That’s it—summer is in full swing! It’s the perfect time to explore Touraine on your own or with friends and family and soak up some culture and festivities! To help you plan, the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office has put together a selection of outings and activities you won’t want to miss this July.
Guided tour of Old Tours
Haven’t you got to know Tours yet, or, on the contrary, do you still want to be constantly surprised by your city? Get a Tours City Pass and explore Tours’ museums, enjoy a guided tour of the city, a ride on the Petit Train, visits to the châteaux of Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau, and even bike rentals with the 48-hour and 72-hour passes.
3 exhibitions included in the Passes that you won’t want to miss in July:
Au Féminin at the Musée du Compagnonnage: an exceptional exhibition tracing the arrival of gender diversity in a world long reserved for men.
Laïla Hida – La nuit américaine at the Château de Tours: an exhibition in partnership with the famous Jeu de Paume in Paris, which explores the mechanisms behind the creation of contemporary myths.
L'idée des corps célestes at the CCC OD (starting July 10): a group exhibition that examines Alexander Calder’s influence on contemporary art. A prelude by the art center ahead of the exhibition of Calder’s works on October 16.
Karen Knorr Lives from Castle to Castle at the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau: A retrospective of more than forty years of work by German photographer Karen Knorr. Poetic, contemporary, and always socially engaged works.
Are you more of a foodie? The self-guided food tour is perfect for you!
Want to discover places off the beaten path? Join us on Wednesday, July 8, for a guided tour of Saint-Gatien Cathedral and its stained-glass windows, or on Fridays, July 10 and 24, to (re)discover Tours after dark with the night time guided tour.
This summer, hop on your bike and explore the region!
Do you love hitting the road with the wind in your hair? Whether you’re traveling for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days, the Loire à Vélo Pass is your best friend for simplifying your stay and enjoying all the cultural treasures along the route. Bike rentals, castle and museum tours, lunches, snacks, tastings, bike tour packages… and many other benefits are included! Find route ideas to help you plan your adventure in our article “Traveling with the Loire à Vélo Pass.”
Prefer a shorter ride that’s just as refreshing? During summer vacation, the Tourist Office offers guided themed bike tours (lasting 1.5 to 4 hours) open to everyone, in partnership with Accueil Vélo Rando.
In July, discover Tours through the lens of street art or on a night time tour.

Duration: 3 days - Price: €135
Ideal for a day-long loop starting from one of the four ‘stopover towns’: Tours, Amboise, Blois and Orléans. On the itinerary: castles, gardens, open-air cafés, vineyards, listed villages and much more!
With over 60 offers included, the Loire à Vélo Pass lets you discover the treasures along the route between Tours and Orléans at your own pace and with ease.
Plan your itinerary and make the most of the offers and numerous benefits of this 2-day Pass!
> Find all the Pass offers, practical information and suggested itineraries here.
This Pass includes offers from the following partners:

Duration: 5 days - Price: €205
Ideal for a day-long loop starting from one of the four ‘stopover towns’: Tours, Amboise, Blois and Orléans. On the itinerary: castles, gardens, open-air cafés, vineyards, listed villages and much more!
With over 60 offers included, the Loire à Vélo Pass lets you discover the treasures along the route between Tours and Orléans at your own pace and with ease.
Plan your itinerary and make the most of the offers and numerous benefits of this 5-day Pass!
> Find all the Pass offers, practical information and suggested itineraries here.
This Pass includes offers from the following partners:
Chenonceau Castle
The internationally renowned châteaux of the Loire Valley are a source of pride for the people of Tours! A visit to Tours is the perfect opportunity to experience life in a château for a day. Tickets available online offer special rates.
Boat Tour with Aperitif by Boutavant
Set sail to discover the world of riverboats, their history, and their unique atmosphere. Day trips and sunset cruises on traditional boats are available along the Loire and Cher rivers—the choice is yours. For the more adventurous, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding are also on the agenda!
Wine tasting at Château de Minière
Nestled in the heart of France’s third-largest wine-growing region, with over 80 AOCs and 800 km of wine routes, Touraine clearly has some superb wine tourism experiences in store for you!
Visit the Tours Tourist Office from Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 6.30pm, and on Sundays, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 5pm, or call 02 47 70 37 37.




