Emblematic of Touraine and the Loire Valley, Tours is the capital of the region. A city of Art and History, sometimes nicknamed the "Petit Paris", Tours will surprise you with its gentle medieval airs, beautiful panoramas and wide open spaces.
Watered by the Loire and the Cher, in the heart of the Loire Valley, Tours is the cradle of the French Renaissance. Marked by history, this ancient city still has many traces of its glorious past, visible thanks to its unique architecture. Also, in order not to lose a bit of it, some visits are not to be missed during your visit: Place Plumereau first of all, is one of the most beautiful places in Tours. With its half-timbered houses, it is the true heart of the town, dynamic and popular: it is adored by holidaymakers and young people alike, and has even been elected "the most beautiful place in France to have a drink"! Continue your visit of the capital of Touraine by heading towards the splendid Saint-Gatien cathedral, renowned for its flamboyant and very finely decorated facade. In Gothic style, this building is an example of architecture, and also contains magnificent 13th, 14th and 15th century glass roofs. The Fine Arts Museum is worth a visit, both for its exhibitions of antique collections and for the building itself, an old archbishops' palace built on the foundations of a Gallo-Roman enclosure. Not far away, the Town Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the municipality: while its sculpted facade is splendid, its interior decorations are absolutely magnificent. You will love its ceremonial rooms, its monumental staircase, its paintings, its sculptures and its festive hall wonderfully decorated with green and gold.
To the list of sites to visit in Tours, on foot, by bicycle, by horse-drawn carriage, by miniature train or by gyropod, are added the Maison de Tristan l'Hermite (a very beautiful private mansion), the Hôtel Goüin, the Jardin des Prébendes and its old kiosk, but also the Botanical Garden, the Saint-Julien church, the Saint-Martin basilica and the Tour Charlemagne. The latter, built during the 11th century, offers from its summit terrace an impregnable panoramic view of the whole of Tours and its region: to be seen by day and by night! Finally, Château de Tours is located on the banks of the Loire, against the former Gallo-Roman enclosure. Built in the 18th century, this medieval fortress has only the Logis des Gouverneurs and the Tour de Guise. You can of course visit this beautiful building, which every year welcomes many visitors curious to discover its history, but also the many art exhibitions it houses.
Gourmet, the region of Tours offers its visitors many delicious taste discoveries, each one more delicious than the next. On the menu for your stay? Rillettes de Tours, andouillette de Vouvray, rillons de Touraine, geline, nougats, Sainte-Maure, fouace de Rabelais, fouée touangelle, and Touraine wines, of course!
Finally, as the gateway to the "Loire Valley of Castles", Tours will allow you to reach some of the most beautiful castles in the region in no time, from Chambord to Chenonceau, via Chinon, Amboise and Villandry, via 374 walking trails, 5 long-distance hiking trails and 6800 kilometres of marked trails.