Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families

Victoria rainforest tours

Your guide, knowledgeable in all things Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families, will take you off the beaten path to explore bustling markets filled with local artisans and vendors. Sightseeing Victoria This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach; it's tailored to your preferences, ensuring you get a deeply personal experience. First, visit the Star Sightseeing website. Learn more about Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families here Firstly, you'll often enjoy early bird discounts, making the adventure more valuable.
From the moment you reach out, they're focused on making your visit to Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families seamless and special. With packages meticulously designed to showcase the very best of the region, you're not just visiting; you're immersing yourself in the heart of its natural beauty and cultural richness. That's just the beginning.
Your tour with Star Sightseeing doesn't just skim the surface. You'll engage in experiences that reveal the rich tapestry of local traditions, arts, and culinary delights. Lean more about Victoria Private Sightseeing Tours with Star Sightseeing here. It's more than a tour; it's a journey into the heart of Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's wilderness, promising moments of awe and wonder.
They're committed to bringing you an authentic experience, connecting you with local stories, and guiding you to locations that even some locals have yet to discover. Victoria coastline tours Don't miss the chance to snap a picture with the iconic Totem Poles in Thunderbird Park. In essence, these chauffeurs transform a simple sightseeing tour into a personalized journey, tailoring each excursion to your interests and ensuring that every moment in Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families is as enriching as it's effortless.



Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria holiday lights tours

  1. Best tour operators in Victoria
  2. Inner Harbour sightseeing tours
  3. Victoria heritage tours
  4. North Victoria sightseeing tours
  5. Victoria fall foliage tours
  6. Victoria walking tours
  7. Victoria fall sightseeing
  8. Best sightseeing in Victoria
  9. Victoria cultural tours
  10. Victoria festival tours
  11. Butchart Gardens sightseeing tours
  12. Victoria senior-friendly sightseeing
  13. Victoria spring sightseeing
  14. Victoria helicopter tours
  15. Victoria sightseeing itineraries
  16. Victoria tourist attractions
  17. Victoria hop-on hop-off tours
  18. Victoria cultural experience tours
  19. Victoria botanical garden tours

Exploring Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's vibrant art scene and prestigious museums, Star Sightseeing's tours offer you an immersive journey into the heart of the region's cultural heritage.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria multi-day tours

  1. Best places to visit in Victoria
  2. Victoria nature tours
  3. Victoria private tours
  4. Best viewpoints in Victoria
  5. Victoria fishing tours
  6. Victoria boat tours
  7. Victoria Chinatown tours
  8. Victoria road trips
  9. Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  10. Off-the-beaten-path Victoria tours
  11. Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  12. Victoria 4x4 adventure tours
  13. Victoria cherry blossom tours
  14. Victoria paddleboarding tours
  15. Victoria ferry tours
  16. Victoria luxury tours
  17. Victoria history tours
  18. Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
Victoria rainforest tours Welcome to the beginning of a luxurious journey with Star Sightseeing. It's the difference between watching the sunset from a packed park and enjoying it from a private boat, champagne in hand, with no one else around.



Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria urban exploration tours

  1. Victoria botanical garden tours
  2. Best places to visit in Victoria
  3. Victoria nature tours
  4. Victoria private tours
  5. Best viewpoints in Victoria
  6. Victoria fishing tours
  7. Victoria boat tours
  8. Victoria Chinatown tours
  9. Victoria road trips
  10. Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  11. Off-the-beaten-path Victoria tours
  12