Tours

Tours sits between the Loire and Cher rivers in central France. The city serves as the urban anchor for exploring the Loire Valley's royal châteaux. You can walk across the historic center in twenty minutes, using line A of the tram for longer trips. Expect medieval timbered houses, lively outdoor squares, and distinct regional food culture.

Tours relies on pork specialities and goat cheese. Rillettes de Tours holds IGP protected status, featuring coarsely shredded pork slow-cooked in lard. Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOP goat cheese is instantly recognizable by the rye straw running through its center, which holds the delicate log together during aging. For dessert, Nougat de Tours is a cake lined with apricot jam and candied fruit under a baked macaron layer.

• Order rillettes correctly

  Ask for rillettes by weight at charcuteries like Maison Hardouin on Place Châteauneuf rather than pre-packed tubs.

• Market lunch timing

  Les Halles de Tours food stalls serve hot lunch dishes from 11:30 to 14:00. Arrive early to sit at stall counters.

• Dining on Rue Colbert

  Rue Colbert has the highest density of family bistros. Fixed three-course lunch menus run between €18 and €24.

Tours began as Caesarodunum under Roman rule before becoming a major pilgrimage center around the tomb of Saint Martin in the 4th century. During the 15th century, Kings Charles VII and Louis XI established their court in the Loire Valley, making Tours the royal capital of France. The arrival of the railway in 1846 transformed the city into a regional transit hub.

1. 371

   Saint Martin becomes bishop

   Martin is appointed Bishop of Tours, establishing the city as a principal Christian pilgrimage destination across Western Europe.

2. 1461

   Royal capital status

   Louis XI bases the royal court in and around Tours, making the Touraine region the political center of the French kingdom.

3. 1846

   Arrival of the railway

   The rail line connecting Paris to Bordeaux opens through Tours, triggering major urban expansion and new boulevards.

4. 1940

   Wartime destruction

   A severe fire triggered by WWII bombardment destroys much of the historic area between the cathedral and the river.

Choose your neighbourhood based on your transport plans and noise tolerance. Stay in Vieux Tours if you want evening bars on your doorstep. Pick Quartier Cathédrale for quiet streets within walking distance of museums. Choose Quartier Gare if you take early morning TGV trains or regional buses to châteaux.

• Budget travellersFebvotte / Marat — Lower rates ten minutes south of the main train station.

Tours is flat and easy to navigate on foot. The Fil Bleu transport network operates one tram line (Line A) and dozens of bus routes. Tram Line A runs north-south through the city center, connecting the main train station directly to Place Jean-Jaurès and the river.

• Tap your Fil Bleu card on the onboard validator every time you enter a tram or bus.

• A 10-trip ticket pack (10 Voyages) costs €15.00 and can be shared among multiple travellers.

• Tram Line A runs from 05:00 to 00:30 daily, with trams running every 6 minutes during day peak hours.

Tours is significantly cheaper than Paris for food and lodging. Mid-range dining offers high quality for moderate prices, especially when staying with daily fixed menus (formules).

• Coarsely ground rillettes (200g): €5.00–7.00

  Purchased by weight at traditional charcuteries in Les Halles.

• Fixed lunch menu (3 courses): €18.00–24.00

  Standard weekday price in bistros along Rue Colbert.

• Sainte-Maure goat cheese log: €6.00–9.00

  Price for a full protected AOP cheese at local market stalls.

• Fil Bleu 24-hour pass: €4.70

  Unlimited network ride pass bought at tram platform vending machines.

• Glass of Vouvray or Chinon: €4.00–6.00

  Typical glass price at wine bars in Vieux Tours.

• Sunday store closures

  Most shops and supermarkets close on Sundays, though Les Halles operates until 13:00.

• Contactless payments

  Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but small bakery purchases under €1 may require cash.

• Loire à Vélo trail

  The marked bike route passes directly through Tours along the riverbank towards Villandry and Amboise.

• University rhythm

  Tours hosts 30,000 university students; nightlife in Vieux Tours drops significantly during university holidays.

• Castle transport planning

  Regional TER trains connect Gare de Tours directly to Amboise (18 min) and Blois (35 min).