WHAT TO SEE & DO
Overview Table
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tours Cathedral | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Cathedral | Self | Free |
| 2 | City Center | ✦✦✦✧✧ | City Center | Self | Free |
| 3 | St. Martin Basilica | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Basilica | Self | Free |
| 4 | Campagnonnage Museum | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Museum - Handicraft | Self | Paid € |
| 5 | Botanical Garden | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 6 | Prébendes Garden | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 7 | Loire River Banks | ✦✧✧✧✧ | River Banks | Self | Free |
| 8 | Food Market | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 9 | Fine Arts Museum | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - Art | Self | Paid € |
| 10 | St. Cosme Priory Ruins | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Priory Ruins + Garden | Self | Paid € |
| 11 | Olivier Debré Art Center | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Exhibits - Contemporary Art | Self | Paid € |
| 12 | Goüin Hotel | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Exhibits - Contemporary Art | Self | Paid € |
| 13 | Tours Castle | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Exhibits - Contemporary Art | Self | Paid € |
| 14 | River Boat | ✦✧✧✧✧ | River Boat | Tour | Paid € |
| 15 | Tourist Train | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Tourist Train | Tour | Paid € |
| 16 | Charlemagne Tower | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Tower | Either | Either |
| 17 | Clock Tower | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Tower | Outside | Free |
1. Tours Cathedral
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Type Cathedral
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours
The Tours Cathedral is a striking example of Gothic architecture that dominates the cityscape. Construction began in the 12th century and was completed in the 16th century, reflecting various Gothic styles.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
2. City Center
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type City Center
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Le Vieux Tours
The heart of Tours, the City Center is a vibrant hub with medieval streets, bustling squares, and charming cafes. It’s an excellent place to explore local shops and historic buildings. The area is lively, especially around Place Plumereau, known for its half-timbered houses and outdoor dining.
3. St. Martin Basilica
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Basilica
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours
The Basilica of St. Martin is a site dedicated to St. Martin of Tours. Rebuilt in the 19th century after being destroyed during the French Revolution, it stands on the remnants of earlier churches. It combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements. The basilica’s crypt houses the tomb of St. Martin, making it a site of great religious importance.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
4. Campagnonnage Museum
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Handicraft Museum
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Musée du Compagnonnage
This unique museum celebrates the tradition of the “Compagnons du Devoir,” skilled craftspeople and artisans of France. It showcases their craftsmanship through various exhibits. Visitors can learn about the history and techniques of these master artisans.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
5. Botanical Garden
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Jardin Botanique de Tours
Tours’ Botanical Garden is a lush, green space perfect for relaxation and learning about diverse plant species. Established in 1843, it features themed gardens, a greenhouse, and a small zoo.
6. Prébendes Garden
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé
The Prébendes Garden is a picturesque English-style garden with winding paths, ponds, and diverse flora.
7. Loire River Banks
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type River Banks
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
The banks on both sides of the Loire River in Tours offer paths where you can take a stroll.
8. Food Market
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Covered & Outdoor Food Market
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Names
Halles de Tours
Marché des Halles
Halles Market in Tours is a covered food market open every morning and afternoon, except Sunday afternoon.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the market expands outside into the open air.
9. Fine Arts Museum
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Art Museum + Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Musée des Beaux Arts
MBA
Housed in the former Archbishop’s Palace, the Fine Arts Museum of Tours features a collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum’s collection spans from the Middle Ages to contemporary works.
The building complex also includes a pleasant small garden.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
⚙️ Visitor Info (Official Website – Fr)
The building complex also includes a pleasant small garden.
10. St. Cosme Priory Ruins
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Priory Ruins + Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Prieuré Saint-Cosme de Tours
Demeure de Ronsard
The ruins of St. Cosme Priory are the remains of a former monastery where the poet Pierre de Ronsard spent his last days. The site includes gardens and the poet’s tomb.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
11. Olivier Debré Art Center
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Contemporary Art Exhibitions
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Centre de Création Contemporaine Olivier-Debré
CCC OD
This contemporary art center is dedicated to the works of Olivier Debré, a renowned abstract painter. The center hosts rotating exhibitions and cultural events. Its modern architecture contrasts with the historical surroundings.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
12. Goüin Hotel
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Contemporary Art Exhibitions
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Hôtel Goüin
The Goüin Hotel is a beautiful Renaissance mansion that now serves as a museum. It features mainly art exhibits. The building itself is a fine example of 15th-century architecture.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
13. Tours Castle
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Contemporary Art Exhibitions
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Château de Tours
Tours Castle, also known as Château de Tours, is a historic castle dating back to the 11th century. It now hosts art exhibitions and cultural events.
14. River Boat
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type River Boat
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
You can take a leisurely boat ride on the Loire River with the wooden boat named Boutavant.
To make a reservation, you’ll need to contact the tourism office.
Provider
Boutavant
15. Tourist Train
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Tourist Train
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
French Name
Le Petit Train
The Tours Tourist Train provides a convenient and fun way to see the city’s main attractions. The train offers audioguided tours with commentary on the history and landmarks of Tours.
16. Charlemagne Tower
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Tower
Visit Outside only or Guided
Cost Free or Paid
French Name
Tour Charlemagne
The Charlemagne Tower is a historic remnant of the ancient basilica dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. Constructed in the 11th century as part of the larger basilica complex, it survived various conflicts and the French Revolution, which destroyed much of the basilica.
On certain days of the year, the interior and top of the tower are open for guided tours, but only in French.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
17. Clock Tower
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Tower
Visit Outside only
Cost Free
French Names
Tour de l’Horloge
Tour du Trésor
The Clock Tower, or Tour de l’Horloge, is a historic structure built in the 12th century as part of the Basilica of Saint-Martin, similar to the Charlemagne Tower which also survived the French Revolution.
It features a significant clock installed in the late 18th century.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN LOIRE VALLEY
Things to Do in Azay-le-Rideau Village
Things to Do in Candes-Saint-Martin Village
Things to Do in Chenonceaux Village
Things to Do in Cheverny Village
Things to Do in Fontevraud-l’Abbaye Village
Things to Do in Montrésor Village
Things to Do in Montreuil-Bellay Town
Things to Do in Montsoreau Village
