Cheap Flights to Tours

Tours overview

Known as “The Garden of France”, the city of Tours is a charming destination with a rich history. Situated in Central France on the banks of the Loire River, the city is renowned for its medieval old town and its large number of green spaces. Here the locals pride themselves on speaking the purest form of the French language. The city’s magnificent cathedral was built around 1170 and is an important sacred site. Its exterior features an ornate facade that is decorated in the Gothic style and is dominated by two imposing towers. Nearby in Place Pumereau, the city’s central square, visitors can feast their eyes on the picturesque half-timbered buildings of the 15th century, sample the local French cuisine in the bars and restaurants, or explore the labyrinth of narrow streets that surround the square. The city is also famed for its many bridges across the Loire, of which the oldest is the stone Wilson Bridge, a structure that dates back to 1765. If you want to explore the city’s artwork, spend some time exploring the Musee des Beaux Arts, which is not far from the cathedral. This fine museum holds a large collection of masterpieces under the roof of a historic palace and is also home to a stuffed elephant. Of course, no trip to Tours is complete without a visit to one of the city’s parks, such as the Botanical Gardens, the oldest public garden in the city that features an orangery and animal park. Today, Tours is a modern city, but if you are looking for an authentic French community with a long and fascinating history, this could be the perfect holiday destination.

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Getting around Tours

The old city is best explored on foot, but if you want to travel further afield there is an excellent bus network. Alternatively, try hiring a bicycle, as the city is situated on La Loire a Velo Trail, a route designed for tourists to explore Europe by bicycle. If you want to hire a car, you will find several car rental companies and many underground car parks located within the city.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) is located 3 miles (5 km) northeast of the city. After a flight to Tours, visitors will find the airport taxi the easiest way to reach the city. The airport taxi can be found in a taxi rank in front of the terminal building. There are also six car hire companies located at the airport. Alternatively you can take the bus from the airport to the bus station in the city centre.

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