Tours

　　Tours is the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department in central France, located in the Loire Valley region, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. It is the largest city in the Centre-Val de Loire region and an ancient city in France, home to the renowned University of Tours. The locals are also famous for speaking the most authentic French in all of France’s regions, without any accent.

　　Tours is a highly worthwhile city to visit, known as the “Garden of France” (Le Jardin de la France), featuring numerous gardens and buildings with rooftops covered in the blue slate popular in northern France. The old town area boasts well-preserved timber-framed houses, the Place Plumereau which houses many taverns, restaurants, and outdoor cafés, as well as bustling commercial streets — making it a very popular destination among tourists.

　　Do not miss the several bridges spanning the Loire River, the Tours Cathedral built between 1170 and 1547, the Tours Museum of Fine Arts (a listed French historical monument), the Château de Tours showcasing architectural styles from the Carolingian period, the Renaissance-style Old Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville de Tours), and the beautiful Botanical Garden.

　　Tours Must-visit reason: Largest city in France's Centre-Val de Loire region Continent where the attraction is located: Europe [Europe] Country/Region where the attraction is located: France [France] Province/State where the attraction is located: Centre-Val de Loire Region [Centre Region] City where the attraction is located: Tours [Tours]