Eurostar to Tours

Tours is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a destination in France that’s not too far away. It’s under an hour away from Paris, and is one of the connection destinations available on the Eurostar, so it’s never been easier to get to. It is known by visitors and locals alike as the garden of France, as it is lush and green and in close proximity to the Loire Valley, which is filled with old vineyards and rolling fields. Not only is the town incredibly beautiful and picturesque, it has a rich history, as it dates back to medieval times. So for the holiday destination that has it all, give Tours a try.

About Tours

The centre of Tours, which is medieval through and through, can be reached if you cross the Pont Wilson Bridge. At night, the bridge is lit up by lights, creating a positively magical atmosphere. Head straight to place Plume for the hustle and bustle of the town. This square is one of the busiest, and is definitely the place to be seen. It is filled with galleries, cafes, and bistros, as well as some excellent boutiques.

One of the most imposing buildings in all of Tours is the Cathedral of Saint-Gatien, right in the town’s centre. It used to be the destination of many a Europeans’ pilgrimage. Joan of Arc and the many of the kings of France have visited this gorgeous historical site, so don’t be left out!

A great place to while away an afternoon is the Museum of Fine Arts. It houses a number of incredible paintings by famous artists such as Degas, Rembrandt, and Rubens. Another excellent tourist attraction in the area is the Wine Museum, which can be found in Touraine. Sample the local produce from the sixty-nine vineyards in the area, including Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, Vouvray, or Cabernet de Saumur to name but a few!

It’s also advisable to take a trip to a few of the historical chateaux during your stay. The architecture and gardens of the local houses are incredible, and are crucial to France’s national heritage. Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and Château d'Amboise are particularly impressive, but the Sleeping Beauty’s Castle (officially the Château d'Ussé) is really quite a sight for anyone who dreamed of being a princess when they were a little girl! If you don’t have time to see all of the chateaux, take a stroll around the Mini-châteaux Park in Amboise. Here you’ll see models of many of the local chateaux.

Tours by Eurostar Trains

If Tours sounds like the right place to enjoy during your trip to France, remember that you can easily get to Tours on one of the Eurostar’s connection services. Eurostar trains depart from St Pancras International, a very easy-to-get-to destination in London. Your simplest option of connection services is to change Paris Gare du Nord, and take a taxi or get on the metro to catch a connection train from Gare de Montparnasse. From there, there are a number of TGV services going directly to Tours. All in all, if you travel from London, you can expect the journey time to be about four hours.

Visit the official Eurostar web site to book your train tickets to Tours.