Top 6 museums to visit in Tours and its surroundings
Casper Moller, CC BY 2.0
Between historical heritage, art collections, and artisanal treasures, the museums of Tours and its surroundings reveal the rich cultural heritage of the Touraine region.
From permanent collections to exceptional sites, the city offers a captivating experience for all those curious about history and art.
Located near the cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts of Tours houses an exceptional collection of paintings, sculptures, and furniture from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
Admire works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Delacroix, and Monet. Outside, a beautiful wooded park and a majestic Lebanese cedar complete the visit.
📍Address: 18 Place François-Sicard, 37000 Tours
Housed in the former Saint-Julien Abbey, the Museum of the Guilds presents exceptional collections that bear witness to the traditions of the Guilds, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. 19th-century masterpieces, tools, and archives trace the history of this unique know-how, from its origins to the present day.
📍Address: 8 Rue Nationale, 37000 Tours
This contemporary art center exhibits international artists and promotes current creation in all its forms: painting, sculpture, and installations. Your visit to the CCCOD will introduce you to modern architecture by Aires Mateus, as well as a bookstore dedicated to modern art.
📍Address: Jardin François 1er, 37000 Tours
The Natural History Museum of Tours offers a collection of taxidermied animal specimens and minerals, a vivarium, a library, and scientific exhibitions.
An ideal place to discover the biodiversity during a family outing.
📍Address: 3 Rue du Président-Merville, 37000 Tours
Built in the Middle Ages in the heart of Tours, the Château de Tours has been transformed into a dynamic cultural center open to contemporary creation. Its diverse program features painting, sculpture, video, installations, and photography, including two annual exhibitions in partnership with the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris.
Between architectural heritage and contemporary art, it's a must-see for art lovers.
📍Address: 25 avenue André Malraux, 37000 Tours
Just a few kilometers from Tours, the Saint-Cosme Priory, home of the poet Ronsard, invites you to discover its magnificent gardens, medieval remains, and exhibition hall.
The site offers self-guided or guided tours and regularly hosts cultural events: concerts, workshops, and activities for all ages.
📍Address: Rue Ronsard, 37520 La Riche
Stay at the Best Western Plus L’Artist, ideally located just a few minutes' walk from Tours train station and the historic city center.
Enjoy a quiet and central location to discover the city's cultural treasures.
Sleep in one of our comfortable, bright, and fully equipped rooms.
Start each day with a delicious buffet breakfast featuring fresh and varied products, served in a welcoming dining room.
The hotel also offers several amenities, including a fitness center, a lounge bar, and private parking.
🌟Our hotel offers other tours, activities, and excursions to enhance your stay.
From permanent collections to exceptional sites, the city offers a captivating experience for all those curious about history and art.
🎨1. Museum of Fine Arts of Tours: a masterpiece of heritage
Located near the cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts of Tours houses an exceptional collection of paintings, sculptures, and furniture from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
Admire works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Delacroix, and Monet. Outside, a beautiful wooded park and a majestic Lebanese cedar complete the visit.
📍Address: 18 Place François-Sicard, 37000 Tours
🛠️2. Museum of the Guilds: Traditions and Know-How
Housed in the former Saint-Julien Abbey, the Museum of the Guilds presents exceptional collections that bear witness to the traditions of the Guilds, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. 19th-century masterpieces, tools, and archives trace the history of this unique know-how, from its origins to the present day.
📍Address: 8 Rue Nationale, 37000 Tours
🧑🎨3. Olivier Debré Center for Contemporary Creation (CCCOD): Artistic Modernity
This contemporary art center exhibits international artists and promotes current creation in all its forms: painting, sculpture, and installations. Your visit to the CCCOD will introduce you to modern architecture by Aires Mateus, as well as a bookstore dedicated to modern art.
📍Address: Jardin François 1er, 37000 Tours
🦉4. Natural History Museum: a family outing
The Natural History Museum of Tours offers a collection of taxidermied animal specimens and minerals, a vivarium, a library, and scientific exhibitions.
An ideal place to discover the biodiversity during a family outing.
📍Address: 3 Rue du Président-Merville, 37000 Tours
🏰5. Château de Tours: history and contemporary exhibitions
Built in the Middle Ages in the heart of Tours, the Château de Tours has been transformed into a dynamic cultural center open to contemporary creation. Its diverse program features painting, sculpture, video, installations, and photography, including two annual exhibitions in partnership with the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris.
Between architectural heritage and contemporary art, it's a must-see for art lovers.
📍Address: 25 avenue André Malraux, 37000 Tours
🪶6. Saint-Cosme Priory
Just a few kilometers from Tours, the Saint-Cosme Priory, home of the poet Ronsard, invites you to discover its magnificent gardens, medieval remains, and exhibition hall.
The site offers self-guided or guided tours and regularly hosts cultural events: concerts, workshops, and activities for all ages.
📍Address: Rue Ronsard, 37520 La Riche
Stay at our hotel in Tours
Stay at the Best Western Plus L’Artist, ideally located just a few minutes' walk from Tours train station and the historic city center.
Enjoy a quiet and central location to discover the city's cultural treasures.
Sleep in one of our comfortable, bright, and fully equipped rooms.
Start each day with a delicious buffet breakfast featuring fresh and varied products, served in a welcoming dining room.
The hotel also offers several amenities, including a fitness center, a lounge bar, and private parking.
🌟Our hotel offers other tours, activities, and excursions to enhance your stay.
