Tours Travel Guide
City City in Centre-Val de Loire, France
On the Loire river, Tours acts as a gateway to châteaux - Villandry, Chenonceau - and the region’s vineyards. Visitors stroll the medieval quarter, taste goat cheeses and tour centuries-old wine cellars by bike.
Why Visit Tours? #
Situated on the Loire River, Tours is a lively gateway to the region’s world-class châteaux and vineyards. Stroll the medieval lanes around Place Plumereau and admire Saint-Gatien Cathedral, then use the city as a base for nearby castles such as Château de Chambord and Chenonceau. Loire wines and market-driven restaurants make gastronomy as much a draw as history. Compact size and frequent train links turn Tours into an easy stop for Loire exploration.
Who's Tours For?
Tours’ Vieux Tours and Place Plumereau provide atmospheric evenings with timbered houses and riverside cafés. Day trips to Château de Villandry and romantic Loire gardens are short drives or bike rides away.
Les Halles de Tours and numerous wine bars make the city a great base for Loire gastronomy and local wines. Expect market stalls, mid-range bistros and tasting menus focused on regional produce.
The Loire à Vélo cycling routes and riverside paths offer gentle outdoor days; the nearby châteaux parks and botanical gardens provide well-maintained walks and easy exploration by bike.
Children enjoy castle visits, boat rides on the Loire and interactive estate gardens. Tours’ compact centre and family-friendly museums make it simple to organize relaxed multi-day outings with kids.
Top Things to Do in Tours
All Attractions ›
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- Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours - Gothic cathedral with impressive stained-glass windows and richly carved west façade.
- Place Plumereau - Half-timbered houses surround a cobbled square filled with cafés and evening buzz.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours - Historic fine-arts museum housing works from Italian masters to 19th-century French painters.
- Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours - Pilgrimage basilica honoring Saint Martin, featuring crypts and important religious history.
- Les Halles de Tours (Marché couvert) - Covered market where locals shop regional produce, cheeses, and fresh Loire fish.
- Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé - Quiet English-style park near the cathedral, great for relaxed afternoon walks.
- Musée du Compagnonnage - Small museum celebrating France's trade guilds, with intricate wood and metal craft examples.
- Hôtel Goüin (Musée du Vieux Tours) - Riverside Renaissance mansion exhibiting Tours' urban history and period interiors.
- Le Vinci (concert hall) - Popular local venue hosting contemporary music, theatre, and regular regional performances.
- Jardin Botanique de Tours - Compact botanical garden with labeled plant collections and serene shaded paths.
- Rue Colbert bookshops - Narrow street lined with secondhand bookshops and antique dealers favored by locals.
- Château de Villandry - Renaissance château renowned for exceptionally ordered ornamental gardens and scenic Loire views.
- Château de Chenonceau - Iconic château spanning the River Cher with lavish rooms and riverside gardens.
- Château d'Amboise - Royal residence sitting above the Loire, offering panoramic town and river vistas.
- Clos Lucé (Maison de Léonard de Vinci) - Leonardo da Vinci's final residence, displaying machines, models, and period rooms.
- Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud - Immense monastery complex with royal tombs, art exhibitions, and tranquil cloisters.
- Saumur - Historic town famous for its château, equestrian school, and troglodyte wine cellars.
Where to Go in Tours #
Vieux Tours
Vieux Tours is the city’s charming old quarter: half-timbered houses, lively squares and narrow streets filled with wine bars. It’s the best place to be after dark for relaxed evenings and local food, and it’s compact enough to explore without a map if you enjoy wandering.
Top Spots
- Place Plumereau - Timbered houses and a popular evening square for drinks.
- Cathédrale Saint-Gatien - Soaring gothic cathedral in the heart of the old town.
- Narrow medieval lanes - Full of wine bars and artisan shops.
Les Halles / Market
The market district is where locals shop for Loire cheeses, fresh produce and pastries - best early in the morning when stalls are busy. It’s perfect for picking up picnic supplies before a day along the river or a vineyard trip. Plain and very local.
Top Spots
- Les Halles de Tours - A bustling covered market with regional produce.
- Bakeries and cheese stalls - Ideal for assembling a Loire picnic.
- Small cafés nearby - Morning hubs for locals and visitors alike.
Loire Riverbanks
The riverbanks offer peaceful walking, cycling and boat trips; from here you can access many Loire châteaux on day trips. It’s relaxed and scenic, popular with families and cyclists. Accommodation here tends toward guesthouses and small hotels that suit longer stays.
Top Spots
- Bankside promenades - Easy riverside walks and cycle routes.
