If you’d like to spend a day in Tours, here’s a well-paced itinerary to make the most of the must-see sights in this city of art and history. Tours is quite compact, so you can see everything on foot if you’re prepared to walk a bit!
Tours is also well-suited to exploring by bike, setting off directly from Villandry via the ‘Loire à Vélo’ cycle route.
Morning:
- Saint-Gatien Cathedral
Flamboyant Gothic style, stunning stained-glass windows.
Take the time to have a look around the nearby Psalette cloister – it’s a real gem.
- Tours Museum of Fine Arts (right next to the cathedral)
Housed in the former bishop’s palace.
A collection of paintings (Delacroix, Monet, Rubens…), sculptures and a superb Lebanese cedar in the garden.
Lunch:
- Place Plumereau
Located in Old Tours (“Plume” to the locals).
Plenty of lovely little restaurants in half-timbered houses.
Tours is brimming with restaurants and talented chefs specialising in all styles of cuisine, particularly around Les Halles.
Afternoon:
- Saint-Martin Basilica and the crypt
An important place of pilgrimage on the Way of St James.
The crypt houses the tomb of Saint Martin.
- Old Town (there’s one on either side of Rue Nationale).
Stroll through the medieval alleyways and discover the half-timbered houses and charming little squares.
Don’t miss: Rue du Grand Marché, Rue Colbert
Late afternoon and evening:
- Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé, for a break in the greenery; the English-style garden is very pleasant.
- Alternatively, take a stroll along the banks of the Loire at sunset.
- Enjoy an aperitif and live music or dinner on fine days at the Guinguette on the banks of the Loire (a festive local atmosphere guaranteed!).
