Tours facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tours
Prefecture and commune
Montage of Tours views and sights
Flag Coat of arms
Tours Location in France Show map of France Tours Location in Centre-Val de Loire Show map of Centre-Val de Loire
Country	France
Region	Centre-Val de Loire
Department	Indre-et-Loire
Arrondissement	Tours
Canton	Tours-1 Tours-2 Tours-3 Tours-4
Intercommunality	Tours Métropole Val de Loire
Area 1	34.7 km2 (13.4 sq mi)
• Urban  (2018)	684.9 km2 (264.4 sq mi)
• Metro  (2018)	3,631.6 km2 (1,402.2 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	137,658
• Rank	26th in France
• Density	3,967/km2 (10,275/sq mi)
• Urban  (2018)	359,992
• Urban density	525.61/km2 (1,361.33/sq mi)
• Metro  (2018)	516,973
• Metro density	142.3541/km2 (368.695/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Tourangeau (masculine) Tourangelle (feminine)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	37261 /37000, 37100, 37200
Elevation	44–119 m (144–390 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Tours (/tʊər/ toor, French: [tuʁ]) is a large city in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. It is the main city, or prefecture, of the Indre-et-Loire department. In 2018, about 136,463 people lived in Tours. The wider area, including nearby towns, had a population of 516,973.

Tours is located on the Loire River, between Orléans and the Atlantic Ocean. Long ago, the Roman Emperor Augustus founded the city and called it Caesarodunum. It has one of the biggest Roman amphitheaters from that time. Tours is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 AD, a very important battle in history. Many famous people, like Saint Martin and Gregory of Tours, came from Tours.

Tours was once part of a region called Touraine. It was the first city in France to start a silk industry. King Louis XI made Tours a royal capital. The city was partly destroyed during the French Wars of Religion and again in World War II.

Today, Tours is known as the "White and Blue city" because of its buildings. Its historic center, called Vieux-Tours, is a special heritage site. The city is also called "Le Petit Paris" (Little Paris) because of its history and culture. Tours is a university city with many students. It is also known for its delicious food, like rillettes, local wines, and Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine cheese. The city is the finish line for the yearly Paris–Tours bike race.

History of Tours

Early Beginnings

Long ago, Tours was an important place to cross the Loire River. It became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD. The Romans named it Caesarodunum, meaning "hill of Caesar." Later, in the 4th century, its name changed to Civitas Turonum, and then simply Tours. This was when the large Tours Amphitheatre was built.

Around 380–388 AD, Tours became a major city in the Roman province of Lugdunum. It was an important center for Maine, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. Saint Martin, a bishop who famously shared his coat with a beggar, was a key figure. His importance made Tours a major stop for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela during the Middle Ages.

Middle Ages Events

In the 6th century, Gregory of Tours helped rebuild a cathedral that had been destroyed by fire. The monastery of Saint Martin became very powerful with the support of Clovis I, the Frankish king. In the 9th century, Tours was a center for learning and art, thanks to Alcuin, a famous scholar and abbot.

In 732, a large army of Muslim horsemen from Al-Andalus (Spain) moved deep into France. They were stopped near Poitiers by Charles Martel and his army. This battle, known as the Battle of Tours, was a major victory. It prevented an Islamic conquest of France and helped shape the future of Europe.

In 845, Tours fought off an attack by Vikings. But in 852, the Vikings returned and attacked Angers, Tours, and Marmoutier Abbey.

During the Middle Ages, Tours had two main parts. The "City" in the east had the cathedral and the castle. The "new city" in the west grew around the Abbey of Saint Martin. This western part became the main business center. These two parts eventually joined together in the 14th century.

Place Plumereau, with medieval buildings.

Tours became the capital of the region called Touraine. King Louis XI made Tours the capital of France. The kings and their court lived in Tours and Touraine until the 16th century. This period saw the building of many beautiful private homes and castles, known as the Châteaux of the Loire. King Louis XI also brought the silk industry to Tours, which still exists today.

From the 16th to 20th Centuries

In the 16th century, King Charles IX visited Tours. During the French Wars of Religion, Protestants in Tours were protected by the city leaders. This prevented a massacre like the one in Saint-Barthelemy. When the French court moved back to Paris, Tours slowly became less important.

