Tours Budget Travel Guide is my personal description of this city in France for the benefit of budget travelers like myself. I created it to share useful travel information for visiting Tours. You can find here a list of all the places of interest in the city.
About Tours
Tours is a city in the wine-producing Centre region of France. With a city population of 142,000 people and a metropolitatn population of close to 310,000, it is the biggest city in the Centre region of France. It is however not the provincial capital - that honour goes to the city of Orléans.
During the Second World War, Tours served for a brief period of four day (10-13 June, 1940) as the seat of the French government before it was moved to Bordeaux - and just as well, for the Germans began heavy bombing of the city centre on 20-22 June, causing a fire that destroyed much of the inner city. Many important structures were lost in the blaze.
The post war history of Tours is marked by its charismatic mayor Jean Royer, whose conservation policies inspired a law in France for the safeguarding of historic city centres. Visitors to Tours will still be able to explore a restored city centre with its cathedral and other historic sights.
I recommend taking the TGV high-speed train from Paris. It costs €40 one way and takes about an hour to reach the city from the Paris Montparnasse railway station. If you are driving to Tours, take the A10 motorway from Paris and the A85 from Nantes.
Budget Travel within Tours
The inner core of Tours isn't a big area, so the best way to cover it is by walking.
Places of Interest in Tours
Cathédrale St-Gatien 13th century cathedral completed in the 16th century with a Gothic façe;ade.
Château de Chenonceau A beautiful palace created by a series of aristocratic women, located near Tours.
Château de Montpoupon 15th century castle just outside Tours.
Eglise St-Julien Church with Gothic monastic cells and chapterhouse containing a wine museum.
Musée des Beaux Arts Fine art museum housed in the former palace of the archbishop.
Musée du Compagnonnage Museum exhibiting works by master craftsmen of the guilds.
Place Plumereau The loveliest pedestrianized area in Tours, lined with cafés, boutiques and galleries.
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