Best Things to Do in Tours, France

Visit Tours, Loire Valley

Located by the Loire River in the Centre Val-de-Loire region, Tours is the capital of the Touraine region, which is well known for its châteaux, lovely towns, and wine production.

Tours is an easy day trip or weekend getaway from Paris since you can get there by TGV train in just an hour and a half. This lovely city is also a great base for exploring the magnificent Touraine area.

Once the capital of France, Tours is a lively city perfect for those who love history, art, food, and the outdoors! Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Tours, France, for a fantastic trip.

History of Tours

Tours has a long history, tracing back to pre-Roman times. Due to its strategic location, the town was an important crossing point over the Loire River as part of Gaul. This fundamental economic role was why the Romans invaded and conquered Tours, which was annexed to the Empire during the 1st century AD and renamed Caesarodunum.

Around the 4th century AD, Tours became a metropolis within the borders of the Roman province of Lugdunum.

In the following centuries, Tours became a landmark in the expansion and consolidation of Catholicism, particularly for the figure of the bishop Saint Martin of Tours, who was later appointed Saint-Patron of Tours. Martin’s important work made Tours a major center during the Middle Ages, thanks to the town’s position on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

A peculiarity is that, during the Middle Ages, Tours consisted of two main towns, juxtaposed and sometimes competing with one another. The town to the east, called the “City,” heir to the Roman castrum, was made by the Cathedral, the archbishops’ residence, and the castle of Tours.

The town to the west, referred to as the “New City” or “Martinopole,” was instead structured around the Abbey of Saint-Martin. Martinopole managed to free itself from the supremacy of the City, becoming “Châteauneuf” (castrum novum).

The two centers of Tours were joined during the 14th century. A century later, Tours became the capital of France and the permanent residence of the king and its court in 1422 and 1588. Tours retrieved its importance during WW2 when it briefly became France’s capital city again.

What to Do in Tours, France

From the Old Town to gastronomic delights to top museums, here’s what to do in Tours, France.

Is Tours worth visiting? Definitely YES! Tours is an easy day trip or weekend getaway from Paris. This lovely city is also a great base for exploring the magnificent Touraine area.

Cathédrale Saint-Gatien

The Cathédrale Saint-Gatien is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the Loire Valley region. Built between the 13th and 16th centuries on the remains of the Gallo-Roman city of Caesarodunum, what will strike you about Tours’ Cathedral is its magnificent Gothic-flamboyant façade.

When entering, you can admire a collection of dazzling stained-glass windows, the sculpted tomb of the children of Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII (picture below), and the beautiful stained-glass windows.

The Cathédrale Saint-Gatien is also the only Cathedral in the region that still has its medieval cloister, which can be visited for a fee.

Address: Pl. de la Cathédrale; Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Château de Tours

Located by the Loire River, the Château de Tours is quite different from the classic Loire Valley Castles.

It was built in the 11th century as the home of the Counts of Blois. Later, it became the house of the Counts of Anjou.

The Château de Tours was enlarged between the 13th and 14th centuries when Tours was appointed the capital of France, and it became one of the Royal Residences.

With the look of an ancient medieval castle, the Château de Tours boasts an elegant pavilion that connects the two medieval towers built under the reign of Napoleon III. At that time, Tours was a military town, so there was a need for a place to house the Honor Guard, and the Château de Tours was appointed to do so. Today, Tours Castle hosts rich and varied contemporary art exhibitions.

Address: 25 Avenue André Malraux; Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Get Lost in the Old Town

The historic center of Tours is a mix and match of different styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical. Enjoy a stroll around the picturesque maze of streets while admiring the beautiful buildings and the amazing details on their facades. If you are a fan of Renaissance architecture, don’t miss the streets around Place Plumereau, which are packed with these types of buildings.

A special mention goes to Rue Colbert, one of the oldest streets of Tours’ Old Town. Built during the Middle Ages, it is lined with flamboyant red timber-framed houses and many bars and restaurants where you can stop for an aperò or a traditional meal.

Place Châteauneuf

Located in the former area of Châteauneuf, the namesake square got a new look a couple of years ago. Many of its buildings have been renovated following the classic Italian style, and the whole area has been pedestrianized.

Place Châteauneuf offers breathtaking views of some of the city’s most beautiful monuments: the Tour Charlemagne, the Tour de l’Horloge, and the Basilica of Saint Martin.

The square lies at the foot of Tour Charlemagne, one of the four towers of the ancient Basilica of Saint Martin, built between the 11th and 13th centuries and unfortunately destroyed. 

The current Basilique Saint-Martin is a newer building, erected in the 19th century, partly built over the older one, one of the largest religious buildings in Christendom. The Basilica is dedicated to Tours’ saint patron, St. Martin, of whom you can see the remains inside the church’s crypt.

