France > France regions > Centre > Indre-et-Loire > Tours
Tours
The town of Tours is in the Indre-et-Loire department of the centre region (the Loire Valley), and it is the largest town in the region.
Tours is a busy, thriving town an hour to the south-west of Paris. Despite having quite a lot of modern development around the town it contains some interesting features that attract visitors and tourism.
The main attraction in Tours is around Place Plumereau, where the old town (vieille ville or 'le Vieux Tours') is found. Place Plumereau is also a great place to sit at one of the cafes and enjoy people-watching.
Many splendid and grand houses dating from the Renaissance are found in this part of the town. The Museum of Fine Arts is found in the Archbishops Palace, and the Archaeology Museum in the Hotel Gouin. There is also a cedar tree in the garden of the Archbishops palace, famous for veing planted by Napoleon.
The Cathedral Saint-Gatien is also centrally placed, and contains the tombs of the children of Charles VIII. Most notable, although part of the cathedral dates from the 12th century, much of the western end was built in the 15th century in so-called 'flamboyant gothic' style.
The large central park in Tours warrants an amble, and provides a shady respite fom the business of the town - there are also other parks, and the city likes to refer to itself as 'the garden of France'.
Tours, France : tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Places to visit - Tours
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Tours.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Tours are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
- Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau Chateau at 29 km
- Chateau de Villandry Chateau at 20 km
Tourist Classifications for Tours
- Listed as "Ville d'Art et Histoire" (ie focus on preserving the town heritage)
- Town is "Ville Fleurie category 4" (ie good attention to gardens and flowers)
Information and photos
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