- Must visit
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours
Museum of fine arts in the former archbishop’s palace, with paintings, sculpture, decorative arts and a notable cedar garden.
London Stansted is the only UK airport operating flights to Tours, which are provided by Ryanair. Flights operate once daily each way, and the flight duration is just under 1.5 hours long. Tours Val de Loire Airport is 8 kilometres from Tours' city centre. There is a shuttle service that departs from the airport to the main train station, leaving 30 minutes after flights land, with an average journey duration of 30 minutes. There are also taxis available, though in some cases you may need to prebook.
This attractive city in central France is home to hundreds of years of history, and is renowned for having the purest form of French in the whole country. The city is nicknamed 'The Garden of France' for its parks and rivers, as well as the Botanical Gardens that span 4 hectares and are free to visit. 'Le Vieux Tours' is the famous medieval district and popular tourist destination for those wishing to take a glimpse into the past. The Cathedrale St-Gatien, built between 1170 and 1547, is famed for its beautiful stained glass windows and original paintings. You can take a guided tour to learn more about the history of this impressive Gothic cathedral.
Anyone who wants to visit one of France's most historic cities can easily reach Tours by air. Flights to Tours depart every day from London Stansted, and with both a short journey time and plenty of low cost fares available, travellers can easily reach the gateway to the Loire Valley whenever they desire.
Tours only has one airport. All flights to the city will land at Tours Val de Loire Airport, which can be found four miles outside the city itself. This makes transfers painless and quick, with trams offering a direct connection to the centre of town as well as a taxi rank and car hire facilities which are always open for arrivals from the UK.
There's only one option for UK travellers as far as airlines are concerned. If they are headed to Tours, passengers will need to fly with the budget airline Ryanair. The company schedules direct flights from London Stansted, which take around one hour 20 minutes.
Flying to Tours is often the best way to reach both the Loire Valley and the city itself. For starters, Ryanair offers a regular service from Stansted, which is well within reach for those living in London or eastern England. Flights aren't long, taking just over an hour in all cases (while trains can be expected to take at least six hours). The transport options from Tours Airport are solid, with easy links to Tours and options for self-drive tourists as well.
Many visitors to Tours will plan to skip the city and head straight to cottages in the Loire, and the presence of car hire outlets at the airport may well come in handy. Otherwise, expect fast transfers to the city. When visitors get there, they will find plenty to see and do, especially for history lovers. In Vieux Tours, visitors can wander atmospheric streets, see the splendour of the Gothic cathedral and catch the excellent collection of masterpieces at the Museum of Fine Arts. And for an appetising pit-stop, head to the cafes around the Place Plumereau: the city's best place to chill out and enjoy some locally produced wine.
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Museum of fine arts in the former archbishop’s palace, with paintings, sculpture, decorative arts and a notable cedar garden.
Museum dedicated to the Compagnonnage craft traditions, showing tools, models and skilled workmanship in a historic abbey setting.
Contemporary art centre hosting changing exhibitions in a converted historic building. A good stop for current regional and international art.
Historic quarter with narrow lanes, timber-framed houses and small squares. Ideal for wandering and discovering medieval Tours.
Lively pedestrian street through the old town, known for historic façades, independent shops and an easy walk between major sights.
Botanical garden with themed plant collections, greenhouses and shaded walks. A pleasant local favourite for a calm break from sightseeing.
Rillettes de Tours are slow-cooked shredded pork preserved in fat. They are richer and more textured than many rillettes and are a classic speciality of Touraine.
Rillons de Touraine are cubes of pork belly or loin slowly confited until tender and caramelised. They are a traditional charcuterie staple in Tours and the Loire Valley.
Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine is a log-shaped goat’s cheese with a straw through the centre. It is one of the Loire’s best-known cheeses and closely tied to the Touraine area.
Elegant restaurant for refined French cooking with a calm, polished setting in central Tours. Good choice for a special meal focused on seasonal produce.
Smart dining room known for contemporary French cuisine and careful presentation. Suits diners seeking a more formal dinner in Tours.
Popular traditional bistro serving hearty French dishes and regional wines in a lively, classic brasserie atmosphere near the old town.
Moderate for France. Hotels, dining and local transport are usually manageable, though central stays and tourist dining cost more than in smaller Loire Valley towns.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for very good restaurant service. Taxis can be rounded up, and small change is fine in cafés.
Official public transport app
Tours Val de Loire Airport -> Gare de Tours
Check where to Tours flights depart and arrive, plus the main airport details for this route.
Tours Val de Loire Airport is 2 km from Tours city centre. Check local transport options before travel.
Tours Val de Loire Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in the terminal.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Tours Val de Loire Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Tours Val de Loire Airport: Ramps, toilets.
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