For more than a hundred years, this small city was the capital of France, and now it is called the pearl of Touraine. But even though it is located near Paris, many people know about it only by hearsay. This is a Tours of France.
General information
The tour is located in a place where the Loire and Cher rivers merge. The history of this city began in ancient times: as a Roman heritage, parts of the ancient amphitheater and thermal baths were preserved there. And from the middle of the XV and almost to the end of the XVII century, it was even the capital of France.
Now Tur is a modern, bustling university city with many restaurants, bars, and night clubs. It is also the administrative center of the Loire Valley region and the capital of Touraine province. In 2020, Tours had almost 138,000 inhabitants, and the city itself covered an area of 34.36 km2.
The city stretches along the banks of the Loire and Cher rivers for many kilometers, while its center is located between these rivers, and industrial areas are located to the north of the Loire.
It is in the Tour that the Loire Valley route, which is popular with many tourists, begins. But this French city is also interesting in itself.
What to see and do
Old Town
The Old Town quarters are located on both sides of the main street of Tours-National Street.
To the north of the Nationale, half-timbered houses and towers with projecting staircases surround Plumero Square. After restoration, all of them have become a real city landmark. The most attractive building is considered to be the Language School on Brissone Street-it is decorated with unique figures of dogs, frogs and monsters.
Next to Robert Pico Square, between the buildings of the Middle Ages, there are workshops of modern artisans. There are also a lot of expensive restaurants and clubs.
The cozy place de la Resistance also deserves to be rented. And on the pretty Plumero Square once gathered a huge number of pilgrims.
Between Albert Thomas Street and the Laura River, you can see 2 towers – this is all that has been preserved from the ancient royal palace. An exhibition is currently open inside the palace.
At the very beginning of the Rue Nacional are sculptures by Descartes and Rabelais. This street abuts on the Place Jean Jaures, to which two iconic sights “turned”: the grandiose City Hall and the Palace of Justice.
Heading west on the Nationale is the Guen Mansion. Its beautiful Renaissance facade attracts many tourists.
Saint-Gatien Cathedral
One of the most important sights of the city of Tours in France is the Cathedral of Saint-Gatien. The construction of the Cathedral of Tours began in the XI century, but most of it was built in the XIII-XVI centuries. This building is a real monument of architecture, containing elements of different genres: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance.
The western towers, which have a height of about 70 meters, are covered with refined Gothic carvings. The bell towers of the Renaissance period, located on top, are also designed in the same refined style. Impressive is the majestic facade of the building, decorated with carvings and unique stained-glass windows of the XIII century.
Inside the cathedral, an ancient organ has been preserved, there are beautiful choirs and carved wooden benches, and an image of St. Maurice has survived on one of the columns.
The Cathedral of Saint-Gatien is a functioning religious monastery, a place of ceremonies and services. It is also a significant historical, architectural and cultural landmark in France, attracting tourists from all over the world.
- Address: Pl de la Cathedrale, 3700 Tours, France.
- The temple is open daily from 8: 30 to 20: 00.
- Сайт: https://www.paroisse-cathedrale-tours.fr/cathedral/index.
Museum of Fine Arts
The city’s Art Museum is located in the building of the Bishops ‘ Palace, which stands next to the cathedral. The palace itself is considered a local landmark: it was built in the IX century, and its design included parts of Gallo-Roman buildings. Very attractive is the suite of halls of the XVII-XVIII centuries, each of which is furnished according to the style of the era to which the works of art placed there belong.
The museum’s collection covers periods from the Middle Ages to the present and contains works by many masters. The real attraction of the collection are three frescoes by Andrei Mantegna (including” Agony in the Garden”), taken from Italy by Napoleon. Another pride of the collection is the engravings “Five Senses” by Abraham Bosset, taken as the basis for large canvases in the study of Louis XIII. There is a work by Rembrandt-a modest oil sketch “Flight to Egypt”. Fans of impressionism will be interested in Monet’s works. Another unique example is the portrait of Balzac painted by Boulanger. There are also works by Rubens, Titian, Delacroix, Caravaggio.
In addition, the museum’s exposition includes interesting examples of sculpture, in particular from ancient and medieval times.
The Musee des Beaux-Arts de Tours also hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to various artistic themes or specific artists.
There is a luxurious park around the palace. There is a huge branching cedar of Lebanon, planted in the time of Napoleon.
- Place of interest: 18 Place Francois Sicard, 37000 Tours, France.
- Website: https://mba.tours.fr/ .
- Opening hours: Tuesday closed, Monday – from 9: 30 to 18: 00, Wednesday-Sunday – from 9: 00 to 18: 00.
- The full ticket price is 8.40 euros. Students over 26 years of age, people over 65 years of age, visitors in a group of 10 people or more – the ticket price is 4.20 euros. Free admission for young people under 26 years of age, and on every first Sunday of the month – for all comers.
