Life in Tours
Tours is a historical and cultural city at a human scale where our students immediately feel at ease. We are conveniently located in the heart of the Loire Valley, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Paris by train.
Charming, Lively, Full of Culture
Rich in history and art, Tours is proud of its varied cultural life which satisfies enthusiasts of music, art, cinema, theatre and dance. The numerous festivals attract people of all ages.
Tours boasts a friendly environment with a dynamism which attracts a university population of about 30,000 students out of a population of around 140,000. We are not in a capital city, people are not in a hurry, you will be pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the people of Tours.
What to do during your stay
Tours Cathedral
Admire the cathedral and its 13th century stained glass windows
Open-Air Market
Buy local produce at one of the markets in Tours
Photography Exhibition
See a photography exhibition at the castle of Tours
The Loire River
Walk along the Loire River or in one of the parks and gardens of Tours
Guided City Tour
Visit the city with a “greeter”, a local resident of Tours
Evening Apertif
Have an aperitif at Place Plumereau surrounded by 15th century houses
Contemporary Art Exhibit
Discover the contemporary art exhibited at the CCCOD
Eat on Colbert Street
Explore traditional French and local Tourraine cuisine in one of the many restaurants along Rue Colbert
Open-Air Tavern
Listen to music or dance in the summer at the guinguette of Tours on the banks of the Loire River
In the heart of the Loire Valley
Explore the region known as "The Garden of France", with plenty of cultural gems just outside of Tours.
UNESCO has designated our region a World Heritage Site for its chateaus (castles)! Most of the famous chateaus such as Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Amboise, Chinon and Blois are accessible by train, bike or both (you can take your bike on the train!). Cyclists can easily discover the Loire Valley thanks to the network of trails called “Loire by Bike” which leads to the beautiful places like the Renaissance Gardens of Villandry, just 20 km from Tours.
Summertime brings canoeing on the nearby Loire, Vienne and Cher rivers. Pass under the arches of Chenonceau by canoe for a magical moment! Explore CLE's Instagram or Facebook for more ideas, or explore commercial touring services through the nearby Office of Tourism.
