Panorama Tour (city). Virtual tour Tour (city). Attractions, map, photos, videos. City of Tours: attractions, hotels, restaurants Tours to the castles of the region
: in the vicinity of the city there are the most famous French castles: and.
The city is located in the lower part, between and the Atlantic coast of France. The surrounding area is a historic province famous for its wines, the purported excellence of spoken French and the Battle of Tours, which took place here in 732. The Tour is also the end point of the annual Paris-Tours cycling race.
Tours weather:
Guide to Tours:
Getting to Tour:
City Tours is a major transport hub, the starting point for traveling around.
The airport is located 4 km from the city: Tours Val de Loire airport (RyanAir flights from London).
The bus station (gare routière) and railway station (gare SNCF) are located 500 m south of the city center.
From Paris to Tours:
- 1 hour by train T.G.V. from the station, ticket 15 - 65 €
- 3 hours by bus from PARIS BERCY, ticket 15€,
- : transport schedule, cost
City map:
Route around the city:
Tourist route around the city Tours will take you to the main ones:
Tour attractions:
The main architectural style is Gothic Saint-Gatien Cathedral ( Cathédrale Saint-Gatien) , built from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
In the center of Tours there is a small historical center with medieval half-timbered houses.
Preserved Bishop's Palace 9th century, built on part of the walls of Gallo-Roman fortifications. Here is now located museum of fine arts, the pearl of whose collection is the frescoes of Mantegna, exported by Napoleon from Italy. During the time of the Emperor, a Lebanese cedar was planted here, which over time turned into a huge tree.
Worth a look too Abbey of Saint-Julien with the church of the same name.
The oldest and most famous church in the city is basilica of st. Martina(built in 471, burned by the Normans in 853, finally destroyed by French revolutionaries in the 18th century, partially restored in the 20th century); the relics of the saint rest in it.
In the vicinity of Tours:
Attractions around Tours:
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Rich in history and a wonderful collection of landmarks. The city is also considered one of the greenest cities in France thanks to several wonderful parks.
History of the Tour
A permanent settlement on the site of modern Tours has existed since time immemorial. The Romans, who captured the Gallic village, gradually developed it and built a large amphitheater, the ruins of which have survived to this day.
In the vicinity of Tours in 732, a fateful battle for the whole of Europe took place, preventing the Islamic conquest of France. Soon, however, the city became a victim of aggression from the north - it was plundered by persistent and always greedy Vikings. This trouble, common in the Middle Ages, did not hinder the development of Tours; gradually it became one of the centers of the kingdom. In the mid-16th century, Tours briefly became a royal residence, after which it fell into disrepair.
The city came to life again when the railway passed through it in the mid-19th century. Located at the strategic crossing of the Loire, it became an important transport hub, and commerce and industry received a new lease of life.
The battles of the First World War bypassed Tours, but the city worked as a rear base - the Americans who arrived to help the allies settled here. A stone bridge across the Loire was named after US President Woodrow Wilson.
During World War II, Tours became a temporary refuge for the French government, which left Paris. This quickly attracted the attention of the Germans - soon the city was attacked with incendiary bombs and suffered greatly.
Sights of Tours
In the post-war years, Tours underwent major reconstruction and improvement, becoming an attractive destination for tourists.
The main attraction of the city is the magnificent cathedral. Its construction took almost 5 centuries (1170 - 1547). The result, however, was worth it - Tours Cathedral is an outstanding architectural monument in which many styles merged - Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance elements. The height of the building, together with the towers, reaches 97 meters. The cathedral looks especially beautiful at night, thanks to the lighting system. Inside, an ancient organ and tombs of the royal family have been preserved.
In the center of the city lies the beautiful Place Jean-Jaurès, decorated with fountains and iron plantings. Here is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city - the strange city hall building, built back in the 18th century. The building not only looks great, but continues to serve its original purpose.
One of the symbols of Tours is the arched bridge across the river (after the First World War - the Wilson Bridge). The bridge was originally built in 1778, after which over the years it has experienced a series of tragic incidents, explosions, collapses (most recently in 1978) and reconstructions. However, its basic outlines have always remained unchanged. From the bridge there is a good view of the river and the city.
