| Tours | ||
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Coat of arms  | ||
| State | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Center-Loire Valley | |
| Altitude | 44-109 m a.s.l. | |
| Inhabitants | 136.942 (2006) | |
| Prefix tel | 33 247 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 37000, 37100, 37200 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Tours is a city in the region French of the Center.
To know
For those who shy away from solitary places, Tours is an excellent base for a visit to the nearby Loire Castles, which often lie in seclusion. Tours has in fact a lively aspect thanks to the presence of numerous students who attend the courses of its University.
Background
The city lost many of its monuments following the bombings of World War II. Some have been saved that have earned her inclusion in the cities of art (Villes et pays d'art et d'histoire), a list drawn up by the French Ministry of Cultural Heritage which includes towns and villages with a valuable artistic heritage.
In 732 A.D. Tours was the scene of a historic battle in which Carlo Martello halted the advance of the Arab army in the heart of France. The city gave birth to Saint martin, whose tomb in the basilica dedicated to him was a pilgrimage destination throughout the Middle Ages.
How to orient yourself
The old town of Tours: full screen map.There old City of Tours is the most touristic part of the city. Pivots on Plumereau square where roads converge surrounded by medieval houses with a typical wooden structure which in French is called "a colombages".
Among the streets that converge on the Plumereau square it is worth mentioning the rue du Commerce, full of restaurants, especially in the easternmost section that takes the name of rue Colbert.
Given its proximity to the François-Rabelais University, the old town is very popular not only with tourists but also with students from Tours. In fact, there are many shops and places dedicated to them.
The streets between Plumereau square and the University come alive at night. On the squeeze Rue Briçonnet the students' favorite clubs overlook.
Like the neighboring districts of Chateauneuf and St Martin, the old town of Tours is a protected area and the construction of new structures is prohibited.
The modern centerinstead, it hinges on the Place Jean Jaurès, just south of the old city. It flows into the east side of the square boulevard Heurteloup overlooked by the railway station and from the north side, the Rue National, the most important street in Tours.
On the opposite bank of the Loire lies Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, a municipality in its own right.
How to get
By plane
Tours has its own airport whose official term is "Aéroport Tours Val de Loire" [1]. As of 2010 he operated there Ryanair with flights from London-Stansted, Marseille, Port, but none from Italian cities
On the train
Tours station is served by high-speed TGV trains (Great Vitesse) which start from the Gare de Montparnasse of Paris and take just an hour to cover the journey. Journey times are double if you take a normal train (SNCF). They make stops at various stations including Orleans is Blois
How to get around
What see
- Basilica of San Martino (Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours), 7 Rue Baleschoux, 37000 Tours.
Cathedral of San Gaziano of Tours (Cathédrale Saint-Gatien), Rue Lavoisier, 37000 Tours, France.- Fine Arts Museum (Musée des beaux-arts), 18 Place François Sicard, 37000 Tours.
- Town Hall (Hôtel de ville), Place Jean Jaurès.
- Hotel Goüin Museum (Musée de l'Hôtel Gouin), 25 Rue du Commerce - 37000 Tours, France.
- Amphitheater (Amphithéâtre de Tours).
- Marmoutier Abbey (abbaye de Marmoutier).
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Numerous eateries overlook the Rue Colbert, from ethnic restaurants from the Middle to the Far East (Turks, Iranians, Arabs, Japanese, etc.) to Italian ones. Competition is strong which keeps prices at an acceptable level. Outside of this area, prices tend to be expensive.
Moderate prices
- Le Lapin qui Fume, Rue Colbert, 90. If you like French cuisine you can try it. The restaurant offers a fixed menu at ridiculously low prices.
Average prices
- La Souris Gourmande, Rue Colbert, 100. More expensive than the neighboring Le Lapin qui Fume. It offers various fondues.
- [link not working]Rive Gauche, Rue du Commerce, 23. Well-known restaurant in the old town specializing in traditional French cuisine.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Auberges de Jeunesse, 5 Rue Bretonneau, 37000 Tours, France, ☎ 33 0247 37 81 58. It is part of the "Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse FUAJ. It is frequented by young people of all nationalities and, as in any hostel, they quickly make friends. The bathrooms are shared as well as the kitchen space. It has a shop that sells food that you can cook for yourself. Ideal for long stays.
Average prices
- Hôtel Central, 21, rue Berthelot, ☎ 33 0247 05 46 44. 3 star hotel. It is part of the Best Western chain.
- Hôtel du Manoir, 2 Rue Traversière 37000 Tours, France, ☎ 33 0247 05 37 37. In a 19th century house, the Hotel du Manoir overlooks a quiet street with the advantage of being close to the train station. The rooms are not large in size and some have a shower instead of a bathtub. The price is still attractive. Car parking is not free but costs 6 ¢ per day (2010).
