As a region bursting with cultural and historical wonders, it's no surprise that Tours is known as Châteaux country. Only a short distance from Tours, you will discover a land dotted with exquisitely decorated Châteaux. Some of which are world famous for expressing in gorgeous, finely crafted stone the creative flare and sophistication unique to aristocratic rural France.
Châteaux Amboise, towering over the Loire River for centuries, is a visually impressive fortified château. The royal palace is famous primarily for being the final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci and a fascinating museum provides you with a poignant picture of how the great man spent his remaining days. The small house in which he lived is homely and picturesque, perfect for a quiet walk among the gardens. Other great châteaux of the region include the sumptuous Château Villandry, with its intricate network of immaculate gardens, and the stunning Château d'Azay-le-Rideau.
City attractions
After a lovely walk around the bustling medieval centre, the Cathedral of St Gatien is well worth a visit. Beautifully ornate, the cathedral is a Gothic tour-de-force with the 13th century vitraux (stained glass) a wonderfully complex feast of coloured light. Elsewhere, the Museum of Fine Arts contains a diverse range of masterpieces along with a pretty garden that provides a perfect excuse to relax and unwind.
The Musee de Compagnonnage is a unique museum showcasing the best and brightest displays of craftsmanship during Tour's history. This is a remarkable collection celebrating the skills of the city's craftsmen, fine-tuned to perfection and certainly worthy of admiration.
Shopping
Centred along the popular Rue Nationale, Tours offers an array of retail highlights. You'll find plenty of the familiar brands in the Galeries Lafayette, whilst more unique outlets such Nature et Découverte, where everything has a wildlife theme, can also be explored. The historic rue Colbert hosts an attractive variety of specialist stores including art, fashion and gift stores. Tours is definitely a chic place to shop.
Fine dining
Tours has a number of regional specialities including the Tourte Tourangelle (a pork-filled pastry) and the, rather less appetizing, rillette de pigeon. Luckily, with the Loire Valley so densely fertile, many of Tours restaurants boast fresh local fish, exquisite cheeses and the very finest regional wines from nearby Vouvray and Montlouis. The Moliere bar is particularly recommended, along with Le Petit Patrimoine for some old-world class.
