Tours

Tours is the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It is situated on the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast the region surrounding Tours is known for its wines and the legendary perfection of its local spoken French – which is considered to be without accent. It is also the finishing point of the famous Paris-Tours cycling race and in 732 was the site of the Battle of Tours in 732 notable as the point in which Western Christians were able to turn the tide against the Muslim conquests in Europe.

The city derives its name, Tours, from the French word tours which means “towers”. The church of Saint-Martin was one of the great Romanesque pilgrimage churches and the powerful bishops of Tours, such as Gregory of Tours, were personages to be reckoned with for the monarchs of the day.

Events in Tours:

The cathedral of Tours is dedicated to Saint Gatien (its first bishop). Its construction started in 1170 to replace the just-started cathedral that was burnt down four years earlier during the battle between King Louis VII and King Henry II of England.

The remnants of the first stages of construction belong to the 12th century but the rest of the cathedral is pure 15th century Gothic. The cathedral was completed just as the Renaissance was sweeping the nation – around the same time as, for example, Château de Chenonceau was being constructed.

Famous illuminator Jean Fouquet decorated the Cathedral in the 15th century. His depiction of Solomon’s Temple was modelled on the Cathedral of Tours which was still under construction at the time.

The city centre of Tours has a population of over 150,000. There are many parks dotted throughout the city which over the centuries has been known as the Garden of France.

The architecture of Tours is very much the typical Northern Ardoise style – white buildings with blue slate roofs. The South being better know for the terracotta roofs.

The famous old section of the city (Le Vieux Tours) features medieval half-timbered houses, and Place Plumereau. The square at Place Jean-Jaures, and is the location of weekly markets and fairs.

Near the cathedral, in the garden of the ancient Palais des Archevêques which still features beautiful gardens as well as the Museum of Beaux-Arts – there is also a huge cedar tree which was planted by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Transport

Tours is the essential starting point for any trip to the Loire Valley. Just a few hours drive south from Paris on the Autoroute, Tours is well worth a stop.

The best way to get from Paris to Tours is by TGV (France’s high speed train network) which will take you less than an hour. Tours is on one of the main TGV lines on which trains reach upwards of 200km/h.

Tours has two main train stations, the central station and the St Pierre Des Corps station.

Tours Loire Valley Airport connects the Loire Valley to London Stansted Airport. This link is provided by the Irish airline Ryanair. National connection to Figari on Corsica is available during the summer, too.

Tours has a bus system but no metro trains. The main central bus station is named Jean Jaures and is situated next to the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall).

Tours Events: