Tours is a fantastic city of history and culture. Beyond its charming centre, hidden behind the Cher, Indre and Loire rivers, lies a more rural and less tumultuous history.

In this Collection, you’ll leave the city behind on five 30-kilometre (18.6 mi) routes. Trails criss-cross the countryside and explore peaceful places away from the hustle and bustle of main roads. The villages of Luynes, Vernou-sur-Brenne, Véretz, Villandry and Montbazon lie en route. Between the rivers, magnificent châteaux rise, whilst vineyards cover the hillsides. In the valleys, ancient aqueducts remind us of the richness of the past.

These routes offer plenty of amenities. You'll find terraces along the way where you can tuck into a delicious dish of rillons (pork belly browned and preserved in fat) accompanied by a glass of Vouvray or Montlouis wine and Saint-Maure cheese. Given the distances, I'd suggest spending the night in a town en route, unless you want to cover up to 50 kilometres (30 mi) in a day.

Each hike starts from Tours station. You’ll find lots of accommodation in the town to suit any budget. Check out The People Hostel on Avenue de Grammont, which has rooms for as little as €40 per night. You can easily get to Tours by train from Paris; the high-speed train takes one hour.

You can visit Tours and the surrounding area at any time of year. Summer is the season of pleasant weather, remarkable sunsets and guinguettes – festive outdoor restaurants along the riverbanks. If you enjoy photography, autumn offers a spectacular palette of warm colours.

Enjoy your walks!


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If you prefer smaller routes in the heart of Tours, check out my Collection on this subject: komoot.com/collection/2485396.