Car Rental Tours

A quick guide to Tours

Famed for its bridges that criss-cross the –Loire River, Tours is the perfect gateway to the wider region. Yet there’s plenty to occupy your time in the city itself.

This is a location steeped in history. The Romans named it Caesarodunum, meaning ‘hill of Caesar’, while parts of Tours’ Saint-Gatien cathedral date back to the 12^th century. Savour the slower pace of life and lush green city parks in ‘Le Jardin de la France’.

Explore the city centre

Walking the pleasant streets of Tours or taking a lazy stroll along the river bank will acclimatise you to the laid-back atmosphere of the city.

Life here seems to move at a gentler pace, moving in tune with the calm flow of the Loire and Cher rivers that the city straddles. 

Vieux Tours is the city’s old quarter, a mix of medieval buildings that still stand sturdy and proud. Here you can wander the maze of cobbled side streets, all of which lead to the Place Plumereau, a majestic square with striking timber and slate townhouses.

The square’s historic architecture provides an elegant backdrop to the many restaurants and bars, where the city’s students and locals gather to sip coffee or tuck into tossed salads, local cheese or rillettes de porc on French bread, a regional speciality. 

Another must-see are the sprawling Botanical Gardens, situated some 2km west of the city centre.

Take a serene stroll and see a selection of colourful and rare tropical species that blossom in the humid heat of the greenhouses. If you have children in tow, they’ll love getting up close to the animals at the petting zoo, plus there’s a variety of playgrounds to discover.

Discover scintillating chateaux

With its central location, fantastic road connections and proximity to the best chateaux, Tours is one of the most popular bases for further exploration of the Loire valley. 

Chateau Villandry sits to the west of the city and boasts one of the most spectacular gardens in the whole of France. It’s hard to say which is more impressive, the sheer scale of the building or the perfect symmetry of its gardens.

With a neat maze, stunning water features and manicured tree ornaments to explore, the Villandry gardens will take your breath away.

Contrasting with the splendour of Villandry are the imposing ruins at Chinon, a short drive from Tours south-west on the scenic D751.

Chinon, sitting atop a ridge overlooking the River Vienne, was originally a fortress where Joan of Arc once rallied the troops to fight off the invading English forces.

Though only the ruins of the castle remain, it’s worth a visit to see the views of the surrounding countryside and relive the fascinating story of the castle.

Explore immersive museums

The Musee de Compagnonnage is a former Benedictine monk dormitory dedicated to the guildsmen of France. Here you can see a range of fascinating artefacts, including old tools, ornate woodwork and metal sculptures.

Lovers of fine art will also delight in the Musee des Beaux Arts, a collection of pieces spanning from the 14^th to the 20^th century. The 18^th-century building is itself a work of art, with each corridor containing a bounty of mesmerising pieces including classics from Delacroix, Degas, Rubens and Monet.

Hiring a car in Tours is an ideal way to make the most of your time in this stunning part of France and exploring everything the city and picturesque Loire Valley have to offer. 

Driving in and around Tours

The Loire Valley is one of the most picturesque areas in France. Explore ancient castles, view grand architecture and lose yourself in majestically manicured chateaux gardens. There’s so much to see and do in Tours and the wider region.

If you arrive by air, you can pick up your car from us at Tours Val de Loire Airport and head west on the Rue de l’Aeroport.

Go straight over the first roundabout and use the Boulevard du Marechal Juin to cross the river using the Port Mirabeau Bridge. From here it’s a short drive into the city centre, close to all the best restaurants, attractions and parks. 

Tours is surrounded by motorways. You can use the A10 to head both north and south, or the A28 to head north-west to the iconic Le Mans, home to the world’s most famous endurance race.

The D952 is an attractive road that runs along the river to the unmissable Chateau de Chambord, a Renaissance-era palace of remarkable beauty. 

Just remember that all roads that start with an A are autoroute roads and you’ll need to pay to use them, which you can learn more about here.  

You drive on the right side of the road in France, the same as in the rest of continental Europe. The speed limit in built-up areas is 50km/h. Outside of built-up areas, the limit is 90km/h.

On autoroutes, the speed limit is 130km/h, while dual carriageways with a central reservation carry a speed limit of 110km/h.

In France, speed limits also change depending on the weather so watch out for signs alerting you to any reductions.