Wine and gastronomy: the art of living in Tours!
Welcome to Touraine, where good food and drink are a way of life. With its renowned vineyards, gourmet events and excellent restaurants, this destination is sure to awaken the epicurean in you!
Tours is proud of its achievements: located in the heart of France's third largest wine-producing region, with over 80 appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOC) and 800 km of wine routes, and designated a Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie alongside Lyon and Dijon, it is a city of choice for gourmets.
Our 10 suggestions for sampling the best of Touraine
![Cave de Vouvray]()
Vouvray wine cellar
1. Taste world-renowned wines in the heart of a troglodytic cellar
Chinon, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Vouvray... these appellations need no introduction, but do you know how these wines are produced? To discover what goes on behind the scenes, opt for a guided tour, with tasting included, of course!
![Les Halles de Tours]()
The Market Halls of Tours
2. Explore Les Halles de Tours
Nearly forty artisans (cheesemongers, greengrocers, bakers, wine merchants, caterers, etc.) make up this gastronomic hub, open every day, including Sundays and public holidays in the morning.
![Nougat de Tours]()
Nougat from Tours
3. Try the local specialities
Nougat from Tours, Sainte-Maure cheese from Touraine, rillettes from Tours... as in every region, there is no shortage of specialities! Our recommendations: the Scellerie bakery on Rue des Antiquaires, Rodolphe Le Meunier's cheese shop (awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France and World Champion in 2007) and the Hardouin charcuterie in Les Halles.
![Apéro sur l’eau]()
Aperitif on the water
4. Enjoy an aperitif on the water
Tours is also home to a wild river and traditional boats. What could be better than enjoying a drink at sunset on a barge to soak up the gentle atmosphere of Tours?
![Guinguette de Tours sur Loire]()
Tours-sur-Loire open-air café
5. Settle down at a guinguette
Tours sur Loire, Tours sur Plage, Port Avertin, the Rochecorbon guinguette, À la soupette de Mémère... each has its own unique atmosphere and selection of local specialities to enjoy on the banks of the Loire or Cher rivers! Discover our favourite guinguettes!
![Marché d'Amboise]()
Local farmers' market
6. Choosing your market
Every day, local producers sell their seasonal produce at various markets. Our favourites are the one in Amboise, which brings together 200 stallholders, and the more intimate one in Langeais, located at the foot of the château. In Tours and its metropolitan area, there are no fewer than fifty markets where you can stroll around and fill your basket. Find the complete list here.
![Vitiloire]()
Vitiloire
7. Take part in Vitiloire, the unmissable event for wine lovers
Vitiloire brings together no fewer than 150 winemakers and food artisans who showcase their expertise in the centre of Tours, opposite the train station. When you arrive, you can buy your vintage glass, pick up your tasting notebook, browse the stands to taste different vintages and note down your favourites to add to your cellar at the end of the tour.
![Villa Rabelais]()
Villa Rabelais
8. Take a trip to the Villa Rabelais gourmet library
Home to the IEHCA, the Villa Rabelais is a temple of gastronomic culture. It is thanks to the work of researchers at this institute that the French baguette was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022. But Villa Rabelais is also a space open to all, offering a gourmet library with 10,000 books, a garden where you can relax, and events throughout the year for foodies of all ages!
![Terrines de poissons de Loire]()
Loire fish terrines
9. Go on a shopping spree for local products
Honey from Touraine, fish terrines from the Loire, rillons and rillettes from Tours (the best, with all due respect to Le Mans), wine confits, apple juice, wines from the Loire Valley and so much more. Head to the Tours Tourist Office at 78 Rue Bernard Palissy to choose your selection of local products!
![Auberge Pom'Poire]()
Pom'Poire Inn
10. Stars in your eyes... and on your plate!
In Touraine, seven restaurants have been awarded a Michelin star and two have been awarded a ‘green star’. Local talents that shine brightly and will leave you with unforgettable memories. Find out more in our dedicated article.
Discover even more experiences in our Wine & Gastronomy section.
