Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Tours, France

It’s well known that Tours serves as an excellent base for travelers exploring the celebrated châteaux of the Loire Valley.

Villandry, Chenonceau, and Amboise are just a short drive away, and with the Loire à Vélo network, you can easily visit them by bike.

Nevertheless, as you delve deeper into the history and attractions of Tours, you might find it challenging to leave the city.

In the city center, timber-framed houses and Renaissance mansions line pedestrian streets, while museums invite you to explore the city’s medieval heritage.

Vineyards await curious wine enthusiasts in the surrounding countryside, and the waters and banks of the Loire beckon you to follow your sense of adventure.

Let us explore the top attractions in Tours:

1. Tours Cathedral

Even by the slow pace of construction typical of the Middle Ages, the completion of Tours Cathedral took considerable time.

Construction commenced in 1170 and was not finalized until 1547, resulting in a remarkable representation of the evolution of Gothic architecture.

The collection of original 13th-century stained glass windows within the ambulatory chapels and above the choir is considered one of the finest in France, imparting an ethereal glow.

Informational panels within the cathedral elucidate the significance of each image.

Additionally, the marble Renaissance tombs of King Charles VIII and the children of Anne of Brittany—each having sadly died in infancy—serve as poignant historical reminders.

2. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours

The wealth garnered from Cardinal Richelieu’s 17th-century efforts against the Huguenots, along with artworks seized from abbeys during the Revolution, now resides in the distinguished fine arts museum of Tours.

Due to their religious origins, the museum boasts a notable collection of Italian Gothic primitives from the 14th and 15th centuries, alongside two masterful Renaissance paintings by Andrea Mantegna.

Visitors can explore over a thousand artworks, including sculptures by Rodin and renowned Flemish and Dutch paintings by artists such as Rembrandt and Rubens, as well as Impressionist works by Monet and Degas.

3. Tours Botanical Garden

The municipal garden of Tours is located in a somewhat precarious position between the Loire and Cher rivers, making it vulnerable to flooding historically, with two major inundations occurring in the mid-19th century that inundated the greenhouses with two meters of water.

Despite the past, and even after sustaining damage during the Second World War, these tranquil gardens present no trace of their troubled history.

As you stroll through the gardens, you may encounter some unique species of trees, such as the Chinese empress tree, ginkgo biloba, and the endangered dawn redwood.

The animal park, established in 1863, features domestic animals for children to interact with, along with more exotic species like wallabies.

4. Le Vieux Tours

Like other outstanding historic city centers, the historic architecture in the pedestrian streets surrounding Place Plumereau is not merely a collection of museum artifacts, but rather vibrant elements of local life, serving as shops, restaurants, and bars.

Place de Plumereau is situated in the heart of one of Europe’s largest conservation areas, showcasing Renaissance mansions adorned with sculpted reliefs and cantilevered timber homes that have thrived for centuries.

If you are comfortable with being recognized as a tourist, consider boarding the little train that departs from Place Plumereau every hour during the summer months.

5. Musée du Compagnonnage

Located within the 16th-century dormitory of the former Abbey of Saint-Julien, this museum is dedicated to a French workers’ movement that has its roots in medieval traditions.

Essentially, the Compagnons du Tour de France functions as a guild for journeymen, preserving historical trades and educating young individuals through the apprenticeship model.

To complete the apprenticeship and earn the title of “companion,” a craftsperson must create an exemplary work within their chosen discipline.

This museum showcases these impressive achievements across various crafts, including metalwork, tailoring, shoemaking, and woodcarving.

6. Hôtel Goüin

Perhaps one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Tours, Hôtel Goüin has recently undergone an extensive restoration and is now open to the public.

This early Renaissance palace on Rue du Commerce features a balustraded porch and loggia reminiscent of the setting where Juliet might call for Romeo.

During the restoration, remnants of an older structure from the 1100s were uncovered, including four arches and a well, which are now on display.

You may wish to pause for a photograph of its stunning facade, but the interior houses an archaeological museum with artifacts spanning from Roman times to the 19th century.

7. Halles de Tours

Bringing your camera is advisable as the cheese, charcuterie, seafood, and seasonal produce counters are presented with considerable artistry.

If you are in need of gift ideas, markets like this provide an excellent selection of the region’s finest products.

In Tours, this includes wine from the Loire Valley and luxury chocolates.

Recognized as one of France’s chocolate capitals, Tours hosts the Salon du Chocolat de Tours annually at the Centre de Congrès Vinci.

Make sure to enjoy lunch as well: The oyster bar offers freshly shucked oysters.

8. Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé

During the French Second Empire in the mid-1800s, English-style parks like this one became popular in provincial cities across France.

