Life in a charming town—a river (or 2) runs through it
Set on a land mass between the Cher and Loire rivers in central France, the small town of Tours offers a sort of regal and quiet elegance. Spend your days in the picturesque Old City, home to a dazzling array of architecture, from medieval cathedrals to preserved half-timbered buildings. Book a Tours vacation rental and you'll enjoy a relaxed state, where evenings end with leisurely strolls along the river or with a glass of wine in hand. Natural beauty surrounds you too, in the form of pristine parks and formal gardens.
From churches to gardens, beauty that's sent from heaven
Dominating Tour's skyline, the 12th-century Saint Gatien's Cathedral is a stunning building, complete with stained-glass windows, massive dual bell towers, and ornate flying buttresses. You can also tour the nearby Basilica of St. Martin, a 19th-century Neo-Byzantine church. If you want to learn more about the craftsman who produced such masterpieces, the Musee du Compagnonnage explores the history behind various guilds. For art lovers, the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Tours, housed in a former bishop's palace, showcases fine European art. If you need to reconnect with nature, Jardin Botanique de Tours offers gardens filled with water lilies and magnolias.
Tours in Tours, from fine wine to castles
Shoppers unite! The Old City's indoor market halls feature local merchants selling such items as bread, cheese, and flowers, while Rue Nationale is lined with everything from high-end department stores to cozy boutiques. Looking for a place to rest your feet? Place Plumereau, the city's main square, offers the perfect spot for people watching or enjoying a leisurely lunch. In the evening, the square's pubs and nightclubs bustle with live music. Tours is also a popular jumping-off point for tours that explore the numerous wineries and royal chateaus in nearby Loire Valley.
That's putting it mild—tepid temperatures touch Tours
If you book a Tours vacation rental in the winter, you might be blessed with fairly mild conditions, including daytime highs in the mid-40s, and just a few days with snowfall. Things start to heat up in the spring when the mercury climbs into the 50s and 60s and sunny days become more common, so pack plenty of layers. Summers are warm but pleasant, with highs in the 70s and plenty of sunshine on tap. You'll need an umbrella in the autumn, the city's wettest season, when close to 3 inches of rain falls each month.
Peacocks and parks, and some fun with flamingos
Pull yourself away from the comfort of your Tours vacation rental and soak up the natural beauty of this magnificent landscape. Pristine parks in town are dotted with waterways, as creeks, rivers, lakes, and ponds are scattered throughout the grounds. You'll find an array of wildlife at Jardin Botanique de Tours, whose small zoo is home to peacocks, kangaroos, goats, and flamingos. Beyond the sparkling blue waters of the rivers Cher and Loire, the surrounding Loire Valley offers colorful scenery, complete with green rolling hills and meadows dotted with vibrant wildflowers.
Transportation options to and around Tours
Fly into Tours (TUF-Tours - Loire Valley), the closest airport, located 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from the city center.
If you're traveling by train, Tours (XSH-Saint Pierre des Corps SNCF Train Station), Tours Station and Choiseul Station are the main stations in the city.
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