Tours functions as the gateway to the Loire Valley châteaux, but the city itself packs enough attractions to fill 2 to 3 days before you even board a tour bus to Chenonceau or Villandry. The medieval half-timbered houses of Place Plumereau, the Gothic flamboyance of Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, and the tomb of Saint Martin draw history and architecture buffs, while the daily market at Les Halles and the botanical gardens appeal to food lovers and families. Most attractions sit within the compact Vieux Tours (Old Town) district, a 15-minute walk from end to end. For outdoor trip ideas beyond the city center, see our Things to Do in Tours guide which covers the full list of recommended sights.
Things to Do in Tours: Historic Sights and Museums
Cathédrale Saint-Gatien
The Cathédrale Saint-Gatien took over 350 years to build (construction ran from the 13th to the 16th century), and the result is a Gothic masterpiece with some of the finest medieval stained glass in France. The western facade features elaborate flamboyant Gothic stonework, while the 13th-century choir contains 200 square meters of luminous stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes and saints. Climb the north tower (approximately 200 steps) for a view across the rooftops of old Tours to the Loire. Entry to the cathedral is free; the tower climb costs EUR 3. Located at Place de la Cathédrale, 5 minutes on foot from Place Plumereau. Open daily 9:00 to 19:00 (shorter hours in winter, typically 9:00 to 17:00). For additional planning, see our Tours weather by month.
Place Plumereau
Place Plumereau is the postcard image of medieval Tours: a triangular cobblestone square ringed by 15th-century half-timbered houses with overhanging upper floors, their facades decorated with carved wooden figures and mullioned windows. It is the heart of the pedestrianized old town and the natural gathering point for outdoor dining from April through October. The surrounding streets (Rue du Grand Marché, Rue de la Rôtisserie) branch out into a warren of medieval lanes filled with independent shops, wine bars, and creperies. Free to wander at any time; the best light for photos is early morning before the cafe terraces fill up, or late afternoon when the western facades catch the sun. For additional planning, see our best time to visit Tours.
Basilique Saint-Martin
The Basilique Saint-Martin marks the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours (c. 316-397 AD), one of the most important saints of early medieval Christianity and the city’s patron. The current neo-Byzantine basilica dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, built atop the remains of a massive Romanesque basilica that was sacked during the French Revolution. The crypt preserves the saint’s tomb and fragments of the original 11th-century structure. The adjoining Charlemagne Tower (Tour Charlemagne) and the Clock Tower (Tour de l’Horloge) are the only surviving remnants of the original medieval collegiate church. Free entry to the basilica; the crypt costs EUR 2. Located at Rue des Halles in the old town. For additional planning, see our Tours events and festivals.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours
Housed in the former Archbishop’s Palace (a classified 18th-century building next to the cathedral), the Musée des Beaux-Arts holds one of the richest provincial collections in France. Highlights include two Rembrandt paintings (a rarity for a French museum outside Paris), a Delacroix, a Monet of the Seine at Vétheuil, and an exceptional collection of Italian primitives. The museum also contains Fritz the Elephant, a taxidermied Asian elephant that lived at the Tours circus in the 19th century and has become a bizarre local mascot. Entry EUR 6 (free first Sunday of the month). Open Wednesday to Monday 9:00 to 12:45 and 14:00 to 18:00; closed Tuesdays. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours. For additional planning, see our best neighborhoods in Tours.
Musée du Compagnonnage
This unique museum, housed in the former dormitory of the Saint-Julien Abbey, documents the French trade guild system known as compagnonnage, a centuries-old network of craftsmen that still operates today. The collection includes over 500 masterpieces: intricately carved wooden staircases, wrought-iron gates, pastry sculptures, stone masonry, and leather work, all created by journeymen as qualification pieces to earn the title of master craftsman. The level of detail is astonishing and makes this one of the most unusual museums in France. Entry EUR 6. Located at 8 Rue Nationale. Open daily except Tuesdays, 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 (closed Tuesday, open weekend afternoons only from October to March). For additional planning, see our where to stay in Tours.
Château de Tours
Not as grand as the Loire Valley showpieces, the Château de Tours is a compact 11th-to-15th-century fortress in the city center on the banks of the Loire. It served as a residence for French kings during the 15th century when Tours was briefly the capital of France (under Louis XI). Today the château houses a contemporary art exhibition space and a small museum about the history of the Loire River. The most compelling feature is the Tour de Guise, a surviving 13th-century tower where the Duke of Guise was imprisoned after the assassination of his father during the Wars of Religion. Entry EUR 5. Open Tuesday to Sunday 14:00 to 18:00 (closed Monday). For additional planning, see our Tours travel tips and FAQ.
