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The guinguette in Tours sur Loire

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Plus the other guinguettes in Touraine!

If there is a tradition that is still thriving in Touraine, then it’s the summer guinguettes (open-air cafés), starting with the one in Tours sur Loire, which opens its doors on Wednesday 3 May 2023. It’s a wonderful feeling, at midnight or midday, to be seated at the restaurant terrace or bar.

In late spring, when the poppies make their appearance in the fields of Touraine,  the guinguette in Tours sur Loire  opens to customers on the banks of the royal river, and it feels like the holidays have really begun! Especially because, on the other side of the River Loire,  Tours beach  is another attractive holiday spot, with a bar, snacks and activities for all the family.

Guinguette at Tours sur Loire

The beach at Tours sur Loire

The guinguette at Tours – an atmosphere under the influence of the Loire

The soothing Loire atmosphere is always hard to describe, since everyone perceives it in a personal way. A special light, the sound of  the Loire , a relaxing landscape… plus  the shade of the trees, the discreet and colourful glow of the fairy lights when evening comes, the musical background at the guinguette and the sound of voices…

Below you can read how there is always something going on at the  guinguette at Tours sur Loire.  But whatever happens, a peaceful atmosphere holds sway, like in the  capital of Touraine .

The guinguette at Tours sur Loire

There are five spaces to choose from : Chez Dupont, the Central Bar, the Bar à Mômes, Le Foudre and La Plage (the beach). The simple and tasteful approach is always effective at the restaurant with varied cuisine and dishes made from local and seasonal ingredients, as well as house desserts to suitably round off the meal.

For brunch on Sundays, head for La Plage or… Chez Dupont . This last place, located next to the municipal library, offers from Tuesday to Sunday a nice spot to relax, with notably dj sets. In addition to aperitif boards, the restaurant’s menu features street food from the four corners of the world, all washed down with organic or natural wines and craft beers.

During the day, the programme aims to be eclectic with  workshops, a language café, bodily awareness, cinema, trips in traditional gabare boats with  the association Boutavant , activities for children… In the evening, we can’t wait to enjoy the  musical line-up once again (DJ sets, rock, dub, swing, tango, salsa and other mixed music styles).

Programme of events to be consulted on the website of the Guinguette du Petit Monde

USEFUL INFORMATION

From may to september

• The guinguette at Tours sur Loire : at the foot of Pont Wilson in Tours (Indre-et-Loire). Open from 3 May to 30 September 2023. Bar: every day of the week from 11am to midnight. Chez ta mère restaurant: Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 to 14:15 and from 19:30 to 21:30. Monday evenings and Sundays for lunch and dinner: jarred formulas at the counter.
• Chez Dupont (next to the municipal library level): Tuesday to Sunday. Open from 5 May until 17 September.
• The Bar à mômes , its playground and its shows for young people: from Wednesday to Sunday, from 3 May to 30 September.
• Le Foudre , an alternative, free and wild place! Open from 11 May until 16 September.
• La Plage  (a quiet bar and restaurant, a few deckchairs for reading or napping, board games…), open from 12 May until 3 September 2023. from 12 noon to dusk.

The other guinguettes in Touraine

The guinguette at Tours sur Loire with its festive atmosphere ticks all the boxes for dinner and a great evening out,  but you will definitely also be won over by other venues with the same aim in mind! If you want to stay near Tours and not stray from the banks of the Loire, then the  guinguette de Rochecorbon  (near the  Lulu Parc theme park) is ready to welcome you… It’s also the  most dance-oriented. Ideal for a pre-dinner drink with a dish of small fried fish to share!

A little further afield, the  Chez Oscar & Suzette guinguette is ideally located near the royal River Loire in the beautiful town of Amboise. And although it is not strictly speaking a guinguette,  Sauvage  (in Chargé) has a similar atmosphere.

The Amboise guinguette, Chez Oscar & Suzette.

The terrace at the  Guinguette Rabelaisienne,  definitely has  the most impressive view : only the River Vienne separates it from the royal fortress of Chinon. But to complete this overview, we should also mention the wonderful  Guinguette des Farmers  at Lac d’Hommes,  P ort Avertin ,  on the banks of the River Cher, Les Javanaises in Beaulieu-Lès-Loches and the guinguette in Montbazon, with the River Indre providing a peaceful country setting.

The Guinguette de Chinon

Guinguette de Rochecorbon: let's dance!

Guinguette des Farmers, near Lac d'Hommes.

Did you know?

