15 essentials: what to see and do in Tours (Loire Valley) in 1 day

There are two reasons why Spanish tourists go to the French city of Tours, and to the point that in recent years Spain has become the first country of origin for tourists who visit it.

Firstly, Tours is a stage of route through the Loire Valley to see their famous castles, and there are many visitors who stay in the city when using it as a base on this trip.

But, on the other hand, Tours Many visitors arrive as pilgrims interested in the figure of Saint Martin of Tours and to see his grave.

In any case, Tours It is a city that is marked on the axis of the route from Spain to Paris, and which can be reached from the French capital in just one hour by car. TGV high speed train, so it is very accessible to be visited.

The current configuration of Tours shows three well differentiated areas that are due to its origin and its historical evolution, which extend on the southern shore of the Loire river that crosses the city.

Curiosities of the history of Tours (Loire Valley)

The city of Tours goes back to the Gallo-Roman era, in which there was a small open town, without walls.

Before the arrival of the Barbarians, it was necessary to wall the city, which was done in the 4th century, and it is the area whose central axis is the Gothic cathedral.

Who was Saint Martin of Tours

At that time, whoever was later appeared San Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who had a appearance de Christ, and from then on he dedicated himself to evangelizing the peasants, becoming named Bishop of Tours 370 the year.

He was buried in a cemetery that was some distance from the small walled city, and from there another small city began to develop, which is where the current historic center is located.

Over time the population occupied the space between both cities, until finally in the 14th century a large wall was built that already enclosed the two small cities to protect the entire population during the time of the Hundred Years' War.

Another fact to highlight is that the city of Tours is located on the axis of the French Camino de Santiago.

This corresponds to the old national highway 10 that went from Paris to Spain, which in the XNUMXth century gave way to the National street which currently crosses the city from north to south, separating the two historical areas.

These are now known as the Cathedral Quarter: Old City, as well as the San Martin neighborhood, because there is the saint's tomb.

Finally, after the arrival in 1845 of the railway to Tours, as an extension of the first line that in France linked Paris with Orleans, a new neighborhood was extended where you will now see buildings of classical French architecture, highlighting that of the Town hall.

The best things to see and do in Tours on a day of tourism

For your trip you have the possibility of signing up for some of the guided tours which offers the Tourist Office, and in line with the tour I took during my recent visit to this city of the Loire Valley, I am going to indicate the main ones places of interest in Tours What you should know when visiting one day.

The starting point can be one's own Tourist Office, which is located in front of the railway station where you can possibly arrive by TGV, which was built to mark the arrival of the train to the city, and where you can collect information about the city.

This office is next to the building of the Congress Center which in 1993 was built by the architect Jean Nouvel.

From this place you should go directly to the St. Gatien's Cathedral, a Gothic building built between the 13th and 16th centuries.

Museum of Fine Arts in Tours

It is located next to the building of the Archbishop's Palace, one of whose towers preserves at its base vestiges of the original Gallo-Roman wall from the 4th century.

Now the building is the headquarters of the Museum of Fine Arts, which preserves the best collection in France of Italian primitives.

I can tell you that the impressive Lebanon cedar Planted in 1804, it takes center stage in the garden area of ​​said palace.

Also noteworthy is a sculpture dedicated to Balzac, the other great important character of the city of Tours, who was born in a house of the aforementioned National street, which was destroyed during the Second World War.

Tours Cathedral

The facade of the Tours cathedral It is located on the west side of the place where the old wall was and in front of a small park.

What will catch your attention the most about this imposing façade is to see that the tympanums of the cathedral doors are openwork, so that light enters through the stained glass windows.

Along these lines, the rose window has an irregular shape to also allow more light to enter the interior of the cathedral.

You will also see that the niches on the façade do not preserve any statues, as they were destroyed by the Protestants in the war against the Catholics in 1562.

As soon as you enter the cathedral interior, you will have the sensation of great height in the central nave, but in reality it is an optical effect; In fact, its height is 29 meters.

You should know that 70 percent of cathedral stained glass They are original, although in this regard the stained glass windows with a modern design in the presbytery area will surely catch your attention.

This area was renovated at the end of the 90s, and you will easily recognize it by the different color of the stone and by the aforementioned stained glass windows that were designed very recently, in 2013, one of them showing the figure of the Pope Benedict XVI.

Colbert Street, former Main Street of Tours

From the cathedral you can go to the old main Street, which historically united the areas of the current neighborhoods of the Cathedral and San Martín.

Until crossing the National street now it's called colbert street, and you will see that it is a narrow narrow street that has become a restaurant area frequented by locals and tourists.

During your walk you will come across some nice set of houses with half-timbered facades, like the one that reminds you with a plaque that the French heroine and saint Joan of Arc received in Tours his armor.

Furthermore, many of the houses that have stone facades actually maintain their original wooden structure, and were covered with the aforementioned stone in the 18th and 19th centuries to prevent fires.

Church of Saint Julian in Tours

At the junction with the National street you find the church of san julián with its 12th century façade romantic style.

It will catch your attention that the church floor is at a ground level clearly lower than the National street, since it dates back to the 12th century when it was built, while said street was designed centuries later, in the 18th century.