Apéritif at Place Plumereau

Place Plumereau is among Tours’ most famous landmarks. This lively square is lined with colorful half-timbered houses from the 15th century, and it was named after Charles Plumereau, a municipal councilor of Tours, who bequeathed 3000 francs to the City.

Place Plumereau is also France’s most beautiful square for doing an apéritif, thanks to the presence of many great bars with charming terraces.

At apérifif time, the square gets packed with locals ready to have fun, and the whole place gains a lively atmosphere you don’t want to miss!

Halle de Tours

One of the best things to do in Tours is to stroll through its central market, the Halle de Tours. It is the perfect place to familiarize yourself with local food specialties and products. From freshly baked goods to local cheeses and wines, the Halle de Tours is every gastronome’s idea of heaven!

For sure, the Halle de Tours’ architecture is not very appealing, but inside, you will find four of the “meilleurs ouvriers de France” (best craftsmen in France in all fields of work, in this case in gastronomy).

This covered market is also a great place to look for gift ideas, as it is stocked with all the best from the region. And if you get hungry while inside the Halle de Tours, stop by one of the many stalls making hot dishes or enjoy some other delicious food, like oysters or charcuterie.

Address: 1 Place Gaston Paillhou; Opening times: Monday to Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, the market opens at 7:30 a.m.

Museums of Tours

Tours has some memorable museums you should find the time to visit during your trip.

The Musée du Compagnonnage is one of the main attractions in Tours and the only museum of this kind in the world. It is dedicated to trade guilds in France and is housed in the former monks’ dormitory of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Julien, a UNESCO-listed building that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Address: 8 Rue Nationale; Opening times: Wednesday to Monday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, located inside the former archbishops’ palace, displays a magnificent collection of paintings from the Italian Renaissance, French paintings from the 17th to the 19th centuries (including artworks from Monet and Degas), and Flemish and Dutch paintings and sculptures.

Address: 1 Place François Sicard; Opening times: Wednesday to Monday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Centre d’Art Contemporain Olivier Debré is Tours’ contemporary art museum, offering the unique opportunity to get to know the newest generation of French artists. All the exhibitions are constantly changing, and mediators are even present in the various rooms to accompany visitors to better understand the works of these innovative artists.

Address: Jardin François 1er; Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Saturday, the museum closes at 7:00 pm.

If you are traveling with your kids, visit the Natural History Museum. It boasts a rich collection and offers temporary exhibitions, including a vivarium showcasing countless reptiles and insects. The museum also has a resource center where younger visitors can have fun with interactive games about natural science.

Address: 3 Rue du Président Merville; Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A Stroll along the Banks of the Loire River

The banks of the Loire River are particularly popular among locals and tourists as they offer beautiful spots for leisure walks or daily jogging.

If you visit Tours in spring and summer, you can’t help but visit the traditional “guinguettes,” which are casual outdoor taverns by the riverside. Perfect for a drink, a bite, and some people-watching, I suggest you stop by the guinguettes Tours sur Loire, located at the foot of the Wilson Bridge, or La Plage, a great place to relax.

During the summer, you can also enjoy a lovely boat tour of the Loire River, offered by the Boutavant Association, who propose sails on traditional wooden boats.

Wine Tours

You’ve come to the right place if you are a wine lover! The Touraine wine production area is part of the Val de Loire wine region and there are countless wine tours and tastings you can enjoy from Tours.

To the east of Tours, you can visit the appellations of Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire, which are well known for their white wines and crémants (sparkling wines) made of Chenin grape variety. I recommend checking out this fantastic tour that covers both wine regions.

To the west of Tours are the appellations of Chinon and Bourgueil, which are famous for producing red and rosé wines made of Cabernet Franc grape variety. This wine tour is an excellent idea if you want to explore both wine areas, plus you will have a lunch stop, have a traditional lunch (not included in the tour), and enjoy some free time to visit the lovely town of Chinon.

Day Trips from Tours, France

If you are wondering what to do in Tours with an extra day, why not take a day trip?

The beautiful towns of Blois and Amboise are both easy to reach by regional train from Tours. While in Blois, don’t miss the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Louis and the Royal Château of Blois; if you opt to get to Amboise instead, two must-sees are the Royal Château d’Amboise and the Clos de Lucé, where Leonardo Da Vinci spent his last years.

From Tours, you can also visit some of the most beautiful Loire Valley Castles, like the Château de Villandry, the Château de Chambord, the Château de Chenonceau, and the Château D’Azay-le-Rideau.

If you decide to visit more than one château, consider one of these Châteaux Passes that will save you time and money.

You will need a car to make these day trips; however, if you don’t have one, you can join a guided tour. This châteaux tour heads to the Châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau, while this other châteaux tour will lead you to Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau and includes a stop in the Vouvray wine region for some tastings.

And there you have it, the best things to do in Tours, France, for a memorable day trip or weekend getaway. Bon voyage!

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