Happy TravellerWelcome to Tours, one of the largest cities in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. This charming city is the prefecture of the department of Indre-et-Loire and sits on the lower reaches of the Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Tours is steeped in history and boasts a rich cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler. Let’s explore the many treasures of Tours.
Tours was founded by Roman Emperor Augustus and was named Caesarodunum. The city possesses one of the largest amphitheaters of the Roman Empire, the Tours Amphitheatre. Tours is also known for the Battle of Tours in 732 AD, a National Sanctuary with connections to the Merovingians and the Carolingians, and the Capetians making the kingdoms currency the Livre tournois. Saint Martin and Gregory of Tours were from Tours. Tours was once part of Touraine, a former province of France. Tours was the first city of the silk industry. It was wanted by Louis XI, royal capital under the Valois Kings with its Loire castles and city of art with the School of Tours.
The historic city of Tours is nicknamed Le Petit Paris and its region by its history and culture has always been a land of birth or host to many personalities, international sporting events, and is a university city with more than 30,000 students in 2019. Tours is a popular culinary city with specialties such as: rillettes, rillons, Touraine vineyards, AOC Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine cheeses and nougats. The city is also the end-point of the annual Paris–Tours cycle race.
Tours is a city of contrasts, with a historic center registered in the UNESCO, and is home to the Vieux-Tours, a patrimonial site. The garden city has a green heritage and an urban landscape strongly influenced by its natural space. The prefecture was partially destroyed during the French Wars of Religion in the late 16th century and again during the Second World War in June 1940. The White and Blue city keeps a historical center registered in the UNESCO, and is home to the Vieux-Tours, a patrimonial site. The garden city has a green heritage and an urban landscape strongly influenced by its natural space.
Tours is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or cuisine, Tours is sure to delight. So why not plan your next trip to Tours and discover all that this enchanting city has to offer?
