Tours is halfway between Orleans and Angers along the Loire River, and is about 1.5 hours by train from Paris. While the châteaux and wineries along the Loire Valley get most of the attention, cities like Tours offer a great base for exploring. Taking a day trip to Tours, either from Paris or from other parts of the Loire Valley, is a great day out.
We live a couple of hours south of Tours, and it’s yet another example of a very walkable river city, with interesting medieval heritage, great art and culture offerings and delightful squares.
Things to do on a day trip to Tours, France
Explore the Old Town (Le Vieux Tours)
The concentration of half-timber houses, medieval buildings and narrow streets is concentrated around Place Plumereau. This delightful square has a sunken section in the middle, filled with tables and chairs for the surrounding restaurants.
Known colloquially as ‘Place Plum’, you’ll find students, families, locals and tourists alike enjoying this square. We had lunch at one restaurant and coffees / wine at another, both were great. And yes, this is where tourists flock (because it’s darn cute), but nothing beats a convivial square in France.
Little pedestrian streets snake off this square in all directions. Opening up to rows of artisan shops, little squares with seating and topiary, or delicious views as they open up to the wider, more modern, avenues.
Visit Tours Cathedral (Saint-Gatien)
On the east side of the old town, the beautiful gothic Saint-Gatien Cathedral is a must-visit. The Tours Cathedral was built between the 12th and 16th centuries, for a blend of Gothic architectural styles, from early Gothic to flamboyant Gothic in the later sections. It has some of the best gargoyles I’ve seen on any church.
The variety of stained glass in Saint-Gatien Cathedral is something to behold – lots of different styles, colours and unusually high double windows full of colour.
If you are just on a day trip to Tours, then you probably won’t have time to do more than one or two of the below, choose what suits your mood and preferences…
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Next door to the cathedral is the Tours Museum of Fine Arts. Housed in the former Archbishop’s Palace, the Musée des Beaux-Arts has an impressive collection of European art, including some Delacroix, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Degas.
The beautiful building and manicured gardens make this a lovely spot to while away a couple of hours.
Chateau de Tours – Art Centre
More of a grand historic residence than a traditional fortified castle, the Château de Tours dates back to the 11th century and has seen many uses over the years, from royal residence to military barracks.
Nowadays, it’s home to art and photography exhibitions, as well as some interesting local history displays. It’s right near the river, making it a great stop on a walk along the Loire (see more on that later).
Hôtel Goüin
This 15th-century mansion is one of the best surviving examples of Renaissance architecture in Tours, with its ornate stone facade featuring detailed carvings and a beautiful inner courtyard. It is now a contemporary art space.
Tourist Train
If you’re short on time, taking the tourist train around Tours is a great way to see a lot in 90 minutes. Taking a loop round the main sights in the town, it also saves the feet if you’re feeling weary.
We were sitting at a cafe on Place Plumereau and were surprised to see the little tourist train coming round the corner and onto the square. Even medieval town centres can’t stop these things!
Stroll along the Loire River
The Loire Valley runs from the Massif Central near the Ardèche region to the Atlantic Ocean at Saint-Nazaire, and is the longest river in France at 1,012 kms / 629 miles. The Loire Valley is often referred to as the ‘Garden of France’, for its lush and verdant riverside green spaces and vineyards.
Tours has a lovely riverside promenades, bridges and pathways on both sides of the river, as well as around l’île Simon, a small natural island in the middle of the river (accessible via Pont Napoléon).
While strolling around Tours, you’ll most likely cross Rue Nationale at some point. This ridiculously long and straight street stretches approximately 7 kilometres from the city’s northern to southern edges. While the street changes name along its path, the broad and straight avenue was part of the modernisation away from winding medieval streets in the 18th century.
Sample Some local wine & Food
The Loire Valley is renowned for its delicious food and wine. When visiting Tours on a day trip, try these delicious items:
- Rillettes de Tours – A slow-cooked, shredded pork spread, served on crusty bread
- Sainte-Maure de Touraine – A goat cheese with a distinctive straw running through the middle, known for its creamy texture and slightly tangy taste
- Tarte Tatin – Though technically from nearby Sologne, this famous upside-down caramelised apple tart is a Loire Valley favourite
- Vouvray – A crisp, floral white wine made from Chenin Blanc grapes, produced in the vineyards just east of Tours
- Chinon – A red wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes, known for its earthy, peppery flavour, produced to the southwest of Tours
- Fouées – Small, puffed bread pockets cooked in wood-fired ovens and often stuffed with rillettes, cheese, or other fillings
- Nougat de Tours – More like a pie, this dense, almond-filled pastry has a layer of apricot jam and a sweet, flaky crust
Take a side trip to a nearby château
If you have time, a side-quest to one of the many nearby chateaux is a great idea. The area around the Loire Valley and its tributaries is flush with grand houses, heritage that speaks of wealth and power, and castles that have been carefully preserved or restored.
These chateaux are within 30-40 minutes of Tours, perfect for a day trip schedule:
Château de Chenonceau
Arguably one of the most iconic châteaux in the Loire Valley, Chenonceau spans the Cher River with stunningly elegant arches. It is known as the ‘Ladies’ Château’ due to the powerful women who shaped its history, including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici. Kayaking / boating on Cher River underneath the chateau in summer is a must-do activity.
I once saw a post on instagram proclaiming that Chenonceau is a ‘chateau you’ve probably never heard of’. My somewhat snarky retort of – ‘it’s one of the most visited castles in France (c.800,000 visitors per year), so people have definitely heard of it’ – probably wasn’t appreciated, but I sure am sick of seeing stupid clickbait like that. There’s no shame in framing it as ‘I’d never heard of Chateau de Chenonceau before we visited the Loire Valley’!
Château de Villandry
Villandry is all about the gardens. Sure, the chateau itself is a fine example of Renaissance architecture, but the real star of the show is the extensive, perfectly manicured gardens. There are ornamental kitchen gardens, a water garden, a maze, and a section dedicated to love (with each part representing a different kind of love, from tender to tragic). If you’re into geometry and topiary, this one’s for you.
Château d’Amboise
Sitting high above the Loire River, Chateau d’Amboise has a fascinating history – it was a royal residence for the French monarchy, a favourite of kings like Charles VIII and François I. It’s also where you’ll find the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his final years nearby. The views over the town and river from its ramparts are worth the visit alone.
Château du Clos Lucé
Just down the road from Chateau d’Amboise, the Chateau du Clos Lucé is where Leonardo da Vinci lived out his last years, after being invited to France by François I. The chateau is now a museum dedicated to the Renaissance master, complete with models of his inventions, interactive exhibits, and lovely gardens filled with oversized versions of his designs.
Château de Chambord
Ok, this one’s a bit of a stretch at just over an hour from Tours, but it’s too iconic to leave off the list. Chateau de Chambord is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, famous for its double-helix staircase (allegedly designed by da Vinci) and ridiculously ornate rooftop spires. It’s a proper ‘go big or go home’ kind of place, built to impress and show off royal power – and it does exactly that.
Don’t miss a weekend in the western end of the Loire Valley from Angers to Chinon!
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
