Explore Touraine with a Greeter

Claudine, Arnaud, Annette, Claude … they all have one thing in common: they’re Greeters! But what exactly is a Greeter? Why choose a tour with them? How do you book? We’ll answer all your questions!

Place Plumereau
What is a Greeter?
A Greeter is a local resident who volunteers to show you around part of their town in a different way. From well-known spots to more off-the-beaten-track places, they’ll take you on a friendly tour of their favourite spots and share the stories that have left a lasting impression on them.
Greeters are not a substitute for professional guides; they offer a different approach, based on sharing and interaction.
Would you like to round off your experience with a tour led by a qualified guide? The Tourist Office offers a wide range of guided tours certified by the ‘City of Art and History’ scheme, available to book all year round!
Why choose the Loire Valley Greeters network?
Established in 2012 and supported by the Tours Val de Loire Tourist and Convention Bureau, the Loire Valley Greeters network brings together volunteers in Tours and the Touraine region. It is affiliated with Greeters de France and the International Greeters Association.
Our teams recruit and get to know each volunteer in Tours and the wider metropolitan area.
Did you know?
The Greeters association was founded in New York in 1992 on the initiative of Lynn Brooks. When the movement began, she wanted to improve New York’s image – which was then perceived as unsafe and sprawling – and to showcase her city as she loved it. With the help of her network of friends, she began offering visitors free guided walks through the neighbourhoods of the ‘Big Apple’. The first Greeters organisation was born, and today the movement is present in 47 countries around the world and boasts nearly 3,500 volunteers!
4 ideas for walks with a Greeter in Tours and the metropolitan area
Arnaud
In Tours with Arnaud
Arnaud has been exploring Tours on foot for 40 years. He knows almost every nook and cranny and has no shortage of anecdotes to share! In his own words: “If you’re wondering where the word ‘chapelle’ comes from, or if you find it surprising that the purest French is spoken here… I’ll take great delight in telling you everything – or almost everything! From the Roman Empire to the 21st century, in order or in disarray, a leisurely stroll yet a long journey through time awaits you. Shall we go?”!
Book a walk with Arnaud
Annette
In Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire with Annette
A native of the Tours region for several generations, Annette has been a Greeter since the movement began. She organises tours in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, a pretty little town on the outskirts of Tours, which has been home to several illustrious figures, such as Honoré de Balzac, Alexis de Tocqueville and Pierre Bretonneau. Annette’s passion? Gardens! A lover of the green spaces in this ‘garden town’, she’ll take you to the Parc de la Perraudière, known for its breathtaking views of the Loire, to the Parc de la Tour and its manor house, on the banks of the royal river… a ‘slow-paced’ stroll to be savoured at your leisure.
Book a walk with Annette
Claudine
In Saint-Pierre-des-Corps with Claudine
A Greeter since the network’s inception, Claudine offers walking tours in Tours as well as in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, where she lives. Starting from the town hall, her tours focus on ‘old Saint-Pierre’. She shares aspects of local history that have left a lasting impression on her, such as the election of women to the town council in 1924, even though they didn’t yet have the right to vote! She also talks about Saint-Pierre-des-Corps’ communist and market-gardening past, as well as traces of the Resistance during the Second World War.
Book a walking tour with Claudine
Claude
In Rochecorbon with Claude
With its wild river, vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see and cave dwellings, it’s no wonder that Rochecorbon has been designated one of the ‘Petites Cités de Caractère’! Claude will guide you so you can appreciate its landscapes and history, sharing everything he’s learnt about Rochecorbon over the years – along with a few of its secrets along the way…!
Book a walk with Claude
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive! More than 50 Greeters across Touraine invite you to explore Amboise, Chinon, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine and more… each with their own specialities, ranging from gastronomy and nature to shopping and art.
Please note that the tours are limited to a maximum of 6 participants.
How do you become a Greeter?
Do you live in Tours or the metropolitan area, and would you like to show visitors your favourite spots, chat with curious and enthusiastic visitors, and share your top tips? Are you over 18 and available for at least 2 hours a month? Join the Greeters!
If you live in Tours or the metropolitan area: contact the Tours Val de Loire Tourist and Convention Bureau via this form or by email.
If you live in Touraine (outside Tours and the metropolitan area): contact the Greeter de France association.