The word “guinguette” comes from “guinguet” , a white wine once made in Ile-de-France. It doesn’t seem to have been very tasty (“ If you drink one pint of Montmartre wine, then you’ll piss four pints! ” as the saying went in the cafés), but it was a big factor in the festive atmosphere in the bars, restaurants, accordion-music dances and open-air cabarets. These cafés and bars became known as “guinguettes”. They were mostly located  outside Paris, beyond the 57 “barrières d’octroi” (toll gates) set up in 1785 by King Louis XVI  (the “octroi” was an old indirect tax paid in certain towns and calculated according to the value of the goods imported inside the town’s walls).

Guinguettes were also opened  on the banks of the Seine and the Marne  (Joinville-le-Pont, Nogent-sur-Marne, Champigny-sur-Marne, Suresnes, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, Nogent-sur-Seine). They combined riverside café terraces and music for dancing with  rowing boats, swimming and diving contests, water jousting and fishing,  as well as carnival games, skittles and boules. In the 1960s and 1970s, swimming was banned in many rivers due to the poor quality of the water and a high number of drownings, leading to a decline in these sociable spots… But they have made a  big come-back over the past few years in the French festive heritage, as is the case for the guinguette at Tours sur Loire! 😉

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A Guide to the Best Things to do in Tours, Loire Valley

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 13th March 2023

Categories France

Last Updated on 13th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Nestled in the heart of the Loire valley, a region of France well known for its many historic châteaux, the town of Tours has kept many vestiges of its medieval past. Here’s a guide to the best things to do in Tours , as well as what to know before you go.

What is Tours known for?

Tours cathedral, château de tours, musée des beaux arts de tours, relax in the park prébendes d’oé garden, enjoy the cherry blossom, harry potter store (les trois sorciers), musée du compagnonnage, walk along the river loire , take a boat ride , flood level, get a drink at place plumereau , charlemagne tower , clock tower, basilica , christmas market, take a day trip to amboise, take a day trip to the loire valley château, boll n roll, where to stay in tours.

Tours is a city located in the Loire Valley region of central France, known for its rich history, architecture, and cultural attractions. Among them are the Château de Tours and the Cathedral of Saint Gatien.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours is another notable attraction, featuring a collection of over 12,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.

The city also boasts the picturesque Place Plumereau, a popular spot for dining and socialising surrounded by medieval half-timbered buildings, and Les Halles de Tours, a bustling indoor market.

Tours is also known as the gateway to the Loire Valley, home to numerous historic châteaux, including Château de Chenonceau, Château de Chambord , and Château de Villandry, making it a popular destination for history, culture, and food enthusiasts. For more inspiration, check out our suggested Loire Valley itinerary .

Things to do in Tours

Truth be told, one of the best things to do in Tours is to stroll around the old town, which is characterised by its little lanes and timber-framed architecture.

Old Tours makes up the streets surrounding Place Plumereau. Largely pedestrianised, the little cobbled lanes are perfect for snapping stunning medieval-esque photos.

Widely regarded to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France , Tours Cathedral is officially known as Cathédrale Saint-Gatien and was constructed between the 12th and 16th-centuries.

Today, highlights of the Gothic ecclesiastical building include original 13th-century stained glass windows and several ornate stone-carved tombs of the children of Anne of Brittany.

As is the case with many medieval towns, Tours boasts its own Château with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The Château de Tours was constructed in the 11th-century and was once home to the  Lords of France. Today, the castle can be visited for a small fee.

Those who wish to enjoy some of the finest paintings held in the Loire Valley need to look no further than the Museum of Fine Arts. Highlights of the art museum, which is set against the backdrop of the bishop’s former palace, include fine Italian paintings and two paintings by Andrea Mantegna.

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Tours is the park of Prébendes d’Oé, which is a beautiful green space that is centred around a central lake teeming with ducks. When the weather is warm, it’s a great spot to people watch and sit on a bench in the sunshine.

If you happen to be visiting Tours in the summertime, then one of the best places to soak up some summer sunshine is at Guinguette Tours (official name Guinguette de Tours sur Loire), which is an open-air terrace along the banks of the River Loire from the late Spring to early Autumn.

It may surprise many, but Tours is actually a fantastic place to enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms during the springtime. The best places to enjoy cherry blossom in Tours is along rue Constantine, on the adjacent rue du commerce, and around the train station.

Please note that the pink cherry blossom around the train station is slightly later blooming than that in the centre of town, which tends to bloom in the last couple of weeks of March. If you visit during the last week of March then you will be sure to see at least a few trees in bloom!

One of the more unusual shopping experiences to have in Tours is to head to the wizarding store along  Rue du Commerce. Head in at any given moment and you’ll soon find a wide selection of magical collectibles and clothing inspired by the Harry Potter series.

Set against the backdrop of a former abbey dedicated to Saint-Julien, yet another museum in Tours which is worth checking out is the Musée du Compagnonnage, which is all about trade-guild history.

