Car Rental Tours

Situated in the heart of the stunning Loire Valley region, Tours brims with personality. Explore it all with a rental car to see the fascinating sights and rolling hills that characterize this picturesque city.

Tours is a major destination along the Loire Valley, so you can expect wide roads and clear signage, making driving throughout Tours relatively easy. Parking in the city can be a bit of a challenge in the busier months, but there are plenty of lots available in and around the city center, giving you fantastic access to the many attractions Tours has to offer.

To visit the historical monuments and the wide range of topical museums that pepper the city, you’ll need to drive south along the E5 towards the Loire River. Here, you can experience the city’s 11^th-century castle, the typography museum (Musée de la Typographie) and the Tours American Monument, which commemorates the lives of 650,000 men who served in the Services of Supply in World War I.

In the west of the city, you’ll find the 19^th-century botanical garden – just a 20-minute drive from our pick-up location at the train station, following the Louis XI Boulevard, which flows adjacent to the Cher River. Relax in the tropical greenhouse, explore the zoo and find peace in the floral gardens.

If you’re up for a big road trip, you can travel the length of the Loire Valley. Take the scenic route to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins and Saint-Nazaire on the coast, before coming back to Tours and on to Orléans. Marvel at the changing color of the woodland trees along the A11 until you reach the medieval city of Angers. Follow the Loire’s curve along the A85, which branches into the A10 past Tours and onto the capital of the region, Orleans.

In France, as in the rest of mainland Europe, you’ll drive on the right. The speed limit in town, cities and villages is generally 50km/h (30mph), increasing to 90km/h (55km/h) outside. It’s set at 110km/h (68mph) on divided highways and 130km/h (80mph) on the main, usually tolled highways, known as autoroutes.

Embrace the rare beauty of Tours and venture further into the glorious Loire Valley, exploring its intriguing museums, natural beauty and discovering eye-catching architectural wonders by the river.

Enjoy the architectural splendor of Saint Gatianus Cathedral

With its twin bell towers, the Gothic-style Tours cathedral – known as the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours – is hugely impressive. Construction started in 1170, but the cathedral wasn't finished until 1547, revolutionizing the Gothic style over time and bringing a range of different influences together in this fascinating structure.

Its intricate façade features sharp floral details, spooky gargoyles and eye-catching Renaissance patterns, making St Gatianus cathedral a true masterpiece and a vision of architectural excellence.

Inside, a checkerboard floor stretches out through the narrow cathedral, past the stone arched aisles into the apse, where a regal chandelier hangs. Be dazzled by the shimmering 13^th-century stained glass windows contrasting against the grand baroque organ that sits below it.

Discover ancient art and history

Step back in time through Tours’ fantastic array of museums and galleries. Take a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts – Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours – in the stunning 18^th-century archbishop’s palace.

Check out the lavish interior of the gold-trimmed state rooms, while paintings telling tales of the past line the walls. Sculptures stretch along the hallways, each with a little dash of history woven into its artistry. Marvel over famous masterpieces from world-renowned artists such as Rembrandt.

The intriguing Compagnonnage museum, set on the banks for the River Loire, is all about France’s trade guilds, where you can follow them from the Middle Ages through to the 20^th century.

The museum celebrates a handful of professions and crafts, from carpentry to cobblery. The collection of archived documents, stories, artifacts and emblems led to Compagnonnage being added to UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Wine and dine in style

Among the many things Tours does well is cuisine, and lovers of the good life will feel wonderfully at home here. Fine food runs through the heart of Tours, influencing much of what you’ll see on any visit to the city.

There are a number of street markets throughout the week. Les Halles is perhaps the most famous, where you can wander to your heart’s content and pick up delectable treats.

Your senses will appreciate the tempting aromas of fresh bread, and the wide selection of cheeses, meats and wines, not to mention offerings from artisan chocolatiers. It’s the perfect place to pick up some provisions for a picnic by the river

Experience the beauty of the Loire Valley

One of the best ways to see the beauty of this region is to travel along the famous Loire Valley route. Tours is known for being the launchpad to the rest of the region, where lush, rolling hills are speckled with aristocratic chateaux.

The UNESCO World Heritage Loire Valley region stretches from the coast to Orleans. It’s made up of ancient woodland, three natural parks, vineyards and babbling brooks.

There are plenty of unforgettable sights to see along the way, such as the Château de Chenonceau, which is the most photographed chateau in the region. Park up and explore this charming 16^th-century setting on foot, just a 40-minute drive from Tours.

Walk through the lavishly dressed rooms into the quaint chapel and on to the balcony to view the flourishing gardens below. Stroll around the grounds to see the pristine reflection of the bright-stoned chateau on the River Cher. 

Take the trip of a lifetime when you rent a car from Tours in central France. Browse our wide range of cars online now.