Tours★★
Tours (approx. 140,000 inhabitants) is the largest city in the Loire Valley and its cultural and gastronomic center. The city doesn't have a single blockbuster like Chambord, but it does have a vibrant old town (Vieux Tours) with 15th-century half-timbered houses, excellent restaurants, and the flair of a true French university town.
The Cathedral of Saint-Gatien (13th–16th century) is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with spectacular stained glass windows from the 13th century, which are among the most beautiful in France. The Place Plumereau is the heart of the old town — a picturesque square surrounded by half-timbered houses, filled with café terraces, and the center of nightlife in the evenings.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts in the former archbishop's palace next to the cathedral houses works by Mantegna, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Degas in a magnificent setting with cedars in the garden (8€). The Centre de Création Contemporaine Olivier Debré (CCC OD) on the banks of the Loire showcases excellent contemporary art (free).
Tours is famous for its "purest French" — the city is traditionally considered the place where the most accent-free French is spoken. Therefore, many language students come here.
💡 Tipp
Tours is only 1:15 hours away from Paris thanks to the TGV station Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (from 19€ with early booking). The city is an excellent base for the entire Loire Valley. Hotels in the old town from about 75€/night. The Guinguette beer garden on the Loire (summer) is the most beautiful place for a glass of Vouvray at sunset.
Dining & Drinking in Tours
Tours is one of the best cities in France for affordable, high-quality food. The region provides top-notch ingredients: goat cheese (Sainte-Maure de Touraine), rillettes (pork paste), rillons (caramelized pork belly), Géline de Touraine (an old chicken breed), tuffeau mushrooms (mushrooms grown in caves), and of course Loire wines.
Restaurant Recommendations
Les Halles de Tours · Place Gaston-Pailhou
The large market hall (Tue–Sun until 1 PM) is a paradise for gourmets. Over 70 stalls with cheese, charcuterie, fish, pastries, wine. Especially lively on Saturdays. Excellent bistros have settled around the hall.
Free access · Tue–Sat 7 AM–7 PM, Sun 7 AM–1 PM
La Maison des Halles · 6 Place Gaston-Pailhou
Right next to the market hall: fresh, market-based cuisine. Lunch menu from 18€ (starter + main course), evening tasting menu from 42€. Excellent value for money.
€€ · Tue–Sat 12–2 PM & 7–10 PM
Le Zinc · 27 Place du Grand-Marché
Classic bistro on Plumereau. Rillettes on toast, entrecôte with Béarnaise, tarte Tatin. Main course 14–22€. Terrace on the most picturesque square in the city.
€€ · Daily 12–2:30 PM & 7–10:30 PM
L'Hédoniste · 25 Rue de la Monnaie
Modern Loire cuisine, young kitchen, excellent natural wines. Lunch menu 16€, evening menu from 35€. One of the most exciting tables in Tours.
€€ · Tue–Sat 12–2 PM & 7–10 PM