One of the most famous rivers in France is the Loire, and this is what gives the area its name. As well as being the 171st longest river in the world, the Loire is the longest river in France and the 3rd longest in Europe.

One of the most gentle and relaxing ways to get a different view of the Loire Valley is by taking a boat ride along the River Loire. One agency that proposes tours down the river in a flat-bottomed wooden river boat is the Boutavant Association. Find more details here.

If you’re looking for a unique hidden gem of Tours that’s a little off the beaten path, then you can head to the flood level marker that lies along the banks of the River Loire. The marker details all recent flooding levels, as well as more historic ones.

The very beating heart of Tours is Place Plumereau, which is a big open square with sprawling cafés, restaurants, and eateries. While the brasseries on the square are not of the best quality, it’s one of the best spots in the city to grab a drink and people watch when the sun is shining.

One of the more historic buildings you’ll see when wandering around town is the Charlemagne Tower. This is known as the tower of Charles the Great in English and is now all that remains of the original Basilica of St. Martin of Tours. Local legend suggests that it was in this basilica or close by that Charlemagne interred his wife.

Known as the Tour de l’Horloge in French, the clock tower is situated in the vieux-ville portion of Tours and dates back to the 11th-century, though much of what you see today was added in the 16th-century.

Tours Cathedral is not the only important ecclesiastical building in Tours. There is also the Basilica of Saint Martin (known as the Basilique Saint Martin in French) which was constructed to replace an earlier one of which the Charlemagne Tower is the only remaining remnant. Today, a visit to the interior of Basilica is free and open every day of the week.

Visitors who frequent the ancient settlement during the winter will soon discover the Tours Christmas Market, which takes place on an annual basis. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our Tours Christmas Market guide .

Tours is the gateway city to the Loire Valley, making it a great place to base yourself from which to explore the wider region. One of the most delightful towns near Tours is Amboise, which is where there’s a wonderful château and medieval town.

Of course, history buffs will be well aware that the Loire Valley is best-known for its amazing Châteaux. Some of the most famous Châteaux in the region are Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau.

The easiest way to get to the Loire Valley Châteaux is by car as many of the castles are not served by public transport. Alternatively, if you want all of the transportation details taken care of for you, then you can book a guided tour like this one.

Where to eat 

In the French countryside outside of Paris, it can be hard to find vegetarian options and any vegan offerings are even harder to find still. One particular favourite of mine when it comes to somewhat healthy fast food in Tours is Boll n Roll, where there are several meat-free options on the menu.

Thanks to its fairly large size and popularity, there are a number of different places to stay in Tours to suit almost any budget and taste. Here are some of the best places to stay in Tours based on web-reviews and location:

Budget: One of the most affordable and yet cosy places to stay in Tours is The People. This chic hostel offers private rooms as well as mixed-gender and female-only dorms. There’s a bar onsite with a terrace. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range: Those in search of an affordable luxury option when it comes to staying in Tours can check out this cosy little hotel. Amenities include air conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a fairly central location. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury: For the ultimate luxury experience during your time in Tours, consider booking yourself a stay at this four-star hotel. Highlights include a pool and spa, as well as a fitness centre. Check prices and availability here.

Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Tours? Pin this article now, read it again later:

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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La Guinguette de Tours sur Loire

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37000 Tours

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One of my favorite spots in Tours! A group of us stopped in at the restaurant, above the waterside seating, for a late dinner and drinks. A chalkboard menu displayed the available appetizers, entrees and sides of the day. Some items were sold out and crossed off on the busy night we were there. I had the steak and fries. My steak was served quite rare and very buttery. That night through the next day I actually got quite stomach sick but I'm not sure it was food related. (Minus one star just in case!) The dining experience was so lovely under twinkly lights and open air. I came here another night when it was an open air dance party with a DJ. So much fun!! The beers were served in pitchers with different flavorings like lemon and orange. I was skeptical as I'm not a big sweet alcohol fan - but it refreshing and light. There is a large beer garden style area with umbrella covered tables and chairs for chatting and relaxing. The service at the restaurant wasn't the most pleasant, but the bar staff was very nice. The atmosphere and the view are certainly worth checking out. Happy to be introduced by our local friend to such a wonderful gathering place.

I've read about guingettes on a travel magazine some time ago. It sounded rather fascinating. Then I forgot about it. Then our AirBnb host told us the guingette by the river was open. We thought sure perhaps we'll check it out. We then end up renting bicycles and cycling along the river and we stumbled upon the guingette. It looked so lovely that we decided to come back a little later. We're so happy that we did because we had a magical evening. It was such a lovely experience even to just sit and watch the couples pair off and dance. I wished I knew enough French to join in on the lessons! But even just sitting there and drinking wine and enjoying each other's company we had a great time and it was one of the most memorable experiences of that trip. We even discovered a new song/artist that now when we listen to, reminds us of that evening.