The arrival of the railway in the 19th century helped Tours grow again. It became an important travel hub. The city expanded south into a new area called Prébendes. By the 20th century, Tours was a busy city focused on services and business.

First World War Impact

Tours Cathedral: A beautiful church with a mix of old and new styles.

During the First World War, Tours was greatly affected. In 1917, 25,000 American soldiers arrived. They set up factories to make uniforms and repair military equipment. Tours became a military town. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge, named after the US President, was opened in 1918 to remember the American presence. American air force squadrons were also based nearby.

Between the Wars

In 1920, a big meeting called the Congress of Tours took place. This led to the creation of the French Communist Party. Ho Chi Minh, who later became a leader in Vietnam, was one of the first members of this party.

Second World War Destruction

Tours suffered a lot during the Second World War. From June 10 to 13, 1940, Tours was the temporary seat of the French government. German bombs caused a huge fire that destroyed much of the city center. Many historic buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries were lost. The Wilson Bridge was blown up to slow the German army. This also cut off the city's water supply, making it impossible to put out the fires. In 1944, Allied air raids caused more damage and deaths around the railway station.

Rebuilding and Modern Tours

After the war, the city was rebuilt. An architect named Camille Lefèvre planned new buildings for the central area. Later, Pierre Patout took over the rebuilding.

Jean Royer, who was mayor for 36 years, helped save the old town from being torn down. He created one of the first "Conservation Areas" to protect historic places. This idea later inspired a law to save historic city centers across France. In the 1970s, he also expanded the city by changing the course of the Cher River. This created new neighborhoods. In 1970, the François Rabelais University was founded in the city center.

Jean Germain became mayor in 1995. He focused on reducing the city's debt. His time as mayor was known for improving the quality of life, restoring old buildings, and developing public transport and cultural activities.

Climate in Tours

Tours has a mild oceanic climate. Summers are often warm, with many days reaching 25°C (77°F) or more. Winters are mild because of air coming from the Atlantic Ocean. The Loire Valley is known for its clear air and beautiful castles.

Famous Sights in Tours

Hôtel de Ville, the city hall, in Place Jean Jaurès.

St Gatien Cathedral, a beautiful old church.

Pont Wilson, one of Tours' many bridges.

Tours Cathedral

The Tours Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Gatien, is a stunning church. It was started around 1170 after an older cathedral burned down. The lower parts of the western towers are from the 12th century. The rest of the front, with its detailed designs, was finished in the 15th century. This was around the same time that many famous châteaux (castles) in Touraine were being built.

The famous artist Jean Fouquet used the nearly finished Tours Cathedral as a model for his painting of Solomon's Temple. The cathedral and its surroundings are also featured in novels by Honoré de Balzac.

Other Interesting Places

• The Hôtel de Ville is the city hall.
• The Jardin botanique de Tours is the city's beautiful botanical garden.
• The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours is an art museum.
• The Hôtel Goüin is a historic mansion.
• The Château de Tours is a castle in the city.
• The Basilique St-Martin is a famous church.
• Place Plumereau is a lively square in the old town. It has many restaurants and cafes.
• The Grand Théâtre is where the Opéra de Tours performs.
• The Tour Charlemagne is an old tower.

Language and Culture

Before the French Revolution, people in Tours were known for speaking the "purest" French. This was because the French court lived in Touraine from 1430 to 1530. So, the French spoken in Tours became the official language of the whole kingdom.

In 813, a meeting in Tours decided that priests should preach in different languages. This was because common people could no longer understand classical Latin. This is seen as the first official recognition of an early French language, separate from Latin.

Later, several laws were made in or near Tours to promote the use of French. For example, in 1539, King Francis I signed a law. It made it mandatory to use French in all legal documents and official papers. This helped avoid confusion and made French the main language.

The City's Look

Pont Wilson crosses the Loire River in the heart of Tours.

Tours is often called "Le Jardin de la France" (The Garden of France). It has many parks. The city is located between two rivers: the Loire to the north and the Cher to the south. The buildings in Tours are usually white with blue slate roofs. This style is common in northern France.

