Gone are the days when street art was only found under bridges or on the façades of abandoned buildings. Immense frescos, stencils or mosaics, graffiti artists - sometimes internationally known - have invested in the city of Tours. Discover some of these works of art on a colourful urban adventure!
Street art, follow the tour!
Guided tours to discover street art in Tours and the surrounding areas are offered each year by the Tourist Office of Tours Loire Valley. An interlude accompanied by expert guides to learn more about urban art and the anecdotes surrounding it.
A stop at the Passage du Pèlerin
At the foot of the Tour Charlemagne, the walls of the passageway showcase pop-up street art works, replaced every two months. The initiative is led by the Tours branch of the M.U.R. (Modular, Urban and reactive) association.
Open-air artistic line-up with artists from all backgrounds, including Mr. Dheo, Madame, Dawal and Monkey Bird. What’s special about this initiative? It’s a “wall of free expression”, artists are given free rein and surprises are in store at each inauguration!
In the enclosure of the Les Beaumonts barracks
Several hundred metres long, the enclosure of the former Beaumont-Chauveau military barracks has been transformed thanks to the work of graffiti artists and amateurs who have adorned it with a thousand colours. It is also here where the first third-place of Tours is located: Les Beaumonts. This former military hall, with 1,500 sq. m. of space, hosts local and charity events, ecological and artistic happenings organised by residents. Exhibitions, concerts, dance classes, reading clubs, meetings... Open programming where everyone can discover or help build a project!
On the Ile Aucard
Between concrete and unspoiled Loire, under the Mirabeau bridge, street artists are given free rein to brighten up the landscape!
Gambetta car park
Ten or so French and Belgian artists have transformed this underground car park into an urban art gallery. On the ramps, near the lifts, on the ground and on the pillars, figurative forms and realist drawings adorn all four levels.
Îlot Vinci
At the exit from the Tours train station, 140 sq. m of frescos adorn the wall. Commissioned by the city in collaboration with Robert (Bob) Jeudy, Vice-President of the M.U.R Oberkampf association, and specialist in French urban art. These coloured paintings immerse you in the dreamlike world of street artist Brusk, or inspired by Drope’s cartoons.
Everywhere!
The famous “filles du vent” by Gil KD, the mosaics illustrating the street names of MifaMosa, the quirky paintings by Bongo and the poetic works of Mr Plume... art is on every street corner! So that you don’t miss any work of art, join the Facebook group "Street art Tours City" which keeps track of new works of art and provides an interactive map.