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Europe France Tours Do & See Vieux Tours (Old Town)

Overview

Vieux Tours (Old Town)

The guide was updated: 2023-09-26

The half-timbered medieval houses line lanes date from Roman times. At its heart, relaxed Place Plumereau, the centre of Tours’ nightlife, is filled to the brim with café tables.

Useful Information

Address: Place Plumereau, Tours
More Info: Between pl. des Halles and rue Nationale

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Vieux Tours (Old Town)

Vieux Tours (Old Town)

The half-timbered medieval houses line lanes date from Roman times. At its heart, relaxed Place Plumereau, the centre of Tours’ nightlife, is filled to the brim with café tables.

Cathedral St Gatien

Cathedral St Gatien

The beautiful stained glass windows illuminate Cathedral St Gatien. This majestic building includes Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture, a real gem for everyone interested in architecture.

Cloister of la Psalette

Cloister of la Psalette

In these lovely Gothic-Renaissance cloisters, an elaborate open-sided staircase spirals up to elegant galleries. The round tower alongside was part of the city’s Roman wall.

Hôtel Goüin / Musée Archéologique

Hôtel Goüin / Musée Archéologique

Hôtel Goüin / Musée Archéologique is home of a 15th-century silk merchant and a masterpiece of ornate, lavish Renaissance decoration inside and out. This is Tours’ main historical museum.

Musée du Compagnonnage

Musée du Compagnonnage

This unique museum deals with the history of craft guilds that represented rope makers, wood turners, clog makers and similar occupations. The museum was created in honour of fine workmanship. Right next to the museum you can find another museum about wine.

Riverside walks

Riverside walks

If you want to go out for a relaxing walk, the Loire is a great place to head for. You will find walkways alongside the river, perfect for pleasant and quiet walks beside the water.

Musée des Beaux Arts

Musée des Beaux Arts

At Musée des Beaux Arts you can find works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Degas and Delacroix, all gathered here in the old Archbishops’ Palace. In the courtyard there is a 200-year-old tree and a 100-year-old stuffed circus elephant.

Jardin Botanique de Tours

Jardin Botanique de Tours

Except for the greenhouses and lush greenery in the summer months, this Botanical Garden also houses a mini-zoo (which will surely delight the little ones), as well as many picnic-perfect areas.

Place Plumereau

Place Plumereau

Place Plumereau is a bustling Tours city square that comes alive in the evenings, when students flock to it and restaurants start getting filled with people. Dining options abound in and around the area.

Hotel de Ville

Hotel de Ville

Not at all a hotel, but rather Tours' City Hall, this imposing edifice is a must-see architectural landmark. Lit up by night, the building and the fountain complex next to it make for a somewhat magical sight.

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