Orientation

Much of Tours was destroyed during WWII and has since been left to decay; only the vieille-ville really represents the former glory of the town. Luckily, this is where most of the action lies, especially for students and younger crowds. Place Jean Jaurès, recognizable by its two grand fountains, marks the center of the city, with the Hôtel de Ville positioned right in the middle of it. Boulevard Heurteloup runs east toward the train station, while boulevard Bérlanger runs west away from the center. The main shopping street, rue Nationale, runs north toward the banks of the Loire. Avenue de Grammont heads south toward the Cher River. The majority of Tours’s bars and restaurants are at place Plumereau, which is a 10min. walk from pl. Jean Jaurès.