Want the 'Real' France? Go to Tours.
Friday could be a momentous day for Tours – and for once it will have nothing to do with the left foot of Paris Crowd. I always prefer traveling to Tours on Fridays so that I do not miss the beauty of Saturday morning and my morning run next to Loire river. Tours has a well preserved cultural heritage which rests easily against its modern, vibrant and dynamic image of today. It has been a seat of education since the Middle Ages and carries on this fine tradition through its universities today. The city has much to offer a first time visitor and although it is small enough to walk, its modern tramway transport system allows for easy and inexpensive access to many of its landmarks and tourist sites. Since I have visited Tours five times, I decided to share with you the highlights of my trip with the hopes to convince you to experience the city yourself.
Image Credit: Narmin Elfurjani
What to see and do.
I wouldn't say that Indre-et-Loire region is the most charming district in France, but it is home to the city of Tours and its incredible cathedral. Saint Gatien's Cathedral is a 13th-century Roman Catholic cathedral with an exquisitely detailed façade, stained glass windows, and a beautiful monastery. A morning visit accompanied by a walk around along the medieval streets will transport you back in time. You can also check out the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, which has an amazing fine arts collection including Italian gothic primitives from the 14th and 15th centuries.
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Head north into the city’s municipal garden, located between the Loire and Cher. On your walk, you may see some trees you have never seen before, such as the Chinese empress tree, ginkgo Biloba, and the endangered Dawn Redwood tree. There is also a lovely Zoo that opened in 1863 and has farm animals at Jardin Botanique for kids to play with, as well as more exotic species like wallabies. Below you can see my niece enjoying the beautiful garden.
Image Credit: Narmin Elfurjani
Where to eat.
Don't be surprised if once you get a glimpse of the food in Tours, you'll find temptation at every corner. There are many restaurants, cafes and street food vendors that serve food from all over the world. You could literally eat the globe in just one city. That said, you should definitely try some local dishes.
The typical breakfast in Tours is a croissant and/or tartine accompanied by fruit or juice, and a café au lait. I recommend eating at Les Relais d'Alsace - Taverne Karlsbrau. The service is fast, the waiters are pleasant, and the food has generous portions with a good selection of desserts. Click here to check out their menu.
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For lunch, head to Dagobert for a healthy meal. Packed with vegetables, their Plat Végétarien is the perfect light lunch. Your meals won't cost more than 15 Euros and you'll feel satisfied the whole day. Check out Degobert's menu to discover more of their dishes.
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For dinner, I recommend eating at one of the many Italian restaurants in Tours. It feels that it is culturally assumed that typical French people eat pizza for dinner more than Italians themselves. So to have the best Italian experience, make sure to have a dinner date at La Scala Restaurant.
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Although more of a Tourian experience than a meal, you can’t help but feel like a French native when you sit down for a crêpe with Nutella and banana cream, served with your choice of tea. The best place to go feel the real French crêpe in Tours is Le Patacrepe.
Where to sleep.
A 9-minute walk from the convention center, the Mercure Tours Centre Gare et Congrès is a modern hotel in the center of Tours. It is a 12-minute walk from the Gare de Tours railway station and 1.2 km from Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours. At 128€ per night, it could be a little bit expensive for students; but for those of you who do not mind spending the money, I highly recommend this hotel for your stay in Tours. For more information, visit their website.
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And there you go! Now you know where to visit, eat, and stay in Tours. Before your trip, remember to list your priorities and do them first. Living in Paris and feeling homesick? Click here to check out the best food in Paris to help you feel at home.
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