- Boat tours & cruises - Gentle ways to see the Loire’s scenery.
- Nearby châteaux access - Good base for day trips into the Loire Valley.
Gare & Modern Quarter
The area around the station is practical and busy with travellers: a hub for getting out to châteaux and other towns. It’s less pretty than the old town but convenient for short stays and onward travel, with reasonable cafés and budget hotels.
Top Spots
- Tours train station (Gare) - Main transport hub with fast links to Paris and the valley.
- Modern shopping streets - Practical shops and cafés for travellers.
- Transport connections to vineyards - Useful starting point for wine tours.
Plan Your Visit to Tours #
Best Time to Visit Tours #
The best time to visit Tours is late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September), when days are warm, gardens bloom, and crowds are thinner than mid-summer. Summers can be warm to occasionally hot and busy, while winters are generally mild and damp.
Best Time to Visit Tours #
Tours's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (664 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with 67 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Tours
Tours is easiest reached by train - Gare de Saint‑Pierre‑des‑Corps handles most TGVs while Gare de Tours sits in the city centre for regional services. The small Tours Val de Loire airport handles limited flights; for international connections, fly into Paris (CDG/ORY) and continue by TGV or coach.
Tours Val de Loire (TUF): Small regional airport serving Tours with seasonal and domestic flights. The easiest way into town is by taxi or rental car - the drive to central Tours takes about 15-20 minutes and taxis typically cost around €20-30. There is no frequent express rail link from the airport; check flight schedules and prebook a taxi if arriving late.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): For international arrivals, many travellers fly into CDG and continue by train. There are direct TGV services from CDG2 TGV to the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps TGV station (check schedules as frequencies vary); journey time is roughly 1h15-1h40 and fares typically range from about €30-€80 depending on advance booking. Alternatively, take RER into Paris and board TGV trains from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (about 1h10 on the TGV), then a short local train or taxi into central Tours.
Train: Tours is served by Gare de Tours (central) and the main high-speed stop at Gare de Saint-Pierre-des-Corps just east of the city. TGVs from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps take about 1h10; regional TER and Intercités services connect Tours with Orléans, Poitiers, Nantes and other regional centres in 30-90 minutes. Typical TGV fares vary widely with advance purchase (roughly €20-€50+); TER regional fares are generally lower (often €5-€20).
Bus: Long‑distance coaches (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus and others) serve Tours from Paris and other French cities; journey times from Paris are commonly 2.5-4 hours depending on route and traffic, with fares often from €5-€25. Inside the city the local bus network is Fil Bleu - single tickets are inexpensive (around €1.60) and cover central routes; day tickets and multi-trip options are available for more frequent use.
How to Get Around Tours
For most visitors the TGV to Gare de Saint‑Pierre‑des‑Corps or a regional arrival into Gare de Tours is the fastest, most convenient option; reserve TGV tickets in advance. Within the city, the old centre is best explored on foot or by bike, while Fil Bleu buses and taxis fill in gaps to suburbs and châteaux.
- TGV / Intercity trains (€20-€80) - Best option for arriving from Paris and elsewhere in France. TGVs run to Gare de Saint‑Pierre‑des‑Corps (a short local train or taxi from central Tours) and cut journey times to Paris to roughly 1h10-1h30. Book early for the cheapest fares; walk from Saint‑Pierre‑des‑Corps to Gare de Tours only if you like a long walk - otherwise take a short TER or taxi.
- Regional TER & local trains (€5-€25) - TER services link Tours with nearby cities (Orléans, Poitiers, Nantes) and run into Gare de Tours. Trains are frequent for regional travel, affordable, and useful for day trips around the Loire Valley. Validate tickets when required and check SNCF/TER Centre-Val de Loire timetables for connections and platform changes.
- Fil Bleu buses (local) (€1.60-€6) - Fil Bleu runs Tours' urban bus network and is the practical way to reach neighbourhoods not served by rail. Single tickets are inexpensive, with day/multi-trip options available - buy on-board or at kiosks/points of sale. Buses are reliable for daytime travel but can be slower than cycling or walking in the compact centre.
- Long-distance coaches (€5-€25) - Operators such as FlixBus and BlaBlaBus connect Tours to Paris and other cities at low cost. Coaches take longer than the TGV but can be much cheaper if you book early; expect 2.5-4 hours to Paris depending on traffic. Useful for budget travel or odd schedules not covered by trains.
- Car rental / Driving (€30-€80/day) - Renting a car is useful for exploring the Loire Valley vineyards and châteaux around Tours, where public transport is sparser. Parking in central Tours is available but can be limited - use park-and-ride or public car parks for long stays. Watch for narrow streets in the old town and lower speed limits on local roads.
