, home to art, elegant churches, historic remnants, and more. Tours is a charming city surrounded by vineyards in the middle of France. The region is traversed by the Loire River on its way to the Atlantic coast. The city is famous for the Battle of Tours in A.D 732.
As you wander its numerous medieval alleys, streets, and plazas, you’ll come across churches, museums, galleries, and parks. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is in a former bishop’s palace. Explore more than one hundred pieces of art, including sculptures and paintings by Monet, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Rodin, among others. Take a look around the grand structure’s colorful gardens and courtyard. Place Plumereau, a square in the city center, is home to fine dining establishments and cafes. Drink coffee in the outdoor seating area. Take note of the historic buildings whose black-and-white facades line the sides of the plaza. As one of Tours’ most recognizable elements, the location is a popular meeting spot. Visit the Prieure de Saint-Cosme, ruins of a priory from the 11th century. Discover medieval artifacts and antique furniture. The picturesque garden is named after the 16th-century poet Pierre de Ronsard, who spent several decades living at the priory. Make your way to the Tours Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century. Note the blend of Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Inside you’ll find a 16th-century organ.
Take a look at the massive Saint Martin’s Basilica, built in 1909. Stained glass windows and a neo-Byzantine design are highlights. Its western clock tower dates back to the original church built on this site honoring the Bishop of Tours from the fourth century.
The regional French dialect spoken in Tours is said to be neutral and easy to understand. Tours was formerly known as Caesarondunum (Caeser Hill) in Roman times. The current name of the city resembles the former Gallic term, Turones.
The TGV train ride from Paris to Tours takes just over an hour. Enjoy a pleasurable vacation browsing these historic sites in the Loire Valley.