A special pride of Tour is the city botanical garden. It was created in the mid-19th century and today is home to more than 2,000 different plants from all over the world (the mild climate of Tours allows them to feel comfortable). The territory is divided into several thematic zones.
Where is: Loire Valley.
How to get there:
- by train: from Paris from Austerlitz train station, trains run 5 times a day, travel time is 2 hours 30 minutes, ticket price is 31 euros.
Website
What to look at: Tours is the capital of Touraine, the center of wine production and a convenient starting point for visiting the surrounding castles and wine cellars. It stands at the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers, occupying the territory of a long peninsula, since the streams run almost parallel to each other here. Balzac compared Tours to Venice. The region is also called the "Garden of France".
Tourist office
Where is it: rue Bernard Palissy, 78.
Website
Story
The name of the city comes from the Gallic tribe of Turons, whose villages were called Turonensis were on the northern (right) bank of the Loire. After the conquest of Gaul, the Romans built their city on the southern coast Caesarodunum. Its advantageous position, fertile lands and some economic privileges made it one of the richest cities during the reign of Rome. Until the 1st century. BC. Some ruins have been preserved in the neighborhoods near the cathedral: part of the city fortifications on rue du Petit Cupidon, the remains of a bath in a private house, a Gallo-Romanesque tower in the courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts.
In the 4th century. St. Martin was active in missionary work in Caesarodunum, which became one of the centers for the spread of Christianity in the Loire. Until now, the Tour is often called " the city of St. Martina". Religion determined the development path of Tours during the Carolingian times, but at the same time it gradually turned into a city of artisans, artists, scientists. Here in the 8th century, in the Abbey of St. Martin, a kind of academy was created, a workshop of copyists operated, where handwritten books were made Gradually, even a special style of writing letters arose. The ancient manuscripts are still kept in the city library. Next to the copyists, miniaturists worked, who designed several luxurious Bibles (for example, the Bible of Charles the Bald).
The French spoken in Tours is considered to be the purest.
It is interesting that until the 12th century. it was as if they existed here two separate cities: ancient Caesarodunum and medieval Tours. The first, located in the eastern part of the modern city, retained the layout characteristic of Roman settlements. From it, the ruins of fortifications, fragments of the amphitheater, baths and forum covered with earth have survived to this day. Although, of course, there are fewer ancient monuments here than in Nîmes or Arles, still for the Loire Valley their number significantly distinguishes Tours from other cities. Many antiquities are kept in the archaeological museum. The medieval city, located to the north of the ancient one, completely absorbed it only in the 13th century.
Philip II Augustus finally annexed Touraine to the royal domain. Since many of the city's buildings had perished by that time, it became necessary to rebuild. The future of Tours turned out to be connected with various crafts that began to develop rapidly in the 15th-16th centuries. In 1461, Louis IX, who patronized artisans, moved the capital of France here. They say he loved to dress up as a commoner and walk the streets of the city.
Louis XI founded silk production in the city, which blossomed incredibly in subsequent centuries - Royal Fairs were held in Tours twice a year. Even after the transfer of the court to Amboise, the wealth of the city increased under Charles VIII, during the 16th century. Numerous monuments in the Renaissance style are erected here.
The Italian traveler Florio left at the end of the 15th century. description of the city, never tired of praising its riches and calling "Tur" one of the best cities"By the end of the 16th century, there were 80,000 inhabitants in Tours - a lot for those times. Moreover, it can be noted that in subsequent centuries the number of inhabitants decreased sharply (to 20,000 by the beginning of the 19th century)." Well-fed city"was famous in subsequent centuries. His white wines of Vouvray and Montlouis, cheeses, and plums were famous throughout France.
In the 18th century Significant work was carried out to rebuild the city, a new axis was laid perpendicular to the Loire. During this period a new bridge was built, called Stone(Pont de Pierre, today called Pont Wilson), laid Royal street(rue Royale), later renamed National Street (rue Nationale).
During the wars of 1870-1871, 1914-1918, 1940-1944. the city was often subjected to destruction, which caused damage to many historical and artistic monuments. However, the extensive restoration carried out in the city since the 1960s has made it one of the most well-kept cities in the Loire Valley.
