Now the capital of Touraine, Tours was the capital of the kingdom of France in the 15th and 16th centuries. The city has kept many traces of its past and invites you to discover them.
A very lively neighbourhood, the old town and its famous Place Plumereau are the beating heart of Tours. Lined with half-timbered houses and mansions, this pedestrian square is brimming with restaurants and cafés. Also discover the city's flagship monument, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Gatianus with a richly decorated Flamboyant façade. Inside, you can see a 13th-century choir, admire splendid stained-glass windows from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, and see the tombs of the children of Charles VIII. Adjacent to the cathedral, the Psalette Cloister is composed of three galleries combining Flamboyant and Renaissance architecture. Tours' old town also includes the royal castle. One famous figure who spent time there was Joan of Arc, following her victory in Orleans. Today, it is a mecca for contemporary art.
Art and history enthusiasts should check out the city's various museums. Situated in the Goüin mansion with its Renaissance architecture, the Touraine Archaeological Museum documents the history of the region from Prehistory to the 18th century. The Museum of Fine Arts is located in the former Archbishops' Palace and exhibits works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. If you are a lover of fine vintages, the Touraine Wine Museum should appeal to you.
Then enjoy a little free time in one of the city's green spaces. The lush, verdant Prébendes d'Oé garden is ideal for a stroll. It is one of six Touraine gardens classified as "Remarkable Gardens". The Gloriette Park, meanwhile, is ideal for various outdoor activities and hosts many events such as the kite festival or music festivals.
We cannot talk about Tours without mentioning its wide range of entertainment for visitors. For instance the Light Trail (Parcours Lumière): over one kilometre, illuminated monuments tell the history of the city. In the summer, the Renaissance Nights offer a sound and light show projected onto the façades of the Museum of Fine Arts. Also worth mentioning is the summer guinguette (open-air café event) with its range of entertainment for young and old alike, which is always a great success.
