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Take the TGV train to visit the city of Tours and the castles of the Loire

  • Tours
  • Tours by train
  • Hotel
  • Bar / resto
Perfectly situated at the heart of a heritage area, Tours subtly blends the modern world with echoes of its past. On either side of the shopping street Rue Nationale, the historical areas of the Cathedral and the Place Plumereau take you on a pleasant trip back in time. Tours city centre is quite compact, so everything is within walking distance, and when you look up, it’s easy to get your bearings. To the east, you’ll see the twin spires of the Saint Gatien Cathedral, and to the west, the dome of the Saint Martin Basilica.

We also recommend you visit the city’s various museums: the Musée du Compagnonnage guild museum, the Musée des Beaux-arts, the Hôtel Goüin or the inspired CCC. Lastly, Tours is also a green city, where you can enjoy nature as you walk through the numerous city parks. The most famous is Prébendes d’Oé, in the Prébendes d’Oé quarter, but Île Simon, the Préfecture Gardens and the gardens of the Musée des Beaux-arts are also worth a visit.
Tours
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This 15th-century hotel is a splendid example of the most beautiful homes of the time, sometimes built around a courtyard like castles and sometimes decorated, as in this case, with a Renaissance-style sculpted facade. Today it houses the Tours Archaeology Museum, which tells the story of the region’s history from prehistoric times to the Enlightenment.

Address: 25, rue du Commerce, 37000 Tours

More information: http://www.musee-gouin.fr/

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This château bears the marks of several historical periods, particularly in its towers, the highest of which, the Guise tower, dates from the 15th century. The Mars pavilion at the centre of the château was built in the 18th century, and the governors' residence borders the Loire, overlapping the remains of a Gallo-Roman wall. Also worth seeing is the History of Tours workshop, which tells the story of the city through archaeological excavations.

Address: 25 Avenue André Malraux, 37000 Tours

More information: http://www.tours.fr

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This original park offers 4 acrobatic routes through the trees, each with a different difficulty level so that everyone can have a go. A number of special workshops are available, such as the monkey bridge, zip-line and Tarzan jump, and you can also try other, more traditional activities, such as playgrounds and cycle routes.

Address: 12, rue des Thomeaux, 37530 Mosnes

More information: http://www.fantasyforest.fr

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With its Byzantine-style architecture and white, sculpted silhouette, this monument is full of striking contrasts. Orientated north-south, it was built by Victor Laloux and includes a dome under which stands the protector Saint Martin who, according to legend, banished the devil from the banks of the Loire.

Address: Saint-Martin Basilica, 37000 Tours

More information: http://www.basiliquesaintmartin.com

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Located in the Palace that was the long-time residence of the Archbishops, the museum’s courtyard is impressive thanks to its magnificent Lebanese cedar from the Napoleonic era. Inside, you’ll be able to see beautiful works by artists such as Magenta, Rembrandt and Delacroix, and a fabulous collection of 19th- and 20th-century furniture, instruments and ceramics.

Address: 18 place François Sicard, 37000 Tours

More information: http://www.musees-centre.com/

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Created in 1843, it brings together a prestigious collection of medicinal plants, rare species, and bulbous and ornamental plants, as well as a magnificent orangery and a wildlife park. It is open year-round.

Address: 33, Boulevard Tonnellé, 37000 Tours

More information: http://www.parcsetjardins.fr/centre/indre_et_loire/jardin_botanique_de_tours-226.html

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Included on the List of Historical Monuments, the 97m-long and 28m-wide cathedral looks out over the river that flows at its base. The pride of the city since it was built in 1547, it has a 70m Gothic tower at the north end, and a 69m Renaissance tower at the south end. Built in Cheillé stone from the forest of Chinon, it features 13th-century windows created at the request of Saint Louis, and a 16th-century organ.

Address: 5 Place de la Cathédrale, 37000 Tours

More information: http://www.tours-tourisme.fr/





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Travel time
Brussels Midi		 Return from
*
Lille 34 min. € 36
Paris 1h22 € 44
CDG Airport 1h13 € 114
Disneyland Paris 1h28 € 58
Tours 3h23 € 58
Poitiers 4h09 € 58
Angoulême 4h58 € 58
Bordeaux 6h11 € 58
Lyon 3h23 € 58
Valence 3h42 € 58
Avignon 4h17 € 58
Aix-en-Provence 4h40 € 58
Marseille 4h55 € 58
Saint-Raphaël 6h48 € 58
Cannes 7h12 € 58
Antibes 7h23 € 58
Nice 7h44 € 58
Nîmes 5h11 € 58
Montpellier 5h39 € 58
Perpignan 7h24 € 58
Metz 3h40 € 102
Strasbourg 5h07 € 144
Colmar 5h49 € 158
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