Around town
To the west of the station square (pl. General Leclerc) there is pl. Jean Jaures, where it stands city hall(1905), Palace of Justice(1840) and large Grande Passage shopping center(entrance from rue Bordeaux).
If you cross pl. General Leclerc and bd Heurteloup, you can go to city garden(Jardin de la Prefecture), tourist office and Eurolines ticket offices, from which rue Bernard Palissy runs north. We follow it to pl. Francois Sicard, from where you can enter through the portal courtyard of the former bishopric. The bishop's palace was built in the 9th century, and parts of the walls of Gallo-Roman fortifications were included in the design. The current building dates from the 17th-18th centuries. The palace houses the Museum of Fine Arts.
Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux-Arts).
Where is: pl. Francois Sicard, 18.
How does it work: 9.00-12.45 and 14.00-18.00, day off - Tuesday.
What to look at: the museum was created on the basis of a private collection acquired with city funds and donations from wealthy citizens; it houses paintings by artists of the 14th-20th centuries. The museum is well organized. The gallery of Italian primitives has its own value; the paintings by Mantegna “Prayer of the Cup” and “Resurrection”, intended at one time for the altar of San Zeno in Verona, stand out. They were performed in 1457-1459. in Padua. During Napoleon's time they were brought to France, and they remained in Tours. As in other works of the artist, the landscape here is carefully designed, mountainous, with individual thin tree trunks. Gothic sharpness of vision is combined with epic scope and plasticity in form.
In "Prayer of the Cup" one is attracted by the wonderful city on the rock; Judas leads the guards along the winding road; Christ on his knees, turning to God the Father, asks to change his fate. The whole scene is deeply dramatic.
In the "Resurrection" the figure of Christ in two divine radiances, in the "halo" and "gloria", rises from a marble sarcophagus against the backdrop of a cave. His figure is supported by angels; the amazed guards froze in silent fear...
Rembrandt's small painting "The Flight into Egypt" is noteworthy - one of the master's first paintings (created in 1625). In the ray of the moon, sad figures move in the dense forest, in frozen amber silence. Only Mary's blue cloak enlivens the palette.
In the halls of the museum you can also see paintings by Van Goyen, Terborch, Rubens (“Mars crowned by Venus”), Magnasco. The French school is represented by several Caravaggists, including Valentin, as well as such names as Rigaud, Largilliere, Boucher, Nattier, Fragonard, Delacroix, Chasserio, Degas. A proud, strong-willed face is captured in Perroneau’s supposed self-portrait. It is characteristic that Degas is represented by a copy of Mantegna’s “crucifixion”. It seems remarkable that the French artist is represented by a copy of a painting by the same master whose works are in the museum. Drawings by David and Ingres, paintings by Denis and Vuillard increase the value of the exhibition of the Tours museum.
In the Hall of Romanticism, a sketch for a portrait of Balzac written by Hugo's friend, the artist Louis Boulanger, will attract attention. The portrait itself, sent to Ganskaya in Russia, disappeared. Balzac is depicted in his famous robe, reminiscent of a Dominican cassock; his arms are crossed, his face expresses inspiration. The portrait sketch is made with a wide brush.
Under Napoleon, they planted Lebanese cedar, which has now turned into a huge tree.
Behind it is a French garden. Pay attention to the smoothly curved wall that borders it on the east - this is nothing more than part of a Roman amphitheater.
A stuffed elephant is displayed in one of the garden windows. In the 19th century, he was led through the streets, this elephant was everyone’s favorite, he lived to a ripe old age, and after his death he became another attraction of Tours.
Adjacent to the garden from the north is pl. de la Cathedrale, on which stands the Cathedral of Saint Gatien.
Cathedral of Saint-Gatien
How does it work: daily 9.00-19.00, on church holidays - until 21.00.
What to look at: The cathedral was built over several centuries. It was preceded by at least three temples, the first one arose in the 4th century. But the existing building is capable of illustrating almost the entire history of Gothic art. The building was built according to the plan of Etienne de Montaigne, and was erected over three centuries by the architects Simon du Man, Jean de Dammartin, Jean Papin and Jean Durand. Most of all, the temple resembles the cathedrals of Paris and Beauvais. The plan of the cathedral is a Latin cross 97 m long. The oldest part is the choir. The nave, rising to a height of 26 m, has pillars supporting the vaults, decorated with four semi-columns, which emphasize the overall verticality of the lines.
