Tours, France: Other Sights and Attractions
Typical homes in Tours' city center.
St. Martin Museum
The museum dedicated to Tours' most famous resident depicts the main events in his life, the history of the museum site and the various buildings erected here since the first tomb was laid. Open 9:30-12:30 and 2:00 - 5:30 every day except Monday and Tuesday. Closed May 1, July 14, and from mid-November to mid-March.
Musee des Beaux Arts (Fine Arts Museum)
Formerly the Archbishop's Palace (17th and 18th c.). Fine pieces of furniture and considerable collection of French and foreign paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Mantegna (ISth c.) (photo J), Rubens, Rembrandt (17th c.), Boucher (18th c.), Delacroix, Degas (19th c.). Open year-round, 9:00-12:45 and 2-6 every day except Tuesdays, January 1, May 1, July 14, November 11 and December 25.
Hotel Gouin (Touraine Archeological and Historical Museum)
The Touraine Archeological Society's collection is displayed in a 16th-century building, and includes prehistory, Gallo-Roman and medieval archeology, medieval, Renaissance, and 17th and 18th century arts. The building itself is the most beautiful example of Renaissance domestic architecture in Tours. From October 1 to March 31, open every day from 9:30 to 12:30 and 2:00 to 5:30. From April 1 to September 30, open every day from 9:30 to 12:30 and 1:15 to 6:30. Closed on December 25 and January 1.
Ancient Roman ruins
Tours has been a city since Roman times, and some evidence of Roman Tours still remains.
- Part of the wall of the Lower Empire castrum near what is now the "rue du Petit Cupidon".
- The Lower Empire town gate onto the Loire.
- Below the royal chateau, remains of the baths of a private dwelling
- A Gallo-Roman tower, part of the original fortifications (courtyard of the Musée des Beaux Arts).
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