Activities
CYCLING THE LOIRE
With its enjoyable landscape, its mild climate and its preserved natural
spaces Touraine is a land of expression for cycling enthusiasts.
Take pleasure in a family stroll and enjoy the sightseeing that’s on offer
on the 150 km of cycle tracks.
THE PUY DU FOU
In a journey that’s less than two hours by car, be taken back in time
through the reconstructed villages and shows.
BEAUVAL ZOO
With its 4,600 animals the Beauval Zoo is a magical and unforgettable
place. A few rare species include the koala, the white rhinoceros, okapi,
white tiger...
Attractions
CHATEAUX
Located at the heart of the Loire Valley, Touraine has a lot of
spectacular châteaux on its territory along the Loire, which date from
the Middle Ages (Loches, Chinon) to the Renaissance (Amboise, Villandry,
Chenonceau).
GARDENS
The Loire Valley is famous for its gardens like Villandry,
renowned for its French gardens and also Chaumont-sur-Loire, Le Rivau,
La Chatonnière, La Bourdaisière or Valmer.
paintings.
WELL-KNOWN CHARACTERS
Some well-known characters are linked to the Loire Valley like
Leonardo da Vinci in Amboise, Joan of Arc in Chinon and famous French
writers, such as Balzac or Rabelais.
Nightlife
PLACE PLUMEREAU
Downtown, Place Plumereau, or “Place Plum” as it is known locally,
is the centre of the social scene with restaurants, bars and clubs.
There are also medieval half-timbered houses from the 15th century
which add a unique charm to your festive evenings!
Restaurants
FROM THE VINE TO THE GLASS
Touraine is a generous land with many wines that will make wine lovers
happy. They range from Chinon, Vouvray, Bourgueil to Montlouis-sur-Loire,
from red to white… in total there are more than ten AOC to discover
through the tourist circuits, the wine road, or to taste at the
“Maison des vins” in Tours.
A TABLE
Touraine is known as the “garden of France” as fruits and
vegetables grow easily here. So don’t miss our colorful food markets
in Tours (everyday).
Shopping
Why not come to Tours for a shopping experience or a stroll by
our pedestrian streets “rue de Bordeaux” and “rue Nationale.”
Welcome to the heart of the Loire Valley!
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, local landscapes mix with well-known chateaux, quiet villages and large natural areas. Don’t miss TOURS, a lively-with more than 40000 students-and tasty capital-with numerous gorgeous restaurants and one food market every day. The vineyard (one of the largest in France) offers a large range of wines. It gives especially marvelous white ones, as the Chenin found here have found the perfect place to grow. Do not leave without tasting Touraine wines served with our pork specialties and our Sainte-Maure goat’s cheese. Here living is an art, and it is a very welcoming region as well!