Tours, France

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Tours, France

Region: Indre-et-Loire

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Geographic Coordinates: 47.393600, 0.689200

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 137087

Language: French

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Tours is a charming city located in the Loire Valley of France, Known for its rich history, Beautiful architecture, And delicious food. It is often referred to as the Garden of France due to its stunning parks and gardens that line the streets. The city is also home to many historic buildings and monuments that date back to the Middle Ages. One of the most popular attractions in Tours is the Cathedral Saint-Gatien, A magnificent Gothic cathedral that was built in the 13th century. The cathedral features intricate stained glass windows, Soaring arches, And stunning sculptures.

Another must-see attraction is Place Plumereau, A picturesque square lined with half-timbered houses that date back to the 15th century. Tours also has several museums worth exploring. One of these is Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours which showcases French art from various periods including Renaissance art by artists such as Botticelli and Rubens. Another museum worth visiting is Musée du Compagnonnage which displays traditional French crafts such as carpentry and stone masonry. Foodies will love Tours for its incredible cuisine.

The city boasts many restaurants serving traditional French dishes such as escargots (snails), Coq au vin (chicken cooked in wine), And bouillabaisse (fish stew). There are also plenty of patisseries offering mouth-watering pastries like croissants, Pain au chocolat (chocolate croissants) and macarons. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Tours offers plenty of options too! You can take a leisurely stroll along Loire River or cycle through one of many scenic routes around town while enjoying beautiful views over vineyards or historical landmarks like Château de Villandry or Château d’Azay-le-Rideau.

Overall, Tours offers something for everyone – from history buffs to foodies to outdoor enthusiasts. Its charming ambiance, Rich history, Beautiful architecture and delicious cuisine make it a must-visit destination in France.

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1. Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours (Tours Cathedral)
2. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours (Fine Arts Museum of Tours)
3. Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours (Basilica of St. Martin)
4. Musée du Compagnonnage (Museum of the Trades and Guilds)
5. Place Plumereau
6. Jardin Botanique de Tours (Botanical Garden of Tours)
7. Château de Villandry (Villandry Castle and Gardens) – located just outside of Tours
8. Musée du Gemmail (Gemmail Museum – stained glass art museum)
9. Parc des Mini-Châteaux (Miniature Castle Park)
10. La Loire à Vélo cycle route along the Loire River

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1. Food and Beverage: Tours is renowned for its wine production and food culture, making it a hub for food and beverage businesses.
2. Automotive: The city has a robust automotive industry with companies like Valeo, Faurecia, and Hutchinson having their headquarters there.
3. Technology: Tours has an expanding technology sector with companies like IBM France having offices in the city.
4. Health Care: There are several hospitals and health care facilities in Tours that provide employment opportunities in the healthcare sector.
5. Education: Tours is home to some of the top universities in France such as Université de Tours which provides job opportunities in the education sector.
6. Retail: The city has numerous shopping centers, boutiques, supermarkets which provide employment opportunities in the retail industry.
7. Construction & Real Estate: With a growing economy construction & real estate business are also flourishing providing ample job opportunities to people living there.

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1. Battle of Tours (732) – The Battle of Tours, also known as the Battle of Poitiers, was fought between the Franks and the Islamic armies led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi. The Franks were victorious, and this battle is considered a significant turning point in European history.
2. Saint Martin of Tours – Saint Martin was a bishop who lived in the fourth century AD. He is one of the patron saints of France and is known for his charitable works.
3. Francois Rabelais – Rabelais was a writer who lived in Tours during the Renaissance period. He is best known for his satirical novel Gargantua and Pantagruel.
4. Joan of Arc – Joan of Arc visited Tours during her military campaign to drive out English forces from France during the Hundred Years’ War.
5. Leonardo da Vinci – Da Vinci spent some time in Tours towards the end of his life while working on designs for Chateau de Chambord.
6. Charles IX – Charles IX, King of France from 1560 to 1574, held court at Chateau de Plessis-les-Tours near Tours.
7. World War II – During World War II, Touraine served as an important center for resistance activities against Nazi occupation forces.
8. Francois Hollande – Hollande was born in Rouen but spent much time in nearby Tulle before becoming President François Mitterrand’s special adviser on economic affairs at Hôtel Matignon (the Prime Minister’s office). He has since become President himself!

