Cosa vedere a Tours

Spread across four floors. Level 4, where the visit starts, is the natural history library. Level 3 focuses on the natural history of the Touraine, including many taxidermied specimens and geological artefacts. Level 2 is global natural history, including taxidermied specimens from the 5 inhabited continents, as well as live insects, spiders, snakes, fish, amphibians and reptiles.…

Inside the former Palace of the Archbishops of Tours, the Musée des Beaux Arts possesses a sizable collection, including paintings by Debré, Degas, Delacroix, Monet, Roslin and Van Goyen, sculpture by Rodin as well as antiquities, objets d'art, tapestry and medieval religious artwork.…

A most unusual museum depicting artifacts of various guilds of master craftsmen, including many masterpieces of tools, sculpture, bells, clothing, shoes, decorated cakes and the exhibition hall of the museum itself, whose roof is supported by tree-trunk size woodbeams. The museum is especially welcoming to children, with quizzes available and friendly staff on hand to inform and educate.…

A tranquil corner of suburban La Riche, this ruined priory is most noted for being the home and final resting place of Pierre de Ronsard, celebrated poet of the 16th century.…

Built between 1886 and 1924 on the site of a much earlier basilica (whose two remaining towers, the Tour d'Horloge and Tour Charlemagne still stand next to the current edifice), this Romanesque church's dome stands proudly on the city's skyline. The main attraction within is the crypt which houses the tomb of St Martin of Tours.…

A Gothic cathedral with a monolithic façade, spectacular flying buttresses and plenty of gargoyles, some of which have some rather rude appendages. The interior is no less impressive and there is very detailed information available on boards all around the cathedral.…

This large botanical garden holds year-round interest, with extensive borders dedicated to azaleas, as well as a large herb garden and a rockery. There are also a medium-sized glasshouse, several animal enclosures and a children's petting farm.…

This grand 19th-century municipal building stands proudly in front of the ever changing fountains on Tours' central square. If you're there on a day where there is an exhibition inside, it is worth paying the entrance fee just to see the lavishly-decorated ball room.

Architecturally unimpressive by anybody's standards (especially if you've been spoilt by the likes of Chenonceau and Chambord), the castle nonetheless has an interesting history and hosts free art exhibitions all year round.