Tours Old Town Walk (Self Guided), Tours

Having successfully preserved much of its historic heritage, Tours is particularly famous for its original medieval district – Vieux Tours. The bulk of it is concentrated around three squares: Place du Grand Marché, Place Plumereau and Place de Chateauneuf.

A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed, stone-gabled townhouses dating back to the 12th-15th centuries and carefully restored in the spirit of the time, this square is known for its exuberant atmosphere from the multitude of cafes, bars and restaurants of every kind, owing to which the place enjoys the title of the “best in France for aperitif.”

All round Place Plumereau are a hodgepodge of cobbled streets with more eateries and shops to explore. Alongside lovely half-timber buildings there you will find Saint Martin's Basilica – a late 19th-century neo-Byzantine building erected to honour the relics of St Martin, rediscovered in 1860 and now housed in the crypt; the Charlemagne Tower – one of the towers of the Saint-Martin basilica; and more.

A good number of historic sights are located in the ancient neighborhood of Chateauneuf. Place de Chateauneuf (New Castle Square) – originally built in the 15th century, has been subjected recently to a major renovation.

To the west of the former Saint-Martin abbey lies Place du Grand Marché (Main Market Square) or Monster Square, as they call it, because of the statue. To the north of Place Plumereau there are ruins of the Saint Peter the Puellier Church, founded in 512.

There is nothing like a walk in the pedestrian-friendly Vieux Tours, abounding in sights fit to please any ardent history lover. If you wish to unwind the meanders of the picturesque streets therein, whilst admiring the old-time monuments, take this self-guided walking tour.