/i-ndz4QVT\/0\/FCKtgTZWfVKLsh2C6BVV9ZB8GMcz9jHgZ2WJNQpF3\/L\/chateau-villandry-miroir-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWHERE TO STAY IN Tours<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/Tours\/Hotels\/n-CQn8Np\/Hotel-Ferdinand\/i-zPKQjzv\/0\/cd6e4227\/S\/hotel-ferdinand-chambre-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
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![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/Tours\/Hotels\/n-CQn8Np\/Hotels-Les-Tresorieres\/i-CgwWwfs\/1\/cbccb2ac\/S\/hotel-tresorieres-chambre-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
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![\"Domaine](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Dormir-hotel-chateau-loire\/i-dZckPLf\/1\/6b08b128\/S\/Hotel%20Chateau%20la%20Tortiniere-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nReason 1: For its majestic cathedral<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Cathédrale\/i-9BKmdRj\/0\/DmkNm3snm7rwFM7zXsZrzzDzSsjCsZrLnTf39HC6W\/L\/cathedrale-tours-vitraux-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Cathédrale\/i-mQQvrTb\/0\/D6s63KR6b3h9tt3vKgPzLCr26jvkZVDZJPnFsdk5R\/L\/cathedrale-tours-cloitre-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nReason 2: For its museums<\/h2>\n\n
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![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Ville\/i-n3vdD8t\/0\/DRmRF35mnsTpgMz3pNHcr3q2kFzzJjVgxKjR4R39n\/L\/chateau-tours-1-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Ville\/i-wqwLVHD\/0\/CRLc4XtZvbHV2hsjLp57wkJQPJ73c9JhVKnPGGmDw\/L\/musee-beaux-arts-tours-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nOUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loirelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/conduire_ville_loire.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/loirelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/ArrowRight.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nReason 3: For its castles<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Ville\/i-sg6QQtg\/0\/CM4K69ngPxB4BZBQhFnSj72rPPD27dhJCDM3SF2JZ\/L\/chateau-tours-L.jpg\")
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![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Chateau-de-Villandry\/i-CfqBFKf\/0\/FK6PrT2s5dBN5CgcLb8GJWdz7pT9pPhtPSbqCRjks\/L\/chateau-villandry-paysage-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nReason 4: For its rich heritage<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Ville\/i-vW3K6P9\/0\/DM2KSxgMF3R94W2t5JvM4hKBktfMrdSCNrc2vqLJf\/L\/eglise-saint-julien-tours-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Ville\/i-sqV63RJ\/0\/jKmpRCkWj8hmwndXqH7VSnQX9f37wz62hfFh63JD\/L\/vieux-tours-val-de-loire-centre-ville-2-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Detail](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Vallee-loire\/n-XkSzNF\/Tours\/Ville\/i-bVSPWph\/0\/D7D8vWpB2BX3DVdLk63G55254MMXVGzkHVRHZC725\/L\/centre-ville-%20détails-tours-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nA LITTLE MORE patience<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n