Stay sustainably in the heart of the Loire Valley. Tours is your gateway to the world's most spectacular châteaux — and every IMPT booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Tours is universally recognised as the gateway to the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape stretching over 280 kilometres along France's longest river. Situated at the confluence of the Loire and the Cher, Tours occupies a privileged geographic position that has attracted travellers, pilgrims, and royalty for more than a thousand years. The city served as the de facto capital of France during parts of the 15th and 16th centuries, and that Renaissance grandeur still permeates its streets today.
The old quarter — known as Vieux Tours — is a remarkably intact medieval neighbourhood centred on Place Plumereau, one of the most beautiful squares in all of France. Dozens of half-timbered houses dating from the 14th and 15th centuries line narrow cobbled lanes, their ground floors now occupied by bustling café terraces, independent bookshops, and artisan boutiques. Walk a few minutes south and you reach the monumental Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, a masterwork of Gothic architecture built over three centuries with some of the finest stained-glass windows in the country.
Beyond its historical riches, Tours is a thoroughly modern university city. The Université de Tours brings over 30,000 students into the city each year, fuelling a lively cultural scene with galleries, live music venues, and a dining culture that punches well above its weight. Touraine — the region surrounding Tours — is often called the "Garden of France" thanks to its extraordinarily mild climate, fertile soil, and the quality of its spoken French, long considered the purest in the country. The city's TGV station puts you just 1 hour and 15 minutes from central Paris, making Tours an easy weekend escape or an ideal base for extended château exploration.
The primary way to reach Tours is via the TGV high-speed train from Paris Montparnasse, which runs frequently and covers the distance in roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes. Tours also has its own airport — Tours Val de Loire — located just 7 kilometres northeast of the city centre, though flights are limited to seasonal routes from destinations like London Stansted, Porto, and Marrakech. For drivers, the A10 motorway connects Tours to Paris (about 235 km north) and Bordeaux (about 340 km south).
Once in Tours, the city is highly walkable. The tram line (Line A) runs east to west through the centre, and the Vélociti bike-share system provides an affordable way to cover longer distances. However, the real magic lies beyond the city limits. Renting a car opens up the full châteaux circuit: Château de Chenonceau is a 30-minute drive east, Château de Villandry is 20 minutes west, Château d'Amboise sits 25 minutes northeast, and the fairy-tale Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is 30 minutes to the southwest. Alternatively, the Loire à Vélo cycling trail — a 900-kilometre signposted route that follows the Loire from Cuffy to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins — passes directly through Tours, making it a superb hub for two-wheeled château-hopping.
For the best areas to stay, Vieux Tours around Place Plumereau offers the liveliest nightlife and restaurant scene. The area around Place Jean Jaurès and the train station (Gare de Tours) provides the most convenient transport links. The Les Prébendes neighbourhood, centred on the elegant Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé, is a quieter residential area with tree-lined boulevards. And just across the Loire, the suburb of Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire offers river views and a calmer pace while remaining just minutes from the centre.
The historic heart of the city, packed with half-timbered medieval houses, narrow lanes, and the liveliest restaurant and bar scene in Tours. Place Plumereau is the social hub, surrounded by café terraces that hum until late. Walk to the cathedral, the Loire riverbank, and Rue Colbert's independent shops in minutes. Best for: nightlife, dining, history.
The area around the main train station (Gare de Tours) and the grand Place Jean Jaurès is the most convenient base for arrivals and departures. Boulevard Heurteloup and the surrounding streets host some of the city's most established hotels. The tram stops here, and you're equidistant from Vieux Tours to the north and the Prébendes gardens to the south. Best for: convenience, transport links, central location.
A refined residential quarter south of the centre, anchored by the Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé — a beautiful English-style park designed in the 19th century. The streets here are wide and tree-lined, with elegant townhouses and a notably quieter atmosphere than the old town. Close to the Jardin Botanique and the Tonnellé tram stop. Best for: families, quiet stays, green spaces.
