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Offered languages
- German
- English
Step into the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when the French royal court abandoned Paris for the Loire Valley and made Tours the kingdom's political and economic nerve center. Follow historian Max and local guide Iris as they untangle the city's twin identities: the fortified episcopal Cité and the bustling merchant borough of Châteauneuf. Discover how royal decrees planted France's silk trade, how Italian Renaissance carving collided with medieval timber frames, and how the daily trade of markets, canon libraries, and lost pilgrimage shrines fed the ambition of kings.
- A 2.8 km self-guided tour with 7 stops over 105 min
- Ideal for travelers interested in History & Memory and Art, Design & Aesthetics
- Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals
- Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
From Tours's main station, take local public transport toward Château de Tours. Get off at the nearest stop and walk the final few minutes to 25 Rue des Lavoirs, 37000 Tours. Check the current local connection on the day of travel.
From Place du Grand Marché, 37000 Tours, walk to the nearest public transport stop and travel back to Tours's main station. The departure point is Place du Grand Marché, 37000 Tours. Check the current local connection on the day of travel.
Itinerary
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1Chateau de Tours
The fortified royal seat where French monarchs held court and negotiated foreign treaties during the fifteenth century.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Cathedrale Saint-Gatien
A magnificent Gothic and early Renaissance cathedral housing the poignant white Carrara marble tomb of King Charles 8's infant sons.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Hotel Gouin
An early Renaissance urban mansion celebrated for its lavishly sculpted tuffeau limestone façade, loggias, and Italianate grotesques.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Place Plumereau
The picturesque centerpiece of medieval Tours, framed by iconic fifteenth-century timber-framed houses saved by twentieth-century preservation.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
A striking late-fifteenth-century brick and stone mansion tied by enduring folklore to King Louis 11's feared provost marshal.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Collegiale Saint Martin et Tour Charlemagne
The towering Romanesque remnant of the lost Basilica of Saint Martin, a monumental pilgrimage destination that rivaled Rome.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
The historic market square where Touraine's farm produce sustained the royal court and city residents for over five centuries.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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