10 reasons to choose Tours for weekends and vacations

Maybe you don't yet know where Tours is exactly on a map, and apart from the châteaux of the Loire, you're wondering what you can do there for weekends and holidays.... Then stop wondering and discover 10 good reasons to choose Tours!

Château of Azay-le-Rideau © Hello Travelers
1. Okay, visiting the chateaux of the Loire Valley is a must!
Tours is the ideal place to set up base camp and explore the châteaux of the Loire. And you can stay as long as you like, since there are no fewer than 50 châteaux within a 100 km radius! Summer is the perfect season for unusual experiences: the Night of a Thousand Fires at Villandry, wine tasting at Château de Chenonceau, evening strolls at Clos Lucé, panoramic picnics at Château d'Amboise or jazz aperitifs at Château de l'Islette, the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire... the choice is yours!
The Loire à Vélo at Savonnières
2. Cycling on the Loire à Vélo
The Loire à Vélo cycle route celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. It's the perfect opportunity to try out this cycle route from Tours, which runs alongside the Loire, of course, but also the Cher!
On the Cher side, cycle 22.2 km to the famous Château de Villandry. Don't miss a stop at the boaters' village of Savonnières, and the travelling guinguette “La Soupette à Mémère” in summer. To return: by bike for the bravest, or via Druye station.
Pedal 28.7 km to Amboise along the Loire to discover its royal castle, picturesque lanes (with a Sunday market) and take a well-deserved break at Maison Bigot, the unmissable tearoom. For the return journey: meet at the station on the other side of the bridge.
Lunch at Chez Madie on Place Plumereau
3. Have a drink at the “best place for aperitifs”
Aperitifs are always a convincing argument! Lonely Planet ranked our Place Plumereau as the “Best place for an aperitif”, and we agree! A square surrounded by half-timbered houses where you can soak up the effervescence of Touraine life (especially on Thursday evenings...).
Twilight boat trip on the Loire River
4. Enjoy a boat trip on the Loire or Cher rivers
Yes, in Tours you'll have the wind at your back! Aboard a gabarre or a toue cabanée, traditional Loire boats, embark for a full relax moment in the heart of nature, just a stone's throw from the city. On the program: a sightseeing tour, an aperitif on the water or a guided discovery of biodiversity!
Wine tasting at the Château de Minière
5. Tasting Loire wines
At the heart of France's 3rd largest vineyard, the Touraine area boasts some 100 tourist wineries.Estate visits, wine tastings, meetings with winegrowers: here, we know how to welcome lovers of fine vintages and discoverers of small vintages. At the crossroads of the Montlouis, Touraine, Vouvray and Chinon appellations, Tours is THE new destination for a wine tour along the water and the châteaux!
Open-air café ‘Chez Dupont’
6. Go from guinguette to guinguette and enjoy the gentle way of life
As soon as the weather turns warm, the guinguettes return to the banks of the Loire and Cher rivers. Festive, family-friendly, intimate and always natural, you'll be able to explore them to your heart's content. Don't miss: the Guinguette de Tours sur Loire, THE festive meeting place for Touraine residents! Right in the heart of the city, you're guaranteed to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere.
Auberge de l'Ile
7. Test the gourmet tables and taste the best rillettes in France
It is no coincidence that Tours is an International City of Gastronomy… Elevated to the status of ‘Garden of France’ by the kings for the richness of its soil and its mild climate, Touraine boasts a culinary heritage that has been carefully passed down and preserved. To convince you of this, here are a few renowned establishments that have won over the ‘Michelin Guide’: L’Opidom in Fondettes, L’Evidence in Montbazon, L’Auberge du XIIème Siècle in Saché, L’Auberge Pom’Poire and L’Epine in Azay-le-Rideau, Château de Pray and Les Arpents in Amboise, and Arbore et Sens in Loches. Find out more about restaurants with the Maître Restaurateur label and Michelin-starred establishments here. And it is above all in Tours that you will taste the best rillettes in France, whatever some of our neighbours may say! 😊
La Batelière sur Loire
8. Sleep in “wahoo” accommodation
In and around Tours, you’ll find some truly unique places to stay: a cave-dwelling gîte, a hotel with views of the Opera House, a château where a ‘Prince Gardener’ collects tomatoes, a stylish boutique hotel just a stone’s throw from the station, a cosy farmhouse in the countryside… let yourself be surprised! Check out our article on Unusual Accommodation in Touraine for some ideas.
Tours Volley Ball team
9. Applaud the European champion volleyball team
Not every city can boast a team that has won the European Championship (in 2017 and 2025) and the French Championship (10 titles won!), one of the most impressive records in French volleyball. So imagine the atmosphere that awaits you at the Grenon arena on match night! And if you're more into hockey, the Remparts team will put on a great show, and if handball is your thing, then don't miss a match by the Chambray-les-Tours women's team!
The MUR of Tours
10. Discover the city through street art
Tours is a playground for local and international artists, who take over streets, buildings, parking lots and even hotels! The Tourist Office is offering 3 guided street art tours to discover the works of the “Blumonday” collective, Gil KD and his famous “filles du vent”, the poetic works of Monsieur Plume and the mosaics of MifaMosa.
Need more to convince you?
Tours also has something for art and history lovers, with a center for contemporary creation (CCC OD), a private mansion that hosts temporary exhibitions (Hôtel Goüin), a photo exhibition venue in partnership with the Jeu de Paume in Paris (Château de Tours), the Musée du Compagnonnage, which houses a collection of masterpieces by the Compagnons du Tour de France, and the Fine Art Museum.
And as you stroll through the streets of Tours, you'll be greeted by a contemporary work of art: Xavier Veilhan's monster, adopted by the people of Tours.
So, see you soon in Tours?
Hôtel Goüin
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