Tours is a city in the centre region of France and has extensive parkland which you can visit. It has a stunning mixture of medieval architecture and cutting edge modernity; Tours Cathedral contrasts wonderfully with the urban cool of Rue Nationale, where you'll find designer outlets and snazzy boutiques. Tours is a prestigious city with an array of prestigious citizenry - Honoré de Balzac, the famous novelist, was born here. Car hire from Tours can take you to Orléans or Angers which both take around one hour 15 minutes to reach.
Tours Cathedral is a marvel of Gothic design which is not to be missed, but attractions like the Musée du Compagnonnage are well worth a look too. The Rue Nationale is one of central France's most renowned shopping streets which is also a must-see, but when you need a break from the city head for one of Tours' many parks; the Jardin Botanique de Tours is the most popular. Also recommended is the peaceful Priory of Saint-Cosme. Rent a car from Tours and the enchanting Châteaux of the Loire Valley beckon. The stunning Château Villandry is a short drive west on the D7.