Things to Do in Tours: Outdoor and Leisure
Jardin Botanique de Tours
Established in 1843, the Jardin Botanique covers 5 hectares on the west bank of the city along the Cher River, a 15-minute walk from the city center. The garden features a tropical greenhouse, a medicinal plant section, an arboretum, and a Japanese garden. It is also home to a small animal park with wallabies, turtles, and a flock of flamingos, which makes it a solid choice for families with young children. Free entry. Open daily from 7:45, closing time varies seasonally (from 17:00 in winter to 20:00 in summer). The garden cafe serves simple lunches and crepes from April through October.
Les Halles de Tours
The covered market in central Tours is a temple of Touraine gastronomy and the best place in the city to eat on a budget without sacrificing quality. Opened in 1869 and renovated in 2013, Les Halles houses over 40 stallholders selling everything from Sainte-Maure de Touraine goat cheese and rillettes de Tours (shredded pork pâté) to fresh oysters, local wines by the glass, and seasonal produce. Several stalls have counter seating where you can eat on the spot: try the bar à huîtres (oyster bar) at Chez Gérard or the classic steak-frites at La Table des Halles. Open Tuesday to Sunday 7:00 to 14:30 (also Friday and Saturday evenings from 16:00 to 19:00 for apéro). Closed Monday.
Loire à Vélo Cycling Path
The Loire à Vélo is an 800-kilometer signposted cycling route that follows the Loire River from Cuffy to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, and the segment around Tours is among the best-maintained stretches. From the city center, you can cycle west for 17 km to the Château de Villandry (about 75 minutes on a rental bike) on a dedicated riverside path that avoids all car traffic. The route east toward Amboise and Chenonceau covers about 30 km on a mix of dedicated paths and quiet country roads. Bike rental shops cluster around the Gare de Tours and the tourist office; expect to pay EUR 15 to EUR 20 per day for a standard hybrid bike, EUR 35 to EUR 45 for an e-bike. Détours de Loire (35 Rue de la Fuye) is a reliable rental shop with well-maintained bikes and route advice.
Things to Do in Tours: Day Trips from Tours
Château de Villandry
Villandry is not the biggest or oldest Loire château, but its Renaissance gardens are unmatched anywhere in France. Laid out in the early 20th century by owner Joachim Carvallo, the six formal gardens recreate a 16th-century design with geometric boxwood parterres planted with seasonal flowers and vegetables. The ornamental garden, water garden, and sun garden each play with distinct color palettes and patterns, while the kitchen garden (potager) produces over 40 varieties of vegetables arranged by color. Allow 2 to 3 hours minimum; the gardens change dramatically with the seasons so repeat visits are rewarded. Entry EUR 13 (gardens only, EUR 8 for children). Located 17 km west of Tours; reachable by the Fil Bleu bus line 32 (30 minutes from Gare de Tours), the Loire à Vélo cycle path, or a 20-minute drive.
Château de Chenonceau
Chenonceau is the most-visited château in the Loire Valley after Versailles, and the only one built as a bridge spanning the Cher River. The five-arch gallery that crosses the water was built by Catherine de’ Medici in the 16th century and served as a hospital during World War I and an escape route during World War II (the Cher marked the boundary between occupied and free France). The interior retains period furnishings, tapestries, and an exceptional collection of Renaissance paintings. The formal gardens, maze, and working farm add a full day of exploration. Entry EUR 17 (adult), parking free. Located 34 km east of Tours (25 minutes by car via the D976, or 25 minutes by TER train from Gare de Tours to Chenonceaux station, then a 10-minute walk).
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
Built on an island in the Indre River, Azay-le-Rideau is the most photogenic of the smaller Loire châteaux, its reflection shimmering in the water like something from a fairy tale. Completed in 1527 under King Francis I, it blends French medieval defensive features (corner towers, machicolations) with Italian Renaissance decorative elements (symmetrical windows, ornate dormers). The interior is smaller and more intimate than Chenonceau or Chambord, with an impressive grand staircase and period rooms. Entry EUR 13. Located 26 km southwest of Tours (30 minutes by car via the D751, or reachable by bike on a 25 km route along the Indre River valley).