In three of the eleven choir chapels, the windows have been preserved stained glass. It dates back to the second half of the 13th century. Their composition is composed, as in Saint-Chapelle in Paris, of individual medallions. Each medallion shows a different scene with three to four characters. These glass panels, with rich blue and red colors, were admired by Viollet le Duc, speaking of " revolutions in art", "expression", "the pinnacle of glass painting".
The western facade and two towers 70 m high were erected later (in the 16th century). The nave dates back to the 15th century, the transept to the 14th century, and the choir to the 13th century. Thus, upon entering the cathedral, the visitor seems to be moving into the depths of centuries.
One of the chapels contains Renaissance tombstones of the sons of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany, performed at the beginning of the 16th century, possibly by Michel Colombe’s student, his nephew Guillaume Ranier. Marble figures of children recline on a richly decorated sarcophagus. There are angels at their heads and at their feet; angels placed at the feet hold shields with coats of arms. The faces are interpreted in a sharp portrait manner; and the Gothic heritage is felt in the character of the figures. The sarcophagus was made by the Italian master da Fiesole. The work is distinguished by decorative sophistication; naked cupids are presented, the story of Hercules and Samson (what a combination!).
Two high cathedral façade towers decorated with a pattern of carved details in the taste of the late “flaming Gothic”. They are crowned with “crowns” made in the Renaissance style with an incredible abundance of decorative motifs.
Powerful buttresses and flying buttresses support the walls and the weight of the vaults - their design is best visible from the eastern facade of the cathedral and from the courtyard, which was built in the 15th-16th centuries. in the late Gothic style. The sculptural gutters in the form of fantastic animals are interesting. This courtyard was described by Balzac in “The Priest of Tours”.
North of Saint-Gatien there is a remnant of the old abbey patio psallet XV-XVI centuries (Cloitre de la Psallette). Opening hours: 8.30-12.30 and 14.00-17.00, Sun. 14.00-17.00. The tiny 1520 archive room and library are reached via a spiral staircase of Gothic design, but with Renaissance decorative details.
From Cathedral Square to the north goes rue Lavoisier, which leads to Castle Tour with the Tower of Guise (XII century), topped with a dome in the XV century. Here the Duke of Guise was imprisoned in 1588-1591.
Castle Tours
Where is: quai d'Orleans, 25.
How does it work: Monday to Saturday 9.30-12.00 and 14.00-18.00; in July and August 9.30-19.00, from April to mid-October on Sunday 14.00-18.00, the rest of the year 13.00-18.00.
What to look at: These are the remains of a royal palace built in 1160 by Henry II Plantagenet. The castle houses a Tropical Aquarium and a Wax Museum, as well as temporary exhibitions.
From the castle to the west goes rue Colbert. Following it, we pass pl. Foire-le-Roi, which is surrounded by houses with high roofs. One of them - Babou de la Bourdesiere's mansion, an example of the French Renaissance (1520). The arcades of the Augustinian monastery of Tours (1359) are preserved in the courtyard.
At the crossroads of rue Colbert and rue Nationale there is (Eglise St-Julien), built from 1243 to 1259. At the church there is a Romanesque passage bell tower-portico of the 12th century.
To the north of the church begins the territory of the ancient Abbey of Saint-Julien(Abbay St. Julien). In the bell tower, preserved from the previous Romanesque basilica, there are frescoes, although poorly preserved, but, according to experts, unusual in their iconography. In the park, south of the temple, there is a small fountain, all richly ornamented. In the center of the octagonal bowl rises a marble pyramid, from which thin streams flow. The fountain represents an interesting example of the Touraine Renaissance. It was created in 1511 by highly qualified masons Martin and Bastien Francois from the Colombe school.
Touraine Wine Museum)
Where is: rue Nationale, 16.
How does it work: from Wednesday to Monday 9.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00.
What to look at: Huge cellars from the 12th century have been preserved from the Abbey of Saint-Julien. with pointed vaults, which were turned into wine cellars. There is a tasting room at the museum.
