Camping in Tours

Do you fancy exploring the Touraine region from the water? Take a cruise down the Loire or Cher, aboard a traditional boat. Don’t delay! Once you're back on dry land, head for the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park, on the banks of the Loire, for a walk in a beautiful, unspoilt setting. Keep up the momentum, continuing along one of the five Grande Randonnée long distance footpaths that criss-cross the region. Then head to the vallée troglodytique des Goupillières (troglodyte dwellings) or the grottes pétrifiantes de Savonnières-Villandry (caves) Have you decided to stay in a campsite near the Loire châteaux? If so, you’ll be able enjoy some of the many available tours of the Loire Valley estates.

After you’ve enjoyed the delights of the great outdoors, it’s time to explore some of Tours’ heritage treasures. The visit starts at the foot of Saint-Gatien cathedral, the symbol of the city. Take time to really appreciate the building’s Gothic architecture before then heading to the town hall, a building with beautiful façades, gardens and fountains - the ideal place for a relaxing break. Shopping enthusiasts and history buffs will both enjoy Rue Nationale, an impressively-sized, main thoroughfare which was partially destroyed during the war, and which offers a lovely view of the Loire. Then surrender to the Tours tradition and take a seat on the terraces in the famous place Plumereau...

Did you know? Tours is a member of a very elite club: it is one of the international cities of gastronomy. It won’t take you long to realize that the city well deserves such an accolade... In the market, try some Sainte-Maure de Touraine, a delicate goat’s cheese with a distinctive flavour. You can also opt for some freshwater fish, caught in the Loire, between Saumur and Tours: bream, mullet, catfish, shad or chub. Unless you prefer to try some rillettes de Tours (salted, shredded pork) to enjoy with a nice slice of bread. Or why not treat yourself to some “fouée tourangelle,” bread rolls filled with cheese or rillettes.