10 Best Things to Do and See in Tours
Exploring Tours on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Tours, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Tours. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Saint-Gatien Cathedral
Saint-Gatien Cathedral, in the heart of Tours, is an iconic monument of Gothic architecture that attracts both history lovers and admirers of beautiful buildings. As you discover it, you can admire its richly carved facade, its elegant soaring towers, and its stained-glass windows that filter colorful light into the interior. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a major place of worship, as well as the fine architectural details and the majesty of the nave. It is a must-see stop for understanding the city’s heritage.
2. Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of Tours is a pleasant place for a stroll, where visitors can discover a wide variety of plants, trees, and carefully landscaped flower beds. It features areas dedicated to botany, shaded spots ideal for relaxing, and, depending on the section, plant collections that invite you to explore the richness of the plant world. It is also a popular spot for a family break, a peaceful walk, or a moment of discovery through the seasons, right in the heart of Tours.
3. Old Tours
Old Tours is the historic district in the center of Tours, loved for its lively atmosphere and well-preserved heritage. Here you will find old streets lined with half-timbered houses, friendly squares, stone facades, and many cafes, restaurants, and small shops. It is a pleasant place to wander on foot, admire the traditional architecture, and enjoy the city’s lively atmosphere. The district is also a great starting point for exploring the historic heart of Tours and its main attractions.
4. Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé
The Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé is a pleasant public park in Tours, known for its wide lawns, shaded paths and peaceful atmosphere right in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy a beautifully landscaped garden with colorful flowerbeds, a variety of trees, a water feature and areas made for both strolling and relaxing. It is a favorite spot for families, joggers and travelers looking for a breath of fresh air, offering the perfect nature break during a visit to Tours.
5. Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours
The Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours is one of the city’s iconic landmarks, appreciated for both its religious significance and its architecture. As you discover it, you will admire a grand basilica dedicated to Saint Martin, with its impressive scale, remarkable façade and peaceful atmosphere. It appeals to visitors who want to understand Tours’ spiritual heritage and enjoy a place to visit in the heart of the city. Its presence is set in a historic district that is pleasant to explore on foot.
6. Museum of the Compagnonnage
Located in Tours, the Musée du Compagnonnage invites visitors to discover the world of the compagnons and traditional craft skills through a rich and varied collection. Visitors can see masterpieces, tools, professional objects, and creations that bear witness to the passing on of techniques, the demands of manual work, and the diversity of the trades involved. The visit offers a better understanding of the traditions of the compagnonnage movement, its organization, and its place in the history of trades in France, in a setting that is both educational and lively.
7. Museum of Fine Arts of Tours
Located in a former episcopal palace in the heart of Tours, the Museum of Fine Arts offers a rich and varied visit for art lovers and curious visitors alike. Inside, you can discover paintings, sculptures, drawings and decorative arts spanning several centuries, with European works from antiquity to the modern era. The route also highlights the history of the building and its elegant rooms, as well as a pleasant garden that completes the visit. It is an essential cultural stop for understanding the city’s artistic heritage.
8. Château de Tours Exhibition Centre
Located in Tours Castle, the Exhibition Centre offers a cultural venue where temporary exhibitions are presented, mainly dedicated to photography and the visual arts. The setting, both historic and contemporary, showcases the works in spaces designed for contemplation and visiting. People come here to discover a variety of artistic projects, regularly renewed, and to enjoy an iconic landmark in the heart of Tours city centre. It is an interesting stop for art lovers as well as visitors curious to discover a monument brought back to life through contemporary creation.
9. Honoré de Balzac Park
Honoré de Balzac Park, in Tours, is a large walking area appreciated for its natural landscapes and relaxing facilities. Visitors will find wide lawns, paths ideal for walking or cycling, as well as green spaces offering a peaceful break in the city. This park is a pleasant place to recharge outdoors, observe nature, and enjoy an open setting suited to family strolls, moments of rest, or leisure activities.
10. Natural History Museum of Tours
The Natural History Museum of Tours offers a visit focused on biodiversity, animal and plant species, and the scientific collections that support the study of the natural world. Visitors can see specimens displayed through a lens of classification and preservation, with both an educational and heritage perspective. Located in the heart of Tours, this museum provides a concrete introduction to the natural sciences and their place in local culture.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