A little to the north there is a building from the late 12th century. with a meeting room on the ground floor. It was here that Henry III assembled the Parisian Parliament in March 1589. On the second floor there is the Guild Museum.
Museum of Guilds (Musee du Compagnonnage)
Where is: rue Nationale, 8.
How does it work: from Wednesday to Monday 9.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00, from mid-June to mid-September 9.00-12.00 and 12.30-18.00. What to look at: This unique museum, founded in 1910 and located in the courtyard of the Abbey of Saint-Julien, exhibits products of French artisans - stone sculpture, horseshoes, furniture, shoes. In addition, here you can buy products from modern craft workshops, produced in accordance with centuries-old traditions. Pay attention to the ceiling in one of the museum halls.
Rue Colbert, after crossing rue Nationale, turns into rue du Commerce, following which further to the west, we come to the archaeological site Museum Hotel-Gouin.
Museum Hotel Gouin
Where is: rue du Commerce, 25.
How does it work: 10.00-12.30 and 14.00-18.30.
What to look at: The archaeological museum is housed in the Gouin mansion, built in 1510 for a wealthy merchant. The beautiful facade of the building is made in Italian style.
Rue du Commerce leads to pl. Plumereau - in the center of medieval Tours. Tiny square, surrounded by an ensemble of half-timbered houses from the 15th century. The medieval quarter has been well restored. Walking through the labyrinth of narrow streets will be an undeniable pleasure.
South of pl. Plumereau preserved half-timbered house Tours-Charlemagne(Tour Charlemagne). Even further north, on the corner of rue des Halles and rue Desckartes, stands Church of Notre-Dame-la-Riche, heavily destroyed by Protestants. In it you can see surviving stained glass windows from the 16th century. Fragments from a large fresco ensemble created by Jacques Fouquet, who worked in Tours, after the artist’s trip to Italy in 1445, were found on the walls. They are written in a Renaissance style. Above the crypt where St. Martin, at the end of the 19th century. A new basilica was erected in the eclectic Romano-Byzantine style. Martin died in 397 and when the saint’s ashes were transferred to Tours, initially a wooden church was erected over his burial, then, successively, new churches were erected. One of them, from the Romanesque period, according to the famous medieval expert Hans Sedlmayr, was especially magnificent, had powerful, majestic forms.
Basilica St-Martin.
How does it work: 8.00-19.00, sometimes closed in winter from 12.00 to 14.00.
What to look at: in one of the crypts of the temple the relics of St. Martin - a Roman army soldier who converted to Christianity after meeting a beggar in Amiens. In November, a reliquary containing a fragment of the saint's skull is displayed above the top of the altar.
Tourists rarely wander into the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department - the ancient and beautiful city of Tours. And completely in vain.
The only association that can arise in memory is “Aglaya Michon, a seamstress from Tours,” Aramis’ deeply secretive friend. Connoisseurs of history and literature will perhaps remember the great scoffer Francois Rabelais, who was born on this fertile land. But this city twice served as the capital of France. If Henry IV had not wished to return it to Paris, today we would see the Eiffel Tower not on the Champs de Mars, but on the Rue Nationale in Tours.
The history of Tour goes back to ancient times. More than two thousand years ago, a trading post of the Turonian tribe stood in its place. The Romans who conquered Gaul built a city on the site of the post and called it Caesarodunum. Convenience and strategic location quickly brought wealth to the city. In the 4th century AD, Martin of Tours became bishop of Caesarodunum, later proclaimed a saint. By the way, he is one of the few saints revered equally by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. His grave in the Cathedral of Saint-Martin will remain an object of pilgrimage for Christians around the world today.
Under the walls of the city, Charles Martel stopped the Arab expansion into Europe in 732. The Moors rolled back beyond the Pyrenees, and Tours also became the political center of the country. King Louis IX, who did not trust the Parisians, moved here along with his court and government, and Henry III moved the parliament. Just a little more - and France would have a new capital. But it didn’t work out. However, during its short tenure as a royal residence, the city was decorated with many beautiful buildings and acquired a certain metropolitan charm.
