Visit Tours

Most of the restaurants in Tours are located in the historic city center. The concentration of restaurants will make you hesitate between various cuisines offering different flavors. If you’re looking for refined, Michelin-starred cuisine, head to Rue Colbert, near the Château de Tours. You’ll have the chance to taste local specialties prepared in the finest way. For something simpler, Rue du Grand Marché is lined with restaurants offering everything from traditional cuisine to Scandinavian street food. The choice is wide, and it can be hard to decide with so many great flavors in a small area!

To visit Tours and the Loire Valley properly, it’s important to choose a neighborhood that suits your needs for accommodation. Each part of Tours has its own charm. The Vieux Tours district is idyllic if you want to enjoy the charm of half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and traditional shops. Staying in this area will put you close to many restaurants (Place Plumereau) and several tourist sites such as the beautiful 15th-century house, La Belle Teinturière. For convenience, the train station area has a variety of affordable hotels while being close to the city center.

Tours, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department, is well-served by different transport options. If you choose the most eco-friendly option, the train, it takes just one hour from Paris to Tours. From Lyon, certain intercity trains will take you directly to Tours in about five hours. However, when traveling from Rennes, which is closer to Tours than Lyon, a transfer is necessary. The train station is in the city center, which makes it easy to get to your accommodation. The Tours airport isn’t very well connected, with only a few flights arriving from Porto, Marseille, Marrakech, or London. It’s not considered a major international airport.

Renting a camper van in Tours is an excellent way to explore the Centre-Val de Loire region. You can camp near the Loire River to enjoy the idyllic surroundings. Several van rental agencies are based in Tours to make this road trip possible. Alternatively, you can use online agencies like Yescapa or Campada. These sites allow you to filter your search based on specific requirements, such as needing a van with a kitchen.

The city of Tours attracts more and more visitors who want to discover the Centre-Val de Loire region. It’s no surprise, considering the numerous wonders to see throughout the region. The Loire Valley Châteaux attract thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. Summer is the peak season for tourists, so accommodation prices rise with the influx of visitors. Summer temperatures are warm but not stifling. However, the best time to visit Tours would be in May. The number of tourists remains reasonable, and you won’t have trouble doing the activities you want. You’ll also enjoy a pleasant climate and beautiful spring colors. If you’re keen to immerse yourself in local culture, visit during the last week of July. On July 26, for Saint Anne’s Day, the Garlic and Basil Fair takes place, a popular tradition in Tours. Locals wear white, pink, and green clothes for the occasion.

Tours is not an excessively large city, making it possible to visit key tourist sites like the Saint-Gatien Cathedral, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Château de Tours on foot. The city is well-equipped with public transportation, including a tram line that runs from north to south and several bus lines to explore the surrounding areas. However, cycling is probably the most enjoyable way to get around Tours. You can wander around the Vieux Tours with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, or take a ride along the Loire River. Dedicated bike paths make these pleasant trips possible.

Visiting Tours doesn’t require taking five days off. In a weekend, you’ll have enough time to explore the main tourist sites, such as the Château de Tours or the Olivier Debré Contemporary Creation Center. The city center and historic heart are compact, and points of interest are concentrated within this area. However, if you wish to visit the surrounding areas and the numerous Loire Valley Châteaux like Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau, plan at least half a day per castle.

When staying with family in Indre-et-Loire, it’s important to find activities that everyone will enjoy. About an hour’s drive from Tours, the Beauval Zoo will delight both children and adults. This world-renowned zoo is considered the fourth most beautiful zoo in the world, housing 800 species and 35,000 animals, including giant pandas, lions, and hippos. Tours also has several parks and gardens where you can take a pleasant stroll and have a picnic. On a sunny day, enjoy the Prébendes d’Oé park or the botanical garden. Play areas are available for children to burn off energy. Even though kids often ask, “When are we going home?” or “I’m tired of walking,” a walk in Vieux Tours is always enjoyable. Everyone of all ages appreciates the beauty of this area with its half-timbered houses.

Visiting Tours in a wheelchair is entirely possible. Public transportation is accessible, with trams and buses equipped with ramps. Most major activities and tourist sites are also accessible. The Vieux Tours district is navigable without any apparent issues, museums are wheelchair-friendly, and parks and gardens provide the opportunity for a relaxing walk. It’s even possible to visit famous Loire Valley Châteaux like Château de Chenonceau.

The Centre-Val de Loire region is world-famous for its numerous beautiful châteaux with rich histories. When staying in Tours, it’s essential to visit these fairy-tale-like monuments. Among the most famous Loire Valley châteaux is Château de Chambord, the largest, most majestic, and most impressive. All positive adjectives can be used to describe the beauty of this building. A bit closer than Château de Chambord is Château de Chenonceau. The Centre-Val de Loire region doesn’t only have châteaux; you can also visit the stunning Gothic Chartres Cathedral, one of the most beautiful in France. This 13th-century cathedral is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and rightfully so! It has been perfectly preserved, which is increasingly rare these days.

Tours may not be the most famous French city for its gastronomy, but I’m sure you’ve enjoyed some Touraine specialties without even realizing they come from Tours. You’ve likely had rillettes from Tours, which are perfect for an appetizer spread on a good slice of bread, and everyone loves them (except vegetarians). Rillettes are made from pork, cooked and browned in fat before being shredded. It’s the most popular local specialty and now holds an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication). If you haven’t tried this yet, you won’t be disappointed! Another controversial specialty is the andouillette from Vouvray, which is as loved as it is disliked. Some may find its smell off-putting at first, as it’s made from pork offal, i.e., tripe. It’s an acquired taste and worth trying at least once in your life to form your own opinion. Now, for something sweeter, there’s the emblematic cheese of Tours: Sainte-Maure. This soft goat cheese is pierced with a straw and its texture changes depending on its aging, but it remains delicious.