Tours is famous for its old medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. This area has well-preserved half-timbered buildings. La Place Plumereau is a popular square there, full of pubs and restaurants. The Boulevard Beranger crosses the Rue Nationale at Place Jean-Jaurès. This is where weekly markets and fairs are held.

Tours is also known for its many bridges over the Loire River. The Wilson Bridge, a very important one, collapsed in 1978 but was rebuilt.

In the garden of the old Palais des Archevêques (now the Art Museum), there is a huge cedar tree. People say Napoleon planted it. The garden also has a stuffed elephant named Fritz. Fritz escaped from a circus in 1902 and had to be shot. But the city honored him by having him preserved.

Tours is home to the University of Tours. It also hosts an important international choir competition called Florilège Vocal de Tours.

Population Growth

The numbers below show how the population of Tours has changed over time. The city has grown by adding nearby towns in 1845 and 1964.

Getting Around Tours

A model of the modern tram in Tours.

Tours is well-connected by train, including the fast TGV trains, and by highways. This makes it a great starting point for tourists visiting the Loire Valley and its royal châteaux (castles).

Tours is on a main TGV line. You can travel to Bordeaux in two and a half hours. From there, the line goes along the Mediterranean coast to Spain and Barcelona. There are also lines to Lyon, Strasbourg, and Lille. It takes less than an hour to get from Tours to Paris by TGV. You can also reach Charles de Gaulle Airport in about an hour and a half. Tours has two main train stations: Gare de Tours (the central station) and Gare de Saint-Pierre-des-Corps.

The Tours Loire Valley Airport connects the area to other European cities.

Historically, Tours had trams and trolleybuses. Tram service returned to the city in 2013 with a new tram system. There is also a bus service. The tram and bus networks share a ticketing system. A second tram line is planned for 2025.

Sports in Tours

Tours has a football (soccer) team called Tours FC. They play in a lower division of French football. There is also a second team, CCSP Tours.

Tours is the finish line for the Paris–Tours bike race. This is a famous one-day cycling event held almost every October since 1896.

Tours also has a volleyball club called the Tours VB.

Religious History

Venerable Leo Dupont, known as the Holy Man of Tours.

Tours is a special place for Catholics. It is connected to the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1843, Sister Marie of St Peter in Tours reported a vision. This vision started the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. It was meant to make up for the insults Christ suffered.

The Venerable Leo Dupont, also known as The Holy Man of Tours, lived in Tours around the same time. In 1849, he began the nightly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This practice spread throughout France. He also started burning a lamp continuously before a picture of the Holy Face of Jesus. This devotion was approved by Pope Pius XII in 1958. He declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus for all Roman Catholics. The Oratory of the Holy Face in Tours welcomes many pilgrims each year.

Tours was also where St. Martin of Tours worked as a bishop. The important Battle of Tours in 732 is seen as a key victory. It helped stop invading forces and laid the groundwork for the Carolingian Empire.

Famous People from Tours

Louise de la Vallière, a famous person from the 17th century.

General Régis de Trobriand, from 1865.

Jean Fouquet, a painter from the 1400s.

Philippe Néricault Destouches, a playwright from the 1700s.

A statue of Honoré de Balzac, a famous novelist.

Gabriel Lamé, a mathematician.

Pascal Hervé, a cyclist.

Many notable people were born in or lived in Tours. Here are a few:

• Jean Fouquet (1420–1481), a famous painter.
• Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850), a well-known novelist.
• Gabriel Lamé (1795–1870), a mathematician.
• Marie of St Peter (1816–1848), a mystic nun.
• Régis de Trobriand (1816–1897), an American military officer and writer.
• Jean Royer (1920–2011), a former mayor of Tours and government minister.
• Jacques Villeret (1951–2005), a famous actor.
• Isabelle Geffroy (born 1980), a popular singer known as Zaz.
• Abdou Diallo (born 1996), a professional footballer.

Sister Cities

Tours is twinned with several cities around the world. This means they have special friendly relationships and often share culture and ideas.

Images for kids

• 

  Jardin de la Préfecture (central park).
• 

  Giant Cedar tree.
• 

  Hôtel Goüin.
• 

  Place Plumereau.
• 

  Slate roofs of Tours.
• 

  Looking towards central Tours from the north bank of the Loire, near the Pont Mirabeau.

See also

In Spanish: Tours para niños