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    Tours

    France

    Tours

    CityCulture

    Tours is a vibrant university city on the Loire and an excellent starting point for exploring the châteaux of the Touraine.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
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    5. France
    7. Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire)
    9. Tours
    Tours is a vibrant university city on the Loire and an excellent starting point for exploring the châteaux of the Touraine. Experience the city's history in the Old Town, especially around Place Plumereau with its half-timbered houses and café terraces. The Gothic Saint-Gatien Cathedral is known for its stained-glass windows. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is located right next door in the former Bishop's Palace. In the evenings, the terraces at Place Plumereau fill up. Spring and autumn are ideal for exploring the Old Town without large crowds.

    Sights in Tours

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Domaine Le Capitaine

    The Domaine Le Capitaine is situated in Rochecorbon, a few kilometers east of Tours in the Saint-Georges Valley, just a few hundred meters from the Loire. The estate cultivates around 28 hectares of vines on the first slopes of Rochecorbon, producing the full range of Vouvray: sparkling wines and still wines from dry to off-dry to sweet.Visitors can tour the cellars carved into the tuffeau stone, whose origins date back to the 11th century, and taste the wines. It is generally open from Monday to Saturday.Our Tip: Rochecorbon is located on the Loire à Vélo cycling route, and the ride from Tours by bike is short and flat.
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    2François 1er Garden

    The Jardin François 1er is a small public green space in the Old Town of Tours, just a few steps from Place Plumereau. It is named after King Francis I, who significantly promoted the Renaissance along the Loire. The garden offers a tranquil break amidst the alleys of the Old Town quarter. Our Tip: Combine this detour with a stroll through the half-timbered district around Place Plumereau.
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    Kathedrale von Tours

    3Kathedrale von Tours

    The Saint-Gatien Cathedral of Tours is a Gothic edifice that was constructed from the 13th to the 16th century. This is reflected in its various stylistic phases: the choir and apse are among the oldest parts; the west facade, with its rich sculptural ornamentation, is Late Gothic in the Flamboyant style; and the tower spires already date from the Renaissance. Inside, 13th-century stained-glass windows are preserved, especially in the choir, along with large rose windows. Our Tip: Come in the morning, when the sun shines through the east-facing choir windows.
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    Jardin botanique de Tours

    4Jardin botanique de Tours

    The Jardin botanique de Tours was founded in 1843 on the initiative of pharmacist Jean-Anthyme Margueron and financed by public subscription. Spanning around five hectares, you'll find an arboretum, thematic beds such as medicinal and aquatic plants, display greenhouses, and an orangery. Since 1863, a small animal area has also been part of the garden, making the visit interesting for families. Admission is free. Our tip: Plan your visit in spring or early summer, when most plants are in bloom.
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    Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé

    5Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé

    The Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé in Tours is a 19th-century landscape park. It was laid out in the 1870s by landscape architects Eugène and Denis Bühler in the style of an English landscape garden, featuring winding paths, lawns, mature trees, and a small pond. The name refers to the prebends (prébendes), meaning church lands, on which the park was established. It also features a bandstand and several statues.Our Tip: Located south of the train station, the park is perfect for a break or a picnic; it's quietest on weekday mornings.
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    City walks in Tours

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Kulinarisches & Kreatives Tours: Vom Markt zu den Gärten des Westens

    Entfliehen Sie dem historischen Zentrum und tauchen Sie ein in das lebendige Alltagsleben von Tours. Dieser Spaziergang führt Sie durch das pulsierende Herz der lokalen Kulinarik, enthüllt die faszinierende Welt der Handwerkstraditionen und mündet in die Ruhe prachtvoller Gärten und eleganter Wohnviertel. Ein Blick auf das authentische und entspannte Tours jenseits der bekannten Pfade.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
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    Stops (6)

    Food and Drink

    La Maison des Halles

    Restaurant in 19 Pl. des Halles.
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    Le Gambrinus

    Bar in 69 Rue Blaise Pascal.
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    LA DEUVALIERE

    Bakery in 18 Rue de la Monnaie.
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    The Pale

    Bar in 18 Pl. Foire le Roi.
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    Bistrot des Belles Caves

    Bar in 23 Rue du Commerce.
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    Food and Drink

    The Touraine is considered France's Garden. Maps list river fish, poultry, goat cheese, and the wines of the Middle Loire Valley.

    Rillettes de Tours

    Unlike the Le Mans variety, they are cooked longer and darker, resulting in a more roasted flavor. They bear a protected origin mark.

    Loire Goat Cheese

    Sainte-Maure de Touraine with its characteristic straw, and Selles-sur-Cher and Valençay from the region. All three bear an appellation of origin.

