Guided tours

Duration:  1h30 - Price: from €12 A guided tour of the landscape and monumental dimensions of Marmoutier Abbey and a discovery of the archaeological remains. Surrounded by a cliff, in a meander of the Loire, the site of Marmoutier stands out for its tranquillity and picturesque character. It was on this site, occupied since ancient times, that Saint Martin founded a small hermitage in the 4th century, which rapidly developed into a prestigious abbey of considerable influence. Restored and maintained until the French Revolution, the abbey was partly demolished in the 19th century. Since 1981, the City of Tours has owned the hillside and adjoining land where most of the old buildings that have survived are located. Every summer, the site hosts a programmed archaeological dig, which you can discover on this tour. This tour has been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label.

Duration: 2h - Price: from 7€ From the founding of Tours in the 1st century to the flourishing of the Renaissance, discover the city through the key dates in its history under the guidance of a tour guide. The city of Tours was founded in the 1st century on the left bank of the Loire. In the Middle Ages, two distinct areas developed: one built around the Cathedral, the other around a huge collegiate church dedicated to Saint Martin, the Châteauneuf area, also known as Old Tours. Tours was the royal capital from 1440 to 1520, and at the end of the Middle Ages and beginning of the Renaissance, almost all of the city's residences were rebuilt. From this flourishing period, the town inherited a homogeneous collection of old houses and religious buildings, which you can discover on this tour. This tour has been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label.

Duration: 1h30 - Price: from €7 Discover Saint Gatien Cathedral, its district and its stained glass windows with a tour guide. The Saint-Gatien district is one of the oldest and most characteristic in Tours. It was the seat of Caesarodunum in the 1st century AD, and became a Roman capital before becoming a religious centre under the authority of the bishops and then the archbishops. This part of the city has preserved some ancient architectural features that reveal the urban development of Tours. This guided tour provides an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Cathedral and its stained glass windows, which were first restored by Lucien-Ernest Fournier's workshop in Tours before the Second World War and then twice in the 1990s and 2000s. This tour has been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label.

Duration: 1.5 hours - Price: starting at €7 This guided tour takes you on a journey through the history of Tours’ brothels. Closed in 1946, these brothels continue to intrigue and spark curiosity; this guided tour offers a chance to explore their history, particularly that of the Étoile Bleue. The last remaining building, featuring exceptional decor, it is now the headquarters of the Jeune Chambre Economique de Tours. The Art Deco mosaics and frescoes that can still be seen there are well worth a visit! Closed in 1946, brothels continue to intrigue and spark curiosity. This tour is certified by the City of Art and History program.