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Car Hire in Tours
Tours
Situated at the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers, Tours makes a great base for exploring the Loire Valley and beyond. Tours is justifiably renowned for its food and wine. Much of the city was bombed during the last war, so unfortunately the chateaux have been replaced with 20th century apartment blocks; however, Tours is a lively city with bustling streets and roadside cafes. The Cathedral St-Gatien has some wonderful stained-glass windows from the 13th century and was built to honour a 3rd-century evangelist. The Musee des Beaux-Arts is set in the Palais des Archeveques, and includes works by Degas, Rembrandt and Delacroix. A tour of the palace's garden is highly recommended. More than 30 markets are held in Tours: take in the Gourmet Market (first Friday of each month); Flower Market (Wednesday and Saturday); the Craft Market (Saturdays, at Place des Halles); and the Antiques Market (Wednesday and Saturday). The covered market, Les Halles et Grand Marche, has a large selection of fresh meat, cheeses and other produce. As a student town, Tours is an ideal place for the younger generation, with several interesting clubs and discos. Place Plumereau, a square of medieval buildings, has a wide selection of bars and restaurants which come to life during the evening. Beyond the city, drive along the bank of the River Cher, where the scenery is most attractive.