    Wines from Vouvray and Chinon

    Vouvray offers Chenin Blanc in all styles from dry to noble sweet, with Chinon and Bourgueil providing red wine from Cabernet Franc.

    Fouace and Nougat de Tours

    A yeast pastry and a shortcrust tart with candied fruits and almond cream are among the city's sweet specialties.

    The Halls of Tours

    In the central market hall, discover local cheese, charcuterie and wine all in one place.

    Tours: Culture, Art & History

    Tours lies between the Loire and Cher, a location that early on made the city an important center. From Roman origins to its time as a royal residence, Tours has preserved a multifaceted heritage.The history of Tours stretches back to Roman times, when the city was founded as Caesarodunum. In the 4th century, Saint Martin was bishop here; his tomb made Tours one of Europe's most important pilgrimage sites, later also a centre of Carolingian scholarship. Under Louis XI, who resided in the nearby Château de Plessis, Tours was in the 15th century effectively the seat of the royal court.Architecturally, this past is reflected: The Cathédrale Saint-Gatien has a Gothic facade and stained-glass windows from several eras. In the Old Town, particularly around the Place Plumereau, you'll find 15th-century half-timbered houses and Renaissance town palaces.The Touraine is traditionally considered the region where the purest French is spoken. Honoré de Balzac was born in Tours, François Rabelais near Chinon. The regional identity includes the cuisine of Touraine with its wines, rillettes, and goat cheese like Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine.

    Nightlife

    Tours comes alive after sunset with a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene. Discover cozy wine bars in the Old Town, pulsating clubs around Place Plumereau, and traditional pubs open late into the night. From relaxed evenings to nights spent dancing – here everyone finds their rhythm.
    1

    Izadora

    Bar in 13 Rue Lavoisier.
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    2

    Chez Nello La Belle Vie

    Bar in 9 Rue du Dr Herpin.
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    3

    Le Gambrinus

    Bar in 69 Rue Blaise Pascal.
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    4

    Le Vieux Château

    Bar in 6.
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    5

    LE FEELING

    Bar in 20 Rue Jules Favre.
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    6

    Au Fût Tours

    Bar in 24 Rue de la Monnaie.
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    7

    Le Corneille

    Bar in 45 Rue Colbert.
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    8

    Buffalo Grill Tours

    Bar in 233 Av. André Maginot ZA de.
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    9

    The Pale

    Bar in 18 Pl. Foire le Roi.
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    10

    Citizen Bar

    Bar in 16 Rue de la Longue Échelle.
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    11

    Café Bar concerts Le Strapontin

    Bar in 23 Rue de Châteauneuf.
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    Exploring locally

    The center of Tours is compact and easy to explore on foot. The tram and buses of the Fil-Bleu network connect the most important points of the city and its suburbs. For short distances and excursions along the Loire, bicycles are a good option, with rental stations available at several locations in the city.

    Accommodations in Tours

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    Plan your trip to Tours

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      • 1Domaine Le Capitaine3 days
      • 2François 1er Garden4 days
      • 3Kathedrale von Tours5 days
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    Nearby

    Amboise

    Amboise

    The old royal town of Amboise is situated on the south bank of the Loire, below the Château d'Amboise. It is known as the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his final years in the nearby Clos Lucé.
    Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire)

    Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire)

    The Loire Valley, between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. The region is known for its châteaux (often numbering over 300), its gardens, and its wide river landscapes.Its moniker, the "Garden of France," points to its fruit and vegetable cultivation, along with wine regions from Sancerre to Muscadet, and a cuisine heavily reliant on regional products.
    Chenonceau

    Chenonceau

    The Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley spans the River Cher with its gallery. Its history is closely linked to influential women like Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici, hence its nickname "Château des Dames". A visit includes the furnished rooms, the gallery over the water, and several gardens.
    Centre-Val de Loire

    Centre-Val de Loire

    The Centre-Val de Loire region stretches from Chartres in the north to Berry in the south. Its heart is the Loire Valley with its châteaux and gardens, the section of which between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also features forests like the Sologne, wine regions from Sancerre to Vouvray, and a cuisine with goat cheese, game, and river fish.
    Chinon

    Chinon

    Chinon lies on the Vienne in western Touraine. The Forteresse Royale de Chinon stands on a rocky spur above the town, famous for the 1429 meeting between Joan of Arc and Dauphin Charles VII. Its old town has narrow streets, half-timbered houses, with Rue Voltaire as the main axis. Chinon is also a wine appellation, known for its Cabernet Franc reds, often tasted in tuffeau cellars. It's quieter in spring and autumn. A stroll along the Vienne offers views of the fortress.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI