With regular flights from London, Tours is often the arrival point of people wanting to explore the Loire Valley.
Tours arrival tips:
- There are no buses to or from the airport but there is a taxi rank outside and it’s easy to find someone to share with who will split the fare.
- Tours Airport is officially the smallest airport I have seen, so don’t get there 2 hours early on your return as you will be queuing until your flight leaves.
- If your not very hungry, then steer clear of a €30 set 3 course meal when really you get a decent main course for €10
What to see in Tours
Saint Gatien’s Cathedral
Tours cathedral is definitely worth a visit to see the impressive stained glass window’s. This Cathedral holds the relics of Saint Martin, patron saint of France, soldiers and beggars. It’s twin towers, gargoyles and buttresses mean it’s
impressive looking from the outside and it’s a good photo opportunity.
A light show is projected onto the cathedral everyday at 10:30 pm which is worth a watch! On the same road is the Musée des Beaux-Arts and Tours’ very own chateaux. I was too late to visit the museum but apparently it is worth a visit if you have time and it has painting by Degas, Monet and a very small Rembrandt.
Wander the streets around Place Plumereau
As it was the the first night of the trip, we ate at Dagobert, a lovely restaurant near Place Plumereau that does a set 3 course dinner for €30. The food was good value, very tasty and the staff were great. I had the white Vouvray(€5) to drink which was one of the best I had the whole trip.
I had the camembert starter, pork sausage for main and I couldn’t resist the salted caramel tiramasu for dessert.
I found the baguette vending machine hilarious! I also have seen this on my visits to Lascaux in the Dordogne too. So they are obviously all over the place in France. 😄