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Guinguette sur Loire

Things to do in Tours

• About Guinguette sur Loire

On the left bank of the Loire, just by Pont Wilson, is the place Tours' "Guinguette" happens from May to September. It isn't authoritatively summer in Tours until this open air bistro by the stream is clamoring each night with local people and sightseers at the bar porch, participating in move lessons, getting a charge out of shows or watching motion pictures at the outside silver screen.

Visits is an understudy city so the climate is constantly warm and vigorous. The area is superb, under willow trees and string lights, with the stream moving past. Consistently, there Guinguette has something new on the timetable.

The Guinguette valley port is a sanctuary of tranquility on the banks of the Loire, perfect for browned fish and white spread fish, and eels following landing and conventional French cooking. Little and huge yearnings will discover what suits them. regardless of whether the climate is decent or blustery the place has a secured territory , so don't stress if the climate turns awful, you'll have a remark. Great night times in context to the sound of the accordion.

Melodic excitement , musette environment, French tunes, shake blues counsel the melodic program of our site. In fine climate it is best to book. Exceptional menu for Mother's Day and July 14 with firecrackers; plausibility to privatize the guinguette for significant occasions wedding, birthday, class and so forth

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Toue river cruises, the natural history museum tours, tours botanical garden, musee des beaux arts de tours, eglise saint julien de tours, wine and gastronmic visits, chateau de villandry, basilica of st martin, musee du compagnonnage, loire a velo, tours cathedral, similar activities in france, church of our lady of esperance, castle flers, cite du vin, lyon cathedral, ancient theatre of fourviere, grand theatre de bordeaux, montpellier cathedral, chateau de flaugergues, jardin botanique de lyon, eiffel tower, massif des calanques, perret tower, similar activities outside france, khwaja bande nawaz dargah, seven sisters falls, tungabhadra dam, glass skywalk, a romantic dinner on a cruise in mumbai, nagarjuna sagar dam, piran kaliyar sharif, nallamala forest, shimla toy train ride, manjolai hills, tada falls / ubbalamadugu falls, explore more.

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Great atmosphere and food - La Guinguette De Tours Sur Loire

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“Great atmosphere and food” Review of La Guinguette De Tours Sur Loire

A little pricy (but worth it for the quality and entertainment). Live music every night, fresh food & great wine. Went several times over a month's stay.

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Didn't eat here but had the pleasure to enjoy several drinks in this summer 'pop up' venue on the banks of the Loire on a hot, sunny afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it was very hot there was a nice breeze which was refreshing. You may be lucky enough to catch one of the many types of entertainment - and it is free :) Highly recommended.

We stumbled upon this jewel in Tours crown! Fantastic atmosphere, amazing food. Its not possible to reserve a seat but if you make yourself known and have a drink at the bar the waiting staff really do keep an eye out for who's next for a table so don't be put off. The lady who looks like Helena Bonham-Carter is especially efficient and pleasant. The food is excellent quality. Can't wait to return!

This pop-up restaurant on the banks of the Loire is only open in the Summer months. It is out-doors (with awnings) and very atmospheric. The food is limited to a few choices per course but all fresh and home-cooked - delicious! The staff are friendly and jolly. Looking for something unusual? Try to Rose Chinon (a local wine that the locals drink so much of that you never see it outside the Loire).

I didn't eat here, as I only and luckily stumbled on this venue after dining elsewhere, but what a place to enjoy Saturday night right on the banks of the Loire with hundreds of local residents eating at the restaurant or enjoying a wine or two on the public terraces by the river and the entertainment from on board the barges moored adjacent to the site. Reserve a table by all means, but people spill out onto the adjacent riverbank, put a 1 euro deposit on a wine glass and return for a refill at the bar or buy a snack from the barbecue shack operating nearby. It's great value and entertainment and on a Sunday afternoon I chanced upon traditional 15th century music and dance (for free) by enthusiasts from Danses Bretonnes at the same location to enjoy a wine or two under the swaying weeping willows.

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Tours (France)

15 Best Things to Do in Tours (France)

It’s no mystery that Tours is a favourite base for people discovering the Loire Valley’s exalted châteaux.

Villandry, Chenonceau and Amboise are moments by car, and with the help of the Loire à Vélo network you can visit them on two wheels with ease.

But you may find that if you delve a little more into Tours’ history and attractions, it could be difficult to leave the city at all.

