Rue Nationale (National Street), Tours (must see)

The rue Royale, now the National Street was planned in 1777 by Jean Cabet de Limray. The axis of the city previous to this was East-West using the streets of du Commerce and Colbert, becoming a north-south axis from the church of Saint-Julien. Extending over a length of about half a mile it is one of the busiest shopping streets in Tours.

The street begins at the central library of Tours and Saint-Julien church. No. 39 at National Street marks the birthplace of Honore de Balzac, the world famous French novelist and playwright in early 19th century. Since 2000, half the street has been devoted to pedestrian only traffic.

The National Street is one of the oldest streets and definitely the busiest shopping street in Tours.