Top 7 things to do in Tours

Welcome to the banks of the Loire and Cher rivers in the Indre-et-Loire département. You’ve decided to stop off in the city of Tours? It has to be said that its historic monuments are a delight. With its Loire castles and rich cultural heritage, it looks like a sovereign city. It’s the kind of city where, when you leave, you immediately feel more educated, your general knowledge of the history of our beautiful country, France, increasing at the same time.

If you’d like to know more about where to go out in Tours? Which monuments to visit first? Navaway explains it all! Splendid half-timbered houses, exquisite restaurants, endless shops… Here’s an idea of the friendly atmosphere in Tours, which attracts many visitors every year.

What to do in Tours?

1. Saint-Gatien Cathedral

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Made of stone and glass, Saint-Gatien’s Cathedral is a legendary monument: its architecture and stained glass windows bear witness to the beauty of Gothic art. Tourangeau’s heritage is proud of it. Built in the Gallo-Roman period between the 13th and 16th centuries, the atmosphere is as electric and mysterious as ever. At night, its flamboyant façade comes to life, lighting up the surrounding area with a thousand lights. This imposing building has written the history of several generations who have lived here, and bears witness to the Judeo-Christian values of Western society. Open every day from 8.30am to 6.30pm, go to Rue Racine to admire this spectacle!

2. Tours Castle

Category: €/Cultural

Description: Located in the oldest part of Tours, it is now considered to be one of France’s most important castles. Much more than a castle, it presents an artistic programme of sculptures, paintings, archaeological projects, various installations and photographs. All these objects on the château’s four levels represent an ode to contemporary art, and it’s a calm place where serenity reigns. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 2pm to 6pm, it is located on avenue André Malraux.

3. The Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé

Category: Free admission/Unusual

Description: Many people like to call this “The English Garden”. It’s an utterly charming place, dotted with pretty flowers and trees offering pleasant shade. It’s the kind of place where you want to stay after a tiring day: you can easily read a novel, chat, meet new people and admire the greenery. With a wide variety of plants and well laid-out water features, the “Trébendes d’Oé” garden is a jewel in the crown of the city of Tours. Towards rue Roger Salengro, it is open every day from 7.45am to 9pm. We advise you to visit at the end of the day, when the sun is gradually fading, caressing the greenery with its orange rays.

4. The Museum of Fine Arts

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: At the entrance alone, you’ll be impressed by the large, imposing cedar tree, at least 200 years old, which dominates the main courtyard. Descend into its underground passageways and you’ll discover the lapidary inscription to the glory of the Turons. The building is a listed historic monument, and contains a whole collection of paintings, furniture, sculptures and all kinds of art-related objects. You’ll be amazed! Open every day from 9.30am to 6pm except Tuesdays, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is located near the Place François Sicard. Many historians and art lovers describe it as “a catalogue of ancient and precious objects” that make Tours so authentic.

5. Hotel Goüin

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: No, this is not a typical hotel that welcomes visitors to stay and sleep for the duration of their stay. It is one of the few remaining vestiges of Renaissance architecture in the city of Tours. Entirely dedicated to contemporary art, it is known for its impressive sculpted decoration on the courtyard façade, which already announces the colour of what awaits you inside… Roman antiquity, local creations, innovative art, masks, objects, ritual dress… You will enter another world. This ancient building never ceases to surprise us, and to arouse in us a growing curiosity about the art and history of the city of Tours.

6. Hire a bike and conquer the city

Category: €€/Sporty

Description: There’s nothing better than visiting a city in your own time. Forget your car for a day, and get back to using your legs (sometimes you forget you’ve got them, so much do you use public transport) by pedalling your heart out in this historic city, exploring its green spaces. It’ll give you a breath of fresh air. Cycling along the Loire means taking the time to contemplate the colourful landscapes. Along the way, take a break by stopping off at a charming terrace restaurant. Sip a local drink, and set off again, in the calm and peaceful Touraine countryside. The “Ride in Tours” travel agency, open every day from 9am to 7pm on avenue Georges Sand, has been awarded the “Accueil Vélo” label as well as the “Loire à Vélo” label, so you can have a fantastic time on two wheels.

7. Visit the city with the Parcours Lumière

Category: €€/Cultural/Insolite

Description: Only in Tours will you find this programme! The city offers two routes, called “parcours lumières”, which, when night falls, let you discover the surrounding area lit up and sparkling. We won’t tell you too much about the descriptions of the two routes: “Le Balzac”, in honour of the writer Honoré de Balzac, and “Le Vieux Tours”, which tells the whole story of the city. The lighting effects are quite spectacular, with lanterns and other fireworks used to fill your eyes! You’ll be able to admire the diversity of the local architecture and heritage in a whole new light.