City Hall
In the historical center of the city there is another attraction – the main city hall. It was built at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, the work was supervised by a local architect Viktor Lalu.
The beautiful monumental building harmoniously combines various architectural styles, including Gothic and Renaissance. The facade is decorated with sculptures of Atlanteans by Francois Sicard, allegorical images of human virtues. The interior design of the town hall was handled by Henri Varenne.
Now the premises of the town hall are used for various administrative needs of the city and hold various events in them.
- The attraction is located at 104 Bd Heurteloup, 37000 Tours, France.
St. Martin’s Cathedral and Charlemagne Tower
The Collégiale Saint Martin et Tour Charlemagne, built in the XI-XII centuries, became a significant attraction of the city of Tours, and indeed of the whole of France. Numerous pilgrims came to the ancient Benedictine abbey to venerate the relics of Saint Martin of Tours. Now on the site of the medieval basilica stands a new one, which was built in the XIX century.
The abbey once occupied the entire area between the Rue Al and Trois-Pavi-Rhone streets, and stretched to the Place Chateauneuf. Of this large-scale complex, only the Charlemagne Tower has survived-it stands opposite the modern basilica, and the Clock Tower on the western side. Charlemagne Tower was built in the VIII century, as a defensive structure. It has a round shape and rises to a height of 18 meters.
Now this tower is a landmark city landmark, its 1st and 2nd floors are open to tourists. You can also climb to the upper floor, which offers panoramic views of the Tour and its surroundings.
- Tour Charlemagne address: Rue des Halles, 37000 Tours, France.
- St. Martin’s Basilica address: 7 Rue Baleschous, 37000 Tours, France.
Perrodiere Park
The park, which previously belonged to the Archbishops of Tours, was transformed into the Perrodiere City Park at the end of the 19th century. On its territory there are more than 120 species of plants that give a comfortable shade during a walk. The park offers scenic panoramic views of Tours and the Loire River.
On the territory of the Perrodiere there is an educational mini-farm, which contains various animals. There is an apiary with a special training hive-it is equipped with an observation window.
There is a large-scale playground for children in the upper part of the park.
In the spacious exhibition hall of Karl X, you can view the works of artists, sculptors, and photographers throughout the year.
Every year, Perrodiere hosts various entertainment events, such as car races, the Saveurs au Jardin festival, and a 10-kilometer marathon.
- The attraction is located at 26-2 Rue de la Petite Perraudiere, 37540 Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, France.
- The park is open around the clock. Access to the training hive is available on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Website: www.saint-cyr-sur-loire.com .
Where to stay on the Tour
There are good 2* and 3* hotels in the city, almost all of them are located to the west of the center. The choice of luxury hotels is not very large. Hotel accommodation in Tours is inexpensive, especially when compared with the capital of France.
During the peak season, a comfortable room for two in a 3* hotel will cost from 75 euros. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV. Some hotels serve breakfast (included in the price).
As for otley 2*, then settling in them, it is unlikely to save money. With a low status, they offer guests comfortable rooms with all amenities. The approximate price for a double room is 60 euros.
5* hotels in summer offer accommodation in 2-and 3-bed rooms for 100-115 euros per day. Among the amenities that are not available in lower-level rooms, 5* hotels have swimming pools, hydro-massage baths, gyms with exercise equipment.
Almost throughout the year, you need to make a reservation for accommodation on the Tour in advance.
Interesting facts
- In 1461, Louis XI declared Tours the capital of France. This title remained with Tours during the reigns of Charles VIII, Louis XII, and Francis I. In 1583, Henry III transferred the Parliament to Tours. Only Henry IV returned the capital to Paris.
- The blacksmiths of Tours were famous for forging” shining in the sun ” armor for Joan of Arc.
- Near the Palace of Bishops, which now houses the Art Museum, there is a tourist train station. It circles the entire Old Town with its main attractions. The trip lasts 45-50 minutes.
- The city’s coat of arms depicts 3 towers, and the very name “Tour” is consonant with the French “tower”. At the same time, the name of the city comes from the name of the Gali tribe of the Turons, who founded a settlement near the Loire River.
- There is a travel agency at the intersection of Rue Bernard-Palissy and Boulevard Ertelou. There, for 7 euros, you can buy a single ticket to 5 city museums, as well as learn about excursions to ancient palaces.
- The tour is the birthplace of Honore de Balzac. It was in this French city in 1799 that the future writer was born.
- In the Cathedral of Saint-Gatien in the XV century, the coronation of French kings took place.
- Perrodiere Park is the only public park with a view of the Laura, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The tour is known for its rolls called “foie gras”. This is a very tender dough that is fried in oil and usually served with foie gras.
- Tours is home to the most prestigious educational institution in France – the University of Francois-Rabelais, founded in the XV century.
- Tours is the birthplace of the poet Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, also known for his posters and paintings.
- In 2000, the Old Town of Tours (France) was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Video: evening walk on the Tour. Take a look to feel the atmosphere of this French city.
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