Tours: History, Culture, and Attractions
Tours is the capital of the Tours Val de Loire metropolis and is located on the banks of the Loire and the Cher. It is the largest commune and urban unit in the Centre-Val de Loire region, with a population of 139,259 inhabitants in 2023.
History and identity
Tours was a Roman city, capital of the Third Lyonnaise, and was a national sanctuary under the Merovingians and the Carolingians. It became the capital of the county of Tours and was the first city of Louis XI's silk industry. It is also the city of art and history with its Vieux-Tours district and the garden city.
What to see
Vieux-Tours constitutes a remarkable heritage site within a city labeled art and history. The banks of the Loire and the Cher, the garden city landscape and the heritage of the ancient Caesarodunum complete the urban reading. Rillettes, rillons, Touraine wines and Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine belong to the local culinary culture.
Understanding the place
To visit Tours, check access to historical and cultural places, such as the Vieux-Tours district and the garden city, before leaving. Plan your itinerary based on your interests, such as visiting historical sites or tourist attractions.
Where to stay
A hotel in the center or Vieux-Tours makes historical tours on foot easier. To use Tours as a base in the Loire Valley, compare proximity to Tours and Saint-Pierre-des-Corps train stations, parking and regional connections before booking.
Prepare for the visit
Timetables, access conditions and transport may change. Consult the official pages linked from the source before the trip, protect the heritage and leave the entrances to the houses free. Source in local language.