These spaces were designed for urban families to take leisurely walks, for children to play, and for communities to host outdoor concerts in the park’s gazebo.

With less formality than French parterres, winding paths meander through tulip flowerbeds and clusters of lime, plane, cedar, chestnut, and towering redwood trees.

If you seek a moment of tranquility, take a stroll by the pond and enjoy a tea or coffee at the nearby kiosk.

On warmer days, you may want to gather cheese and charcuterie from the market for a delightful French picnic.

9. Église Saint-Julien de Tours

The earlier iterations of this 12th-century abbey were destroyed by the Normans in the 9th century, followed by devastation during a conflict between the feudal houses of Blois and Anjou in the 10th century.

Remarkably, the structure that succeeded them has endured everything from the French Revolution to the Second World War.

This building was part of a now-extinct abbey, with the gardens adjacent to the church marking the location of the former cloister, while the Musée de Compagnonnage occupies the previous dormitory.

10. “Toue” River Cruises

Commercial vessels have navigated the Loire and Cher rivers since ancient times, transporting people, wine, silk, lumber, salt, and various other goods along these waterways.

Given the shallow nature of the rivers, flat-bottomed boats known as “toues” were employed, which can also accommodate you! These boats accommodate between 12 and 30 passengers for hour-long excursions, or even intimate dinner cruises in the evening.

The experienced skippers are well-acquainted with these waters and their banks; they provide fascinating insights into Tours’ river trade, its colorful characters, and the associated challenges.

11. Loire à Vélo

When envisioning quintessentially French holiday activities, cycling alongside the Loire amidst gently undulating, vine-covered hills and historic châteaux is likely among the first images to come to mind.

Approximately 150km of the Loire à Vélo cycling trail, which spans a total of 800km, is situated in the Touraine region.

The route is well-marked, reasonably flat as it follows the riverside, and convenient with numerous rental stations available along the way.

You may choose specific destinations such as Amboise or Villandry, both of which are accessible in about an hour.

Alternatively, you can opt for a more adventurous experience by venturing further and spending the night at welcoming inns along the route that cater to cyclists.

12. Guinguette sur Loire

Located on the left bank of the Loire, near Pont Wilson, Tours’ “Guinguette” operates from May to September.

Summer in Tours is not truly recognized until this outdoor café by the river becomes lively each evening, inviting locals and visitors to enjoy the terrace bar, engage in dance lessons, attend concerts, or watch movies projected in the outdoor cinema.

As a city renowned for its student population, Tours exudes a warm and vibrant atmosphere.

The setting is enchanting, beneath willow trees and twinkling string lights, with the river gently flowing nearby.

Each year, the Guinguette introduces new activities to its schedule.

13. Wine and Gastronomic Visits

If you appreciate fine wine, you are in the right place.

The region boasts an abundance of AOCs: a dozen within an hour, and five neighboring the city.

The diversity is astounding, featuring red wines from Touraine-Chenonceau, white wines from Touraine Sauvignon, and rosés produced in Touraine noble joué.

In terms of specialty foods, you can find a saffron market in Preuilly-sur-Claise and a seasonal truffle market in Marigny-Marmande.

The local cheese, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, is renowned for its distinct cylindrical shape and the straw that pierces through its center.

For further insight, visit the dairy at Les Passerelles or the family-friendly goat farm, Cabri au Lait, which produces Sainte-Maure and features a petting zoo for young visitors.

14. Château de Villandry

Visiting Tours without exploring one of the many outstanding châteaux in the region would be a missed opportunity.

Tours is often recognized as a gateway to these extraordinary examples of French royal and noble heritage.

It takes only 20 minutes to reach Villandry, which is among the finest.

The gardens are the primary attraction at this château.

They were revitalized at the turn of the 20th century by Spanish physician Joachim Carvallo.

He designed multiple terraced Renaissance gardens, featuring precisely clipped boxwood hedges arranged in cheerful geometric patterns.

Highlighting the property are a water garden, a labyrinth, a sun garden, an ornamental garden with tall hedges, but the most remarkable aspect is the formal medieval kitchen garden, arranged in orderly plots.

15. Château d’Amboise

The residence of Francis I and much of the French nobility during the 16th century lies just a 20-minute drive or train ride to the east.

The château reached its pinnacle during the Renaissance, notably after Charles VIII converted it from a fortress to the Loire Valley’s first Italian-style palace in the late 15th century.

In 1516, Francis I invited Leonardo da Vinci to reside and create in Amboise; the polymath’s residence, Clos Lucé, was connected to Château d’Amboise via underground passageways, which can be explored today by prior arrangement.

Da Vinci passed away here in 1519 and is interred at the Chapel of Saint-Hubert within the château.

The gardens are adorned with spherical topiaries, and the views from this elevated position above the Loire are exquisite.