- Taxi / Rideshare (€8-€35) - Taxis and rideshare apps cover transfers inside the city and to nearby stations and airports; they're convenient for early/late arrivals or heavy luggage. Fares within the city vary by distance and time of day - expect short trips to cost a modest amount compared with longer suburban runs. Prebooking for airport transfers is recommended during busy periods.
- Walking - Tours' historic centre is compact and highly walkable - most major sights (Place Plumereau, cathedral, riverfront) are within easy walking distance of Gare de Tours. Walking is often faster than local buses for short hops and the best way to explore the old town's streets and riverside paths.
Where to Stay in Tours #
- ibis Tours Centre Gare - Compact rooms near the train station.
- B&B Hotel Tours - Budget rooms close to sights.
- Novotel Tours Centre Gare - Comfortable rooms, on-site dining.
- Best Western Plus L'Artist Hotel - Well-located, reliable mid-range choice.
- Boutique luxury hotels in Tours - Refined rooms, central addresses.
- Oceania L'Hotel Tours - Higher-end amenities and service.
- ibis Tours Centre Gare - Great for train arrivals and short visits.
- Novotel Tours Centre Gare - Comfortable and well-located base.
- Best Western Plus L'Artist Hotel - Family rooms and central position.
- Novotel Tours Centre Gare - Spacious rooms suitable for families.
- Novotel Tours Centre Gare - Desk space and reliable Wi‑Fi.
- ibis Tours Centre Gare - Affordable with decent connectivity.
Where to Eat in Tours #
Tours is all Loire Valley charm: the city’s markets set the tone, and local ingredients - rillettes, chèvre and seasonal vegetables - move from stalls into the bistros around Place Plumereau. Walk the old town for classic French cooking at modest prices and bakeries dispensing excellent pastries. The international scene is friendly and functional: Italian, North African and modern French restaurants sit comfortably alongside market cafés. Vegetarians will be satisfied by market-driven salads, tartines and goat-cheese preparations.
- Les Halles de Tours - Regional cheeses, rillettes and fresh produce.
- Rue Colbert bistros - Toured-style rotisserie and classic Loire dishes.
- Bakeries around Place Plumereau - Tarte Tatin, croissants and local pastries.
- Global bistros near the station - Italian, North African and Asian options.
- Tasting-menu restaurants in the old town - Modern chefs reworking Loire ingredients.
- Casual world cuisine spots by the river - Tapas, sushi and Mediterranean small plates.
- Market stalls at Les Halles - Seasonal vegetable dishes and goat-cheese tarts.
- Vegetarian cafés in the old town - Bowls, salads and tartines with Loire produce.
- Bakeries offering savory vegetarian options - Quiches and pastries perfect for a light lunch.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Tours's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Tours #
Tours lives up to a classic French university-town nightlife: lively terraces and packed bars around Place Plumereau, where students and locals mingle late into the night. The Vieille Ville (old town) is the social heart; expect bustling outdoor seating in summer and cozy wine bars in colder months. Bars typically close around 1-2 AM; dress is casual-smart. Safety is generally fine around central squares, but keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas and use taxis for late returns.
Best Bets
- Place Plumereau - Historic square full of restaurants, terraces and student energy.
- Rue Colbert & Vieille Ville - Narrow streets lined with wine bars and late-night cafés.
- Tourist-friendly wine bars - Small cellars serving Loire wines and small plates.
- Tram-connected nightlife spots - Easy-to-reach bars along tram lines across the city.
- Local live-music venues - Intimate stages hosting bands and themed music nights.
- Seasonal night events and markets - Summer markets and festivals add late-night options.
Shopping in Tours #
Tours combines classic French department stores and a lively market culture. Les Halles in the city centre is the must-visit covered market for Loire Valley cheeses, rillettes and local produce, while Rue Nationale and Rue Colbert host the main shopping streets. For artisan gifts and wine-themed souvenirs, browse the small shops in Old Tours close to the cathedral.
Best Bets
- Les Halles de Tours - Large covered market offering cheeses, charcuterie, and local produce.
- Rue Nationale - Main shopping street with national brands and local boutiques.
- Old Tours (Vieux Tours) - Charming streets with artisan shops, wine stores and souvenirs.
- Galeries Lafayette Tours - Regional department store with fashion, beauty and homewares.
- Loire Valley wine shops - Specialist wine merchants selling regional Loire bottles and gifts.
- Flea markets and brocantes - Regular markets for antiques, vintage finds, and secondhand treasures.
