Walking tours of the city all start in the Old Town, where you can admire the beautifully restored buildings and see landmarks such as the Basilica of Saint Martin, Charlemagne’s Tower, and Saint-Gatien Cathedral. The Old Town is also home to the Compagnonnage Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, which has a cedar tree allegedly planted by Napoleon Bonaparte in its garden. Place Pumereau—a square surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and boutiques—is a lively destination for people-watching. Visiting Tours is a popular day or multi-day trip from Paris, often combined with the highlights of the Loire Valley.
While history buffs will be focused on the district’s medieval architecture, shoppers should head to the area around Place Jean-Jaurès. Foodies looking to sample Loire Valley specialties will find some of Tours’ best restaurants in the Old Town.
Do as the locals do and snag a spot on the terrace at one of the cafés around Place Pumereau for an evening aperitif.
The cobbled lanes of the Old Town can make access a bit trickier for wheelchairs and strollers, but the main streets and squares are still easily accessible.
The Old Town of Tours stretches between Place Plumereau and Place Jean-Jaurès, encompassing most of the modern-day town center. Mostly pedestrianized, the best way to get around is on foot, and it’s about a 15-minute walk from Tours train station to Place Plumereau. TGV trains link Tours with Paris (an approximately 75-minute journey), or you can drive between the two cities in around three hours.
Day-trippers and vacationers head to Tours en masse during the summer months, and the narrow lanes of the Old Town can get crowded throughout July and August. Plan your walking tour for early in the day for crowd-free photo opportunities. A quieter and often cheaper time to explore the Loire Valley is in late spring or early fall. Otherwise, it’s fun to visit over the festive season when Tours hosts one of the region’s few Christmas markets.
Tours lies at the heart of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley, making it an ideal base to explore the region. Visit the nearby Château de Villandry and Château de Chenonceau, go wine tasting at one of the many Loire Valley wineries, or enjoy a scenic bike ride along the famous Loire à Vélo cycle route. For the most magical views, a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Loire River is the quintessential Loire Valley activity.