Cidade Turismo
France

Before you go

Your trip to Tours.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Tours – Centro-Vale do Loire Destination Vale do Loire

How to get there

  • Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) Roissy-en-France · 265 km
  • Aéroport de Tours-Val de Loire (TUF) Tours · 6 km
  • Gare de Tours 1 km
  • Gare de Saint-Pierre-des-Corps Saint-Pierre-des-Corps · 4 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The TGV departs from Paris-Montparnasse and takes about 1 hour to reach Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, the TGV station next to Tours; some trains go directly to Gare de Tours in the centre. There are short connection trains between the two stations. The most common route is to fly to Paris and continue by train.

How many days

One day is enough for the Vieux Tours, the cathedral and a nearby castle such as Villandry. With two days, add Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais, or the Forteresse de Chinon. Tours also works as a base for three or four days of castles, with train day trips to Amboise, Chenonceaux and Blois.

When to go

From April to October, with castles and gardens open. The gardens of Villandry are usually at their best from May to September. In the European summer, June to August, daylight lasts until around 22:00. In winter, December to February, it is cold and it gets dark around 17:00.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

In the city, no: the Vieux Tours is explored on foot and there is a tram (tramway). For the castles there are regional trains (TER) to Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais and Chinon. Villandry has no station; go by bike along the Loire à Vélo, by taxi or by seasonal bus. A car helps to combine two or three castles in one day.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Tours
  1. Morning
    Cathedral and Vieux Tours

    Start with the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien and its stained-glass windows. Next to it is the Psalette cloister. Then walk down the streets of the Vieux Tours heading west.

  2. Afternoon
    Château de Villandry

    Have lunch in the centre and head to Villandry, 15 km away, by car, taxi or by bike along the Loire à Vélo. Allow time for the terraced gardens, including the ornamental potager and the water garden.

  3. Late afternoon
    Basilique Saint-Martin

    Back in Tours, visit the Basilique Saint-Martin and go down to the crypt with the saint's tomb. Nearby are the two remaining towers of the former collegiate church: the Tour Charlemagne and the Tour de l'Horloge.

  4. Evening
    Place Plumereau

    Dine at the tables on Place Plumereau or in the surrounding streets. Touraine cuisine features rillettes, Sainte-Maure goat cheese and regional wines. Dinner service usually starts from 19:30.

2 days in Tours

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Historic center

    Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, Psalette cloister and a walk through the Vieux Tours to Place Plumereau, via rue Colbert and rue Briçonnet.

  2. Afternoon
    Villandry

    Head to the Château de Villandry and spend the afternoon in the gardens and the castle. Those who like cycling can go via the Loire à Vélo, which follows the river Cher in that section.

  3. Late afternoon
    Saint-Martin

    Return to Tours and visit the Basilique Saint-Martin and the towers of the former collegiate church, in the neighbourhood that grew up around the saint's cult.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the Vieux Tours

    Choose a restaurant on Place Plumereau or in the nearby streets. Many restaurants close the kitchen between lunch and dinner.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Azay-le-Rideau

    Take the regional train or drive to Azay-le-Rideau, about 25 km away. Visit the castle built over the waters of the river Indre.

  2. Afternoon
    Langeais or Chinon

    Have lunch in Azay and choose: the Château de Langeais, furnished with medieval pieces, or the Forteresse royale de Chinon, associated with Joan of Arc. Both have train stations.

  3. Late afternoon
    Loire riverside

    Back in Tours, walk along the banks of the Loire, near the Pont Wilson, the stone bridge that connects the centre to the northern bank.

  4. Evening
    Wine of the Touraine

    Try a Vouvray or a Chinon with dinner, in the Vieux Tours area or near the town hall (Hôtel de Ville).

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Which station should I use to reach Tours by TGV?

TGVs departing Paris-Montparnasse stop at Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, the TGV station next to Tours, and some continue to Gare de Tours in the centre. If your train only stops at Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, there are short connecting trains to Gare de Tours. Check your ticket to see which station is your arrival.

Is it worth using Tours as a base to visit the castles?

Yes, for those travelling by train. Regional trains depart from Gare de Tours to Amboise, Blois, Chenonceaux, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais and Chinon. The city offers a good range of restaurants and accommodation, and the historic centre is walkable.

What time do people eat dinner in Tours?

Lunch is usually served from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner from around 19:30. Many restaurants close the kitchen between services. In the late afternoon, cafés and bars on Place Plumereau serve drinks and snacks.

Can you get to Villandry without a car?

Yes. Villandry is about 15 km from Tours and has no train station. Options are cycling along the Loire à Vélo, which has a flat stretch to get there, taxi or seasonal buses and shuttles. Check schedules before you go.

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