Tours Old Town

The old city center of Tours, called Old Town (Vieux Tours), is one of medieval-era winding streets, quaint shops, a bustling square (Place Pumereau) with cafes and restaurants and half-timbered homes that date back to the 14th century. With so much to see here, it's a wonder that the city had at one point slated to tear it all down in favor of a grid street system!
Don't miss the St Gatien Cathedral, the weekly market in Place Jean Jaurès or the garden of the Musée des Beaux-Arts. This is where a cedar tree planted by Napoleon Bonaparte sits, as well as a bizarre stuffed elephant from the 1903 circus that came through town.

Practical Info

Tours is a popular base for explorers of the Loire Valley. It is about three hours from Paris by car; it takes an hour and 15 minutes by direct TGV train. The city has an extensive public transportation system, but Old Town is pedestrianized, so no cars or trams allowed.