Tours is the most appealing of the major Loire cities, thanks to bougeois prosperity, an intelligent restoration program and a lively university population. It is built on the site of a Roman town, and became an important center of Christianity in the 4th century under St. Martin, bishop of Tours. In 1461, Louis XI made Tours the French capital, and the city prospered on arms and fabrics. However, during Henri IV's reign the city lost favor with the monarchy, and the capital left Tours for Paris.

Bombarded by the Prussians in 1870, and bombed in World War II, Tours suffered extensive damage. By 1960, the middle classes had abandoned the historic center and it became a slum, full of crumbling medieval masonry. Regeneration of the city has succeeded due to the popular policies of Jean Royer, mayor of Tours from 1958 to 1996. Today the restoration is complete, and the historic center is absolutely stunning.

The pedestrianized place Plumereau is Tour's most atmospheric quarter, set in the medieval heart of the city and full of cafés, boutiques and galleries. Streets such as rue Briçonnet reveal half timbered facades, hidden courtyards and crooked towers. A gateway leads to place St. Pierre le Puellier, a square with sunken Gallo-Roman remains and a Romanesque church converted into a café. A few streets away in place de Châteauneuf lies the Romenesque Tour Charlemagne, all that remains of St Martin's first church. Est of here is the interesting artisans' quarter, centered on rue du Petit St. Martin.

The Cathédrale St Gatien, in the eastern sector of the city, was begun in the early 13th century and completed in the 16th. Its flamboyant Gothic facade is blackened and crumbling but still truly impressive, as are the medieval stained glass windows.

Tours also has several unusual museums. Considered the finest Renaissance building in Touraine, the Hotel Gouin was a silk merchant's house and is now the archaeological museum, filled with medieval statuary. The Musée de Beaux Arts, set in the former episcopal palace, overlooks classical gardens and a giant cedar of Lebanon. Its star exhibits are "The Resurrection" and "Christ In The Garden Of Olives" by Mantegna, but more typical are the Loire landscapes and portraits. The Historial de Touriane in the nearby Château Royao is a perfect introduction to the Loire, with 165 was figures animating 15 centuries of local history.

Due to a large university population, Tours also has an abundance of interesting bars and a lively nightlife. During the days one can choose from any number of quaint cafés and charming little restaurants.

Finally, Tours itself is a great jumping off point for interesting sites in France. Some of the best places to visit are in the Loire region where Tours itself is located. For centuries, the Loire River was the area's principal means of transportation and an important barrier against invading armies. Towns arose at strategic bridgeheads, and fortresses—the earliest châteaux—appeared on the slopes of towering hills. The Loire Valley was hotly disputed by France and England during the Middle Ages; it belonged to England (under the Anjou Plantagenet family) between 1154 and 1216 and again during the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453). It was the example of Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orléans (scene of her most stirring victories), that crystallized French efforts to expel the English.

The Loire Valley's golden age came under François I (1515–47), flamboyant contemporary of Henry VIII. His salamander emblem can be seen in many châteaux, including Chambord, the mightiest one. He hired Renaissance craftsmen from Italy and hobnobbed with the aging Leonardo da Vinci, his guest at Amboise. Although the nation's power base shifted to Paris around 1600, aristocrats continued to erect luxurious palaces along the Loire until the end of the 18th century.

We are confident that you will find Tours and the Loire Valley to be a wonderful place to begin your discovery of France.

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