Guild Museum in Tours

The building attached to the church is the former dormitory of the monks who resided in the monastery in the Middle Ages, and now houses the Guild Museum where you can see amazing craft works.

It shows a large collection of artisan works made with the most diverse materials, and it is the only museum in France where you can see this type of collection.

Commerce Street in Tours

Once you cross the aforementioned National street, the old one main Street continues now through the so-called Commerce Street, a place where merchants gathered in the Middle Ages to attend to the pilgrims who came to see the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours.

Tours Contemporary Creation Center

At that point is the building of the new headquarters of the Contemporary Creation Center, now also known as Olivier Debre Center.

It is not a museum but a temporary exhibition center which was founded in 1984 at its initial headquarters, and where more than 300 contemporary artists have already passed through.

It has three enormous rooms ideal for making large installations, and it is worth noting that the main one currently shows six enormous paintings donated by the French artist. Olivier Debre.

Now deceased, he was the one who best knew how to reflect the sensations caused by Loire river, and currently gives its name to the new contemporary art center.

Manor house Hotel Gouin in Tours

As you advance towards the heart of the San Martin neighborhood, you will pass by the 15th century palatial house known as Hotel Gouin, a building to which in the 16th century its beautiful Renaissance style facade.

The original building was destroyed during the 1940 fire caused by the German attack on the city of Tours, but this façade could be preserved as it was added to the front.

At present, the Hotel Gouin is used for temporary events and exhibitions.

Plumareau or Market Square in Tours; terraces and bars

You will soon arrive at the aforementioned heart of this historic neighborhood that will surprise you with its Great atmosphere during the day and night terraces of bars and restaurants.

In this regard you should know that Tours is a standout University City after the installation in 1970 of three schools very close to this neighborhood.

For this reason, it is currently also known as the Student Quarter.

In the Plumareau Square you find one of the Tours icon images, that of a nice set of houses with half-timbered facades which in the 15th and 16th centuries were occupied by merchants and artisans.

This entire area was rehabilitated by the Tours Town Hall since 1973, and currently it is a place that is always very popular with students and tourists who enjoy the terraces that cover the entire pedestrian area.

Of note in the square is the one known as house of the Holy Family, from the 15th century, with the entire façade covered in slate, and in which the original sculptures are preserved.

Charlemagne and Clock Towers in Tours

Very close is when you find the place that gives its name to this historic neighborhood, and a meeting point for pilgrims who travel to the city ​​of Tours, Basilica of Saint Martin.

The original basilica was larger than the cathedral as it had up to five naves, but during the French Revolution It was destroyed and later a street was opened in the middle of the space occupied by the central nave.

Of this building only the Charlemagne Tower, which you can climb, as well as the remains of the Clock Tower.

As a curiosity, in 1996 the Pope Juan Pablo II stayed three days in Tours to pray to San Martin, and then the visit was used to fix the street,

In this way you will now see that it is paved and with the paving stones the places where the columns of the church were located,

Next to the Charlemagne Tower You have a panel that describes what the church floor was like and shows you drawings of the original building and how the street looked like after the French Revolution.

Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours

The current Basilica of Saint Martin dates back to 186o when the tomb of Saint Martin, which led to the construction of a new architectural style church neo-byzantine similar to that of Sacred Heart of Paris.

The architect was Victor Laloux, the same one that built the Orsay railway stations in Paris and Tours.

Les Halles Market in Tours

When visiting cities I always like to visit the markets, as it gives you a reference of what daily life is like there.

And in the case of Tours its worth visiting Les Halles market Built in 1970 in this neighborhood.

In it you will see establishments all very well cared for, type good gourmet food with high quality products.

To highlight the establishment of cheeses Rodolfo le Meunier, Considered the best workshop in France for his work as tuner of cheeses, specialist in the production of cheeses from the region, which are all goat.

Leisure sites in Tours: La Guinguette on the banks of the Loire

While bar and terrace atmosphere You have it assured in the aforementioned Plumareau Square, riding a Tours There is no lack of tradition of leisure places known as taverns which are located on the banks of the Loire river.

Have a beer or a soft drink at La Guinguette de Tours on the Loire and listening to live music, is the best way to close your day of tourism in this French city.

You can't miss it, you find it next to the bridge that crosses the Loire prolonging the National street.

Where to sleep in Tours: Art Hotel

And to complete our proposals for your trip to the city of Tours, I'm going to make you a very special suggestion.

On the outskirts of the city, on the banks of the Loire river en Rochecorbon, you find the Art Hotel, an establishment located in a chateau of 1888, which in the past was from a reception center for political refugees to a residence for the third age.

Just a few years ago this classic chateau, whose external staircase is considered monumental heritage, is a hotel with a very modern design that combines black and white colors in all its elements and spaces.

With 17 rooms, it is currently very frequented by American and Japanese tourists, and as an element of its distinction, I will tell you that it is one of the charging points for electric cars. Tesla.

Map: how to get to Tours

Tours It is located 220 kilometers south of Paris, from where you arrive by car in just over two hours, and in TGV high speed train, In an hour.