Just across the Pont Wilson on the northern bank of the Loire, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire is a suburban commune that offers river views, larger green spaces, and a more relaxed residential feel. Several hotels and guesthouses here provide easy access to the city centre (10 minutes by car or bus) while escaping the bustle. Best for: river views, tranquillity, driving access.
From grand 19th-century institutions to modern design hotels, Tours offers accommodation for every budget. Book through IMPT and every stay removes 1 tonne of CO₂ — at the same price you'd pay on any other platform.
A historic grand hotel established in 1846, occupying a commanding position on Boulevard Heurteloup near the train station. Its lobby walls are adorned with plaques honouring famous guests including Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway. Features restaurant, bar, fitness centre, and elegant period décor throughout.
Book Sustainably →A contemporary design hotel that blends modern art with comfortable accommodation in a central location near Place Jean Jaurès. Each floor follows a different artistic theme. Amenities include a stylish bar, outdoor terrace, and private parking — a rarity in central Tours.
Book Sustainably →Part of the Oceania Hotels group, this centrally located 4-star property combines classic French hotel style with modern comforts. Guests enjoy an on-site spa with sauna and hammam, a gastronomic restaurant, and well-appointed meeting rooms — popular with both leisure travellers and business visitors.
Book Sustainably →A modern, colourful hotel in the heart of Tours, just minutes from Place Jean Jaurès and the tram line. The Ibis Styles brand includes breakfast in the room rate — a practical advantage for families. Bright, well-designed rooms with playful contemporary décor make this an excellent mid-range choice for city exploration.
Book Sustainably →Directly opposite the Gare de Tours, this Mercure property is the most convenient hotel in the city for TGV travellers. Modern rooms with soundproofing, a bar lounge, and efficient service make it ideal for business travellers and those using Tours as a Loire Valley base with frequent train connections.
Book Sustainably →A charming budget hotel tucked away on a quiet street in the old town, just steps from Place Plumereau. The Hôtel du Manoir occupies a characterful historic building with exposed stone walls and timber beams. Simple but comfortable rooms, a warm welcome, and an unbeatable location in the heart of Vieux Tours make it a favourite with independent travellers.
Book Sustainably →A Gothic masterpiece constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries, dedicated to Saint Gatianus, the first Bishop of Tours. The west façade is a spectacular display of Flamboyant Gothic tracery, while the interior houses some of the oldest stained-glass windows in France, dating to the 13th century. The cloister garden — La Psallette — is a serene escape beside the cathedral.
Housed in the former Archbishop's Palace adjacent to the cathedral, this fine arts museum holds an outstanding collection spanning from the 14th to the 20th century. Highlights include works by Andrea Mantegna, Peter Paul Rubens, Eugène Delacroix, and Edgar Degas. The palace itself, with its grand staircase and formal gardens featuring a Lebanese cedar planted in 1804, is worth the visit alone.
The beating heart of Vieux Tours and one of the finest medieval squares in France. Enclosed by beautifully restored half-timbered houses from the 14th and 15th centuries, the square is packed with café terraces that fill from morning coffee to late-night drinks. The surrounding lanes — Rue du Grand Marché, Rue de la Rôtisserie, Rue du Change — reward aimless wandering.
Originally a medieval fortress, the Château de Tours now serves as a contemporary art centre hosting world-class photography and visual arts exhibitions throughout the year. Its towers offer panoramic views over the Loire, and the surrounding gardens provide a pleasant walking area along the river. Free entry to most exhibitions.
A major pilgrimage destination, this basilica marks the site where Saint Martin of Tours — one of Christianity's most revered saints — was buried in the 4th century. The current neo-Byzantine structure was built in the early 20th century after the medieval original was largely destroyed during the Revolution. The crypt houses Saint Martin's tomb.
A 5-hectare botanical garden established in 1843, featuring over 3,000 plant species from around the world. The garden includes a tropical greenhouse, a medicinal plant garden, a rose garden, and a small zoo with farmyard animals — making it a favourite with families. Free entry year-round.
