Tours: Gateway to the Loire Valley Châteaux

The Practical & Historic Center

Tours (population 137,000) is the largest city in the Loire Valley and its traditional capital.

Why Tours?

• Transport Hub: TGV (1 hr from Paris), TER regional, A10/A85 autoroutes, Loire à Vélo cycle route
• Base Logistics: Wide hotel range, restaurants, bike rentals, tour operators
• Château Access: 15–45 min to Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais, Ussé
• Own Heritage: Saint-Gatien Cathedral (flamboyant Gothic), Musée des Beaux-Arts, Vieux Tours (half-timbered), Prébendes Park
• Gastronomy: Rillettes, rillons, Sainte-Maure goat cheese, Vouvray/Touraine wines

Alternative Bases

Amboise (royal history, Clos Lucé), Blois (château + magic museum), Saumur (cavalry, sparkling wine), Angers (Apocalypse Tapestry). But Tours maximizes range + convenience.