Today's Tours is one of the most elegant cities in France. The historical center is a triangle at the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers. Although it was bombed during both world wars, everything was restored in the 60s of the last century. Quite a lot of Roman buildings have been preserved - fragments of fortifications, baths, a forum, and a theater. Caesarodunum gradually grew into medieval Tours, so that many houses are built on the foundations of Roman buildings. For example, the House of Tours-Charlemagne, which served as the residence of a bishop since the 9th century, is a classic half-timbered building that uses the walls of Roman fortifications. Today this house houses the Museum of Fine Arts. The Abbey of Saint-Julien also has Roman walls.
The old quarters of Tours are home to many unusual museums. For example, the Crafts Museum and the Stained Glass Museum. The city of Tours, France, has always been famous for its craftsmen. It is not for nothing that the Saint-Gatien Cathedral is considered a model of taste and style. Although experts may blame the builders for being too eclectic - the building is of Gothic architecture, and the towers are already from the Renaissance, but construction lasted three centuries, from the 13th to the 16th. During this time, tastes have changed somewhat. However, the cathedral is beautiful, especially its famous stained glass windows.
Surprisingly, there are practically no tourists in Tours. As a result, prices in hotels and restaurants are an order of magnitude lower than in Paris, the food is incredibly tasty, and the people are friendly. Residents of the city are proud of their Gallic origins; they consider the Irish and Scots to be their closest fellow tribesmen (every second bar in the city is decorated with a checkered or green sign).
The best way to get to Tours from Paris by train is from Paris Austerlitz Station. The ticket costs 32 Euros, travel time is 2.5 hours. The easiest way to get here by car is on the A10 motorway through Orleans.
Tours (French Tours, Latin Turones, Caesarodunum Turonum, Augusta Turonum) is a city in France on the Loire River, at its confluence with the Cher River. Administrative center of the Indre-et-Loire department. Population 142,000 (city) and 297,630 (suburbs) people (2006). Wine center of the Loire Valley. The main city of the historical region of Touraine. Large transport hub - railway station, airport. Electrical and agricultural engineering. Car repair, chemical, pharmaceutical, printing, clothing, furniture industries. University. The French spoken in Tours is considered the purest. Honore de Balzac was born in Tours on May 20, 1799.
The name of the city comes from the Gallic tribe of Turons, whose settlements were located on the right bank of the Loire. After the conquest of Gaul by the Romans, a city was founded on the left bank, which was called Turonemsis or Caesarodunum (“Caesar’s Hill”). The modern name of the city is consonant with the French words “excursion” and “tower”, which is quite symbolic. The tour is the most convenient starting point for excursions to the famous castles located in the Loire Valley. As for the second meaning, the city’s coat of arms features three ancient towers. Under the Franks, Tours constituted a special county. During Roman rule, Tours, thanks to its very advantageous location, fertile lands and some economic privileges, became one of the richest cities in the empire. In the middle of the 3rd century, missionary Gatian (Latin: Gatianus, French: Gatien) was sent from Rome to Caesarodunum to found a Christian community. He completed his task. In the 4th century, Saint Martin of Tours became the archbishop of Caesarodunum. He was very active in missionary work, and became so famous in this field that his grave, the Church of St. Martin, turned out to be one of the greatest pilgrimage centers in Europe - along with Saint-Exupery in Toulouse and Santiago de Compostela. And now Tours is sometimes called the city of St. Martin. In 573, the famous Frankish historian Gregory of Tours, chronicler of the Merovingians, received the rank of Bishop of Tours. He too was recognized as a saint. Religious sentiments determined the development of the city in the Carolingian era, but gradually Tours became a city of artisans, artists, and scientists. On October 10, 732, a significant event took place not only for the history of Tours, France, but also for the whole of Europe. Charles Martell won a victory over the Moors at Tours, which put an end to the Muslim conquest of Western Europe. Which did not mean, of course, a rosy story. Thus, the Vikings plundered the city in 853 and 903. But the city continued to grow and strengthen. Including financially. During the reign of Philip II, the livre de Tours was adopted as the international currency of France. In the 8th century, an academy was founded in Tours, where handwritten books were produced. There was even a special style of writing letters. Those ancient manuscripts are still kept in the city library. Several important local councils took place in Tours during the early Middle Ages - in 461...