Just 20 minutes west of Tours, Villandry is famous worldwide for its extraordinary Renaissance gardens, arranged on three terraced levels: ornamental flower gardens, geometric vegetable gardens, and a water garden. The château itself, the last of the great Renaissance châteaux built on the Loire, houses a fine collection of Spanish paintings.
Known as the "Ladies' Château" for the succession of women who shaped its destiny, Chenonceau is perhaps the most photogenic château in the Loire Valley. Its iconic gallery spans the River Cher on a series of graceful arches. Located 30 minutes east of Tours, it draws over 800,000 visitors per year and is the most visited château in France after Versailles.
The Loire à Vélo is a 900-kilometre signed cycling route that follows the Loire from Cuffy in the Cher department to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins on the Atlantic coast. Tours sits at the heart of the route, making it an ideal starting point for day rides or multi-day itineraries along flat, well-maintained paths through vineyards, villages, and past dozens of châteaux.
Every summer, temporary open-air bars and dance venues pop up along the banks of the Loire — a beloved Tourangeau tradition. These guinguettes serve local wines, grilled meats, and simple plates while live bands play musette, jazz, or rock. The best-known stretch is on the Île Simon, accessible by footbridge from the centre of Tours.
3 km · 1.5 hours · Easy
Start at Place Plumereau and wind through the medieval lanes of the old town. Pass the Tour Charlemagne and the Basilique Saint-Martin, walk east along Rue Colbert — the main artery of Renaissance Tours — to reach the majestic Cathédrale Saint-Gatien. Finish with a descent to the Loire banks via the Pont Wilson for panoramic river views.
8 km · 2.5 hours · Easy
Follow the northern bank of the Loire east from the Pont Wilson. Pass through the Île Simon with its summer guinguettes, continue past the Pont de Fil (a pedestrian suspension bridge), and carry on to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. The path is flat and tree-lined, with constant river views and several spots to stop for a picnic.
35 km · 4 hours · Moderate
A classic day ride from Tours to Villandry and back. Head west along the Cher valley on quiet country roads and dedicated cycle paths. Spend time exploring Villandry's extraordinary gardens, then return via the Loire's north bank through the wine village of Savonnières. Flat terrain with gentle gradients.
The fastest and most convenient option is the TGV high-speed train from Paris Montparnasse station, which takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes with frequent departures throughout the day. Tickets can be booked via SNCF Connect. Alternatively, you can drive via the A10 motorway (approximately 2.5 hours, 235 km) or fly into Tours Val de Loire airport, which has limited seasonal routes from several European cities.
May to September is the ideal window. Spring (April–May) brings mild temperatures of 15–20°C and the châteaux gardens at their blooming best. Summer (June–August) offers outdoor dining, festivals like the Vitiloire wine festival and Tours sur Loire, and long daylight hours — though it is also the busiest period. Autumn (September–October) is perfect for wine harvest experiences in Vouvray and Chinon with fewer crowds and golden foliage.
Yes — Tours is widely considered the best base for Loire Valley château exploration. Château de Chenonceau is a 30-minute drive east, Château de Villandry is 20 minutes west, Château d'Amboise is 25 minutes northeast, and Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is 30 minutes southwest. You can visit by car, join an organised minibus tour, cycle the Loire à Vélo trail, or use regional bus services.
Absolutely. Tours has a compact city centre where all major sights — Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, Place Plumereau, Château de Tours, and the Loire riverbank — sit within a 20-minute walk of each other. The city also operates a modern tram system (Line A) and the Vélociti bike-share scheme, which provides an affordable option for covering longer distances or reaching outlying neighbourhoods.
Touraine is one of France's great gastronomic regions. Local specialities include Rillettes de Tours (a coarser, more textured pork spread than its Le Mans rival), Nougat de Tours (a traditional cake filled with dried fruits and nuts), Vouvray wines (Chenin Blanc in still, sparkling, and sweet styles), Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOC goat cheese (recognisable by the straw through its centre), and Géline de Touraine (a heritage black-feathered chicken). The best place to sample everything is Les Halles de Tours, the covered market near Place Jean Jaurès.