In the centre are timber houses and renaissance mansions on car-free streets, and museums that draw you into the city’s medieval past.

There are vineyards welcoming inquisitive oenophiles in the countryside and both the waters and banks of the Loire invite you to go wherever your sense of curiosity leads.

Lets explore the best things to do in Tours :

1. Tours Cathedral

Even by the glacial speed of construction in the middle ages, Tours Cathedral took a long time to be completed.

Building began in 1170 and wouldn’t be finished until 1547, but this means we’re met with a perfect summary of the evolution of gothic art.

The ensemble of original 13th-century stained glass windows in the ambulatory chapels and above the choir is one of the finest in France, and seems to generate its own light.

The cathedral has information panels giving you the meaning behind each image.

The marble renaissance tombs of King Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany’s children are also moving, as both died in infancy.

2. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours

The riches from Cardinal Richelieu’s 17th-century campaign against the Huguenots and the art seized from abbeys during the Revolution all ended up at Tours’ stellar museum of fine art.

Because of their religious source there’s a good body of Italian gothic primitives from the 14th and 15th centuries, while the two renaissance paintings by Andrea Mentegna are regarded as masterpieces.

You’ve got over a thousand artworks to get through, with sculpture by Rodin, Flemish and Dutch painting by Rembrandt and Rubens, and Impressionism by Monet and Degas.

3. Tours Botanical Garden

The city’s municipal garden has a bit of a troublesome setting, between the Loire and Cher, which made it susceptible to flooding in the past, with two devastating inundations in the mid-19th century that filled the greenhouses with two metres of water.

Even after being hit by bombs in the Second World War there isn’t the slightest hint of a troubled past at these serene gardens.

On your walk you may notice some trees you haven’t seen before, like the Chinese empress tree, ginkgo biloba and the endangered dawn redwood.

The animal park is from 1863 and has farm animals for kids to bond with, as well as more exotic species like wallabies.

4. Le Vieux Tours

Like all the best historic city centres the historic buildings on the pedestrian streets around Place Plumereau aren’t sterile museum pieces but vibrant cornerstones of local life, used as shops, restaurants and bars.

Place de Plumereau is at the nerve centre of one of the largest conservation areas in Europe, with renaissance mansions boasting sculpted reliefs or cantilevered timber houses, going strong for hundreds of years.

If you’re OK with everybody knowing you’re a tourist, jump aboard the little train that departs every hour from Place Plumereau in summer.

5. Musée du Compagnonnage

In the 16th-century Dormitory at the former Abbey of Saint-Julien is a museum devoted to a French workers’ movement that dates back to medieval times.

Roughly, the Compagnons du Tour de France is like a guild of journeymen that preserves historic trades and educates young people about them as part of an apprenticeship.

To complete the apprenticeship and become a “companion” a craftsman had to create a masterpiece for whatever discipline he worked in.

And these dumbfounding creations are presented at the museum, in all kinds of different disciplines, like metalwork, tailoring, shoemaking and woodcarving.

6. Hôtel Goüin

What may be the most beautiful of Tours’ many old building has just come through a long restoration and is open to the public once more.

Hôtel Goüin is an early-renaissance palace on Rue du Commerce, with a balustraded porch and the sort of loggia in which you might expect to see Juliet calling for Romeo.

During the restoration they unearthed fragments of an older building from the 1100s, with four arches and a well, which are on show.

You might just want to stop for a photo of that magnificent facade, but there’s an archaeological museum inside with artefacts from Roman times up to the 1800s.

7. Halles de Tours

Billed as the “Belly of Tours” (ventre de Tours), the city’s indoor market may not be France’s largest, but it’s a gastronome’s idea of heaven.

You may even want to bring your camera or have your phone at the ready, because the cheese, charcuterie, seafood and in-season fruit and vegetable counters are presented with real flair.

If you’re stuck for gift ideas then markets like this tick the box as they’re stocked with all the best from the region.

At Tours that entails wine from the Loire Valley and luxury chocolate.

The city is one of France’s chocolate capitals, and every years holds the Salon du Chocolat de Tours at the Centre de Congrès Vinci.

Come for lunch too: The oyster bar shucks your oyster as you go.

8. Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé

During the French Second Empire from the mid-1800s English-style parks like this one popped up in provincial cities across France.

This was a spot for urban families to take promenades, kids to play and for the city to put on outdoor concerts at the park’s gazebo.

There’s less of the formality of French parterres, as paths weave through tulip flowerbeds and  copses of lime, plane, cedar, chestnut and lofty redwood trees.

So if you could do with a moment of repose take a wander by the pond and pause for a tea or coffee at the kiosk.

On warmer days you could load up on cheese and charcuterie at the market and have the perfect French picnic.