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1. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours (Fine Arts Museum of Tours)
2. Château de Tours (Tours Castle)
3. Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours (Basilica of St. Martin of Tours)
4. Musée du Compagnonnage (Museum of Trades and Guilds)
5. Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours (Saint Gatien Cathedral of Tours)
6. Jardins des Prébendes d’Oé (Prebends Gardens of Oe)
7. Hôtel Goüin Museum
8. Place Plumereau
9. Musée du Gemmail
10. Musée Balzac

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1. Tours FC – Established in 1919, Tours FC is a professional football club that competes in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team has won the Coupe de France twice and has produced notable players such as Laurent Fournier and Olivier Giroud.
2. Tours Volley-Ball – Founded in 1940, Tours Volley-Ball is a men’s volleyball team that participates in the French Volleyball League. The team has won numerous titles including 14 French Championships and two European Champions Leagues.
3. Union Sportive de Tours Rugby – Established in 1906, US Tours Rugby is a rugby union club that plays in Fédérale 1, the third tier of French rugby. The team has won several regional championships and produced notable players such as Jean-Pierre Rives.
4. Touraine Solidaire Basket – Established in 1948, Touraine Solidaire Basket is a basketball club that competes at Nationale Masculine 2 level, which is the fourth tier of French basketball leagues. The team has won several regional titles and played at higher levels during its history.
5. Avenir Club Olympique de Tours Handball – Founded in 1958, ACO Handball is a handball club that competes at various levels of French handball leagues for both men’s and women’s teams.

Overall, these sports teams have significantly contributed to the sporting culture of Tours over many years through their achievements on national and international stages as well as their development of local talent through youth programs within their respective sports domains.

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1. Festival de la Loire: A celebration of the Loire River with music, dance, and boat races.
2. Fêtes de Jeanne d’Arc: A historical reenactment of Joan of Arc’s liberation of the city in 1429.
3. Festival Terres du Son: A music festival featuring local and international artists.
4. Tours sur Loire: A summer festival with concerts, theater performances, and street entertainment.
5. Salon du Livre de Tours: A book fair featuring authors from around France.
6. Les Nuits de Saint-Pierre: An annual summer event featuring outdoor concerts and fireworks.
7. Le Printemps des Poètes: A poetry festival celebrating French literature.
8. La Foire Expo de Tours: An annual trade fair showcasing local businesses and products.
9. Jazz en Touraine: An international jazz festival held in various venues around Tours.
10. Tours International Film Festival – a film festival that showcases French cinema as well as international films

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• Rillons – pork belly stewed in its own fat
• Tarte Tatin – caramelized apple tart
• Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine – goat cheese from the region

Some popular restaurants in Tours, France include:

• Le Bistrot des Belles Caves – traditional French cuisine with a modern twist
• La Maison des Halles – seafood and market-fresh ingredients
• L’Atelier des Augustins – contemporary French cuisine with a focus on regional produce

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Parks and Recreation

1. Jardin Botanique de Tours – A botanical garden with over 1,000 plant species.
2. Parc des Mini-Châteaux – A park featuring miniature replicas of famous French chateaux.
3. Parc de la Gloriette – A large park with gardens, playgrounds, and an animal park.
4. Les Halles de Tours – An indoor market selling local produce and products.
5. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours – An art museum with collections ranging from ancient to contemporary art.
6. Loire à Vélo bike trail – A scenic bike path along the Loire River.
7. La Guinguette en Bord de Loire – An outdoor restaurant/bar by the river offering live music and entertainment in summer months.
8. Piscine du Lac swimming pool – An outdoor pool complex with water slides and diving boards.
9. Aquarium du Val-de-Loire- An aquarium showcasing various marine species.
10. Parc Mirabeau- A public park that offers walking trails and picnic areas for families to enjoy their day out in the sun!

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Find Yourself Again.

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