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Old Tours and Saint Martin

Begin around Place Plumereau, the heart of Vieux Tours, where timber-framed houses and narrow streets preserve the medieval street pattern. Nearby, the Basilica of Saint Martin marks the site of the saint’s influential shrine; the surviving Charlemagne Tower belonged to the earlier collegiate church. These landmarks connect the old quarter to Tours’ long religious history.

Cathedral and Loire setting

The Cathedral of Saint Gatien is known for its richly sculpted Gothic façade, twin towers and stained glass. Its architecture spans several centuries, making the west front and interior worth viewing slowly. The Loire and Cher rivers shape the wider landscape, while the central streets link cathedral, historic squares and the former royal quarter.