9. Église Saint-Julien de Tours

The predecessors of this  12th-century abbey were wrecked by the Normans in the 9th century and then in a war between the feudal houses of Blois and Anjou in the 10th century.

But miraculously the building that followed has survived everything from the French Revolution to the Second World War.

It was part of a long-gone abbey, and the garden next to the church is where the cloister used to be, while the Musée de Compagnonnage occupies the old dormitory.

10. “Toue” River Cruises

Commercial craft floated along the Loire and Cher since antiquity, hauling people, wine, silk, lumber, salt and all sorts of other cargo up and down these rivers.

Because the waterways can get very shallow they used flat-bottomed sailboats called “toues”, and you can too! Toues can carry between 12 and 30 passengers for hour-long trips, or even romantic dinner cruises in the evening.

Their skippers know these waters and banks like the backs of their hands: And with the deck as your balcony, they’ll shed light on the Tours’ river trade, its many colourful characters and perils.

11. Loire à Vélo

If you had to picture some quintessentially French holiday activities, a bike ride next to the Loire with a backdrop of gentle vine-striped hills and châteaux must be one of the first that comes to mind.

About 150km of the of the Loire à Vélo cycle trail’s totalling 800km are in the Touraine region.

The route is clearly-marked, easy -going because it never leaves the riverside and convenient as there are dozens of hire stations along the way.

You could give yourself set destinations like Amboise or Villandry, which are both reachable in about an hour.

Or make more of an adventure of it by going further afield and spending the night at the inns on the route that are happy to accommodate cyclists.

12. Guinguette sur Loire

On the left bank of the Loire, just by Pont Wilson, is where Tours’ “Guinguette” takes place from May to September.

It isn’t officially summer in Tours until this outdoor café by the river is bustling every evening with locals and tourists at the bar terrace, taking part in dance lessons, enjoying concerts or watching movies at the outdoor cinema.

Tours is a student city so the atmosphere is always warm and energetic.

The location is wonderful, under willow trees and string lights, with the river rolling past.

And every year there Guinguette has something new on the schedule.

13. Wine and Gastronmic Visits

If you’re a wine-lover you’ve come to the right place.

There’s an absurd amount of AOCs nearby: A dozen within an hour, and five bordering the city.

The diversity will make your head spin more than the wine itself, with the reds of Touraine-Chenonceau, the whites of Touraine Sauvignon and rosés made in Touraine noble joué.

When it comes to precious foodstuffs there’s a saffron market in Preuilly-sur-Claise and a seasonal truffle market at Marigny-Marmande.

The local cheese, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine is known to all for its cylindrical shape and the straw that pierces it through the centre.

To know more, pay a visit to the dairy at Les Passerelles or the child-friendly goat farm, Cabri au Lait, which makes Sainte-Maure but also has a petting zoo for the little guys and girls.

14. Château de Villandry

It would be criminal to visit Tours and not call in at one of the abundant château in the region.

Tours is touted as a gateway for these sensational pieces of French royal or noble heritage.

You can reach Villandry in 20 minutes, and it’s one of the finest.

The gardens are the showstopper at this château.

They were restored at the turn of the century by the Spanish doctor Joachim Carvallo.

He conceived several terraces of renaissance gardens, all with precisely trimmed boxwood hedges in joyous geometric configurations.

There’s a water garden, labyrinth, sun garden, ornamental garden with high hedges, but the most astounding is the formal medieval kitchen garden, all in neat plots.

15. Château d’Amboise

The home of Francis I and most of the French royalty in the 16th century is a 20-minute car or train ride to the east.

The château had its heyday in the renaissance period after Charles VIII turned it from a fortress into the Loire valley’s first Italian-style palace in the late-1400s.

In 1516 Francis I invited Leonardo da Vinci to live and work in Amboise, and the polymath’s home at Clos Lucé was actually connected to the Château d’Amboise by underground passageways that you can discover today by prior arrangement.

Da Vinci died here in 1519 and is buried at the Chapel of Saint-Hubert at the Château.

The gardens are embellished with spherical topiaries and the views from this spur above the Loire are divine.

15 Best Things to Do in Tours (France):

• Tours Cathedral
• Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours
• Tours Botanical Garden
• Le Vieux Tours
• Musée du Compagnonnage
• Hôtel Goüin
• Halles de Tours
• Jardin des Prébendes d'Oé
• Église Saint-Julien de Tours
• "Toue" River Cruises
• Loire à Vélo
• Guinguette sur Loire
• Wine and Gastronmic Visits
• Château de Villandry
• Château d'Amboise

Les jolies guinguettes des bords de Loire…

Le guide sésame touraine val de loire vous propose une petite sélection au fil de l’eau….

Les guinguettes fleurissent aux beaux jours en Touraine, pour le plus grand plaisir des  tourangeaux et touristes.  Le Guide Sésame Touraine Val de Loire vous propose une petite sélection au fil de l’eau…

Tours sur Loire 

Lieu de rencontres et de brassage intense, la guinguette de Tours sur Loire s’étend sur différents  lieux phares : le restaurant « Chez Dupont », la Guinguette principale avec sa belle scène et son  parquet de danse, le « Bar à Môme » et le bar à cocktail « Le Foudre ». 

Quai de la Loire, au pied du pont Wilson 37000 Tours 

https://www.facebook.com/GuinguettedeTours/ 

Tours sur Plage 

Sur la rive droite, face à Tours sur Loire, cette plage est une bulle de nature, sans musique  ambiante ni wifi. Dans le respect du décor naturel des bords de Loire, nombreuses animations  centrées sur l’écologie sont proposées. Produits locaux servis au bar et au restaurant. 1 Quai de Portillon, 37100 Tours 

https://www.facebook.com/laplagedetours/ 

Rochecorbon 

Bienvenue à la plus grande guinguette de France ! 

Au programme : grillades, salades et fritures de poissons au restaurant Le Canotier midi et soir,  pétanque ou volley avec matériel mis à disposition gratuitement, soirées country ou tango avec  initiation gratuite à la danse, apéro-concerts, jeux de plein air pour enfants … Quai de la Loire, 37210 Rochecorbon 

https://www.guinguettederochecorbon.eu 

L’Arrose’Loire 

Espace de détente et de convivialité au milieu d'un jardin agro-écologique et permacole à La  Riche. Restaurant éphémère avec planchettes de produits bio du Potager de Loire, concerts,  dancefloor rock et swing, ateliers éco-responsables … 

Chemin du Sauge Prolongé, 37520 La Riche 

https://larroseloire.fr 

Port Avertin 

Une riche programmation artistique intergénérationnelle, des animations pour les enfants à  l’espace Cher’Ubins, des activités nautiques avec la Capitainerie, un bar et une restauration  simple et savoureuse à La Paillotte et la Cahute, bals populaires tous les week-ends … Un air de  vacances flotte sur les rives du Cher ! 

Allée du Petit Cher, 37550 Saint-Avertin  

https://www.facebook.com/guinguettesaintavertin/ 

La Soupette de Mémère 

Depuis dix ans, cette guinguette itinérante pose ses valises l’été sur les bords du Cher à  Savonnières. Vous pourrez y déguster une cuisine 100% maison à base de produits bio et locaux,  dont la fameuse « soupette » du jour, ou y boire un smoothie ou une bière locale. Nombreuses 

animations culturelles de juin à août : théâtre, concours de poésie, cours de danses  traditionnelles… 

Aire des Charmilles, 37510 Savonnières 

https://www.alasoupettedememere.com 

Chez Oscar et Suzette 

À Amboise, la guinguette Oscar et Suzette est installée dans un cadre naturel en bord de Loire,  propice à la détente et à la convivialité en famille ou entre amis ! Salades composées, grillades,  planches apéritives et boissons sont proposées avec au programme des animations tout au long  de l’été. 

Quai du Général de Gaulle, en contrebas, Bords de Loire, 37400 Amboise 

https://www.facebook.com/Chez-Oscar-Suzette 

Lieu incontournable pour profiter d’un déjeuner ou d’un dîner animé par les clapotis de l’eau,  dans une ambiance naturelle, sur les rives de l’Indre. Le restaurant propose une cuisine  traditionnelle composée de produits frais et locaux. 

Parc de La Grange Rouge, 37250 Montbazon 

http://guinguette-montbazon.fr 

La Guinguette de Chinon vous accueille en saison dans un cadre exceptionnel face à la Forteresse  Royale de Chinon en bord de Vienne. Bar, restaurant et snacking. Soirées à thème, concerts.  Espace enfants, jeux. 

Quai Danton, 37500 Chinon 

https://www.facebook.com/guinguettechinon/ 

Bar-resto local face à la Loire ou en cave troglodytique. Cave à vin bio, nature et bière artisanale  de Loire. Épicerie 100% locale. 

15 Levée de la Loire, Lieu dit Les Caves, 37530 Chargé 

https://www.volupiacave.fr 

Les Farmers Lac d’Hommes 

Situé dans d'anciennes carrières de faluns à 35 km de Tours, le lac d'Hommes est idéal pour se  détendre et se baigner dans un grand espace naturel et dans une eau claire en toute sécurité. La  guinguette des Farmers vous accueille au bord de la plage en saison pour vous restaurer avec vue  sur le plan d’eau. Nombreuses activités aquatiques proposées pour petits et grands. 48, chemin des Lacs, 37340 Hommes 

https://www.facebook.com/LesFarmersLacdeHommes/

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La Guinguette De Tours Sur Loire

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

This pop-up restaurant on the banks of the Loire is only open in the Summer months. It is out-doors (with awnings) and very atmospheric. The food is limited to a few choices per course but all fresh and home-cooked - delicious! The staff are friendly... and jolly. Looking for something unusual? Try to Rose Chinon (a local wine that the locals drink so much of that you never see it outside the Loire). More

What a bar! Cool relaxed vibe, playing chilled out music. Great location on the banks of the Loire by Pont Wilson. Gets busy in the evenings but was very quiet late morning. A great place to have a refreshing beer, overlooking the river & to... cool off during the heatwave. Lovely watching the sun go down over the river under the shady trees. Friendly atmosphere. Loved this place. More

I didn't eat here, as I only and luckily stumbled on this venue after dining elsewhere, but what a place to enjoy Saturday night right on the banks of the Loire with hundreds of local residents eating at the restaurant or enjoying a wine or... two on the public terraces by the river and the entertainment from on board the barges moored adjacent to the site. Reserve a table by all means, but people spill out onto the adjacent riverbank, put a 1 euro deposit on a wine glass and return for a refill at the bar or buy a snack from the barbecue shack operating nearby. It's great value and entertainment and on a Sunday afternoon I chanced upon traditional 15th century music and dance (for free) by enthusiasts from Danses Bretonnes at the same location to enjoy a wine or two under the swaying weeping willows. More

We stopped here for a drink on a hot day in August. They charge one euro for your glass which you then get back after returning it. The drinks were kind of pricey but the patio is a nice place to hang out.

This is a very relax place and we were looking forward to drink icy drinks in the 30 celcius weather. A beer and a diabolo. They charge 1 euro by glass as a consignment. That is the problem... The glasses are only rinsed... Hello cold... sores and + ! My husband s beer even had lipstick on the rim... That broke the moment. Hygiene is not a priority in France... We do not recommend.... More

This place is very lively during summer. The waitresses were nice, polite and the service was quick and excellent (and it was packed)! The food is a bit pricy but worth it; the portions were generous. The choice of wine a la carte is quite... good. The settings of the restaurant creates a really nice a ambience. More

Pricey and plastic glasses. But on a hot evening this was pleasant. Watching the people stroll by with a pint us great.. Just, please, get rid of the plastic.

We went on Saturday night without a reservation and even though the restaurant was crowded, the friendly staff managed to find us a table in ca 10 minutes. Great food and wine, very cool atmosphere. You might want to choose a nice weather to go... though, they do have shades over the tables but obviously it's all outside. The entrees and deserts are 7 euros each, main courses 15 - 21 euros. More

We've been to the Guinguette numerous times over the past two months. Open during the warmer months, it offers patrons a multitude of experiences: a relaxed beer garden setting overlooking the Loire, restaurant with simple but well cooked meals, super casual (but delicious!) BBQ, film... nights, dancing, live music...the list goes on. The crowd ranges from uni students to young families to grandparents enjoying a dance. Tip: Don't be put off by the plastic beer glasses... they're used to avoid breakage and are reused (after being washed of course!). We will miss this place and wish there was an equivalent back in Melbourne! More

We're actually still here but didn't want to forget to review. We ordered the "dos de cabillaud" (sp?) and it was heaven. Only 16,50€ for a two course lunch. The place is just labeled "restaurant" but if you go down some steps, are still outside,... and can see the Loire and the "Arche des Zanimaux" you're in the right place. We didn't know until we compared the phone numbers on the placemats! More

A little pricy (but worth it for the quality and entertainment). Live music every night, fresh food & great wine. Went several times over a month's stay.

Didn't eat here but had the pleasure to enjoy several drinks in this summer 'pop up' venue on the banks of the Loire on a hot, sunny afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it was very hot there was a nice breeze which was refreshing.... You may be lucky enough to catch one of the many types of entertainment - and it is free :) Highly recommended. More

We stumbled upon this jewel in Tours crown! Fantastic atmosphere, amazing food. Its not possible to reserve a seat but if you make yourself known and have a drink at the bar the waiting staff really do keep an eye out for who's next for... a table so don't be put off. The lady who looks like Helena Bonham-Carter is especially efficient and pleasant. The food is excellent quality. Can't wait to return! More

LA GUINGUETTE DE TOURS SUR LOIRE - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

• Service: 3.5
• Atmosphere: 4.5

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