Tours: TravelGuide

The urban area of Tours (nearly 300 000 inhabitants) has a leading part to play in the Loire Valley. It lies at the crossroads of the North-South and East-West communication lines of Europe and is only one hour from Paris by high-speed train. The city is permanently alive with the activity... Más

The urban area of Tours (nearly 300 000 inhabitants) has a leading part to play in the Loire Valley. It lies at the crossroads of the North-South and East-West communication lines of Europe and is only one hour from Paris by high-speed train. The city is permanently alive with the activity generated by the many and varied local shops. Ongoing modernization is evident in the number of shopping malls operating or under construction (Galerie Nationale, Galerie du Metropole, Galerie du Palais, Grand Passage). The choice is considerable: from international-class luxury goods to the traditional products of local craftsmen. Resolutely turned towards the future, Tours is increasing the number of its research centres every day, especially medical and pharmaceutical laboratories known throughout the world. The human resources represent 25 000 students in the university and specialized colleges. Tours is also home to large companies specializing in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment; research teams in space development, robotics; services such as insurance groups, all with widespread influence. Gardens of the Musee des Beaux Arts, south of the cathedral. François Sicard Square, opposite the Beaux Arts, Prefecture gardens (nearest the station), Prebendes garden, Mirabeau park. To the north, Tours Sainte Radegonde garden on a former island.Further downstream, the Ile Simon park. To the west, the Botanical gardens: rare plants, animals, green-houses. To the south, the Balzac park on an island in the Cher and the Grammont park on top of the hill overlooking the Cher Valley. Further south-east, the Hates woods and the Larçay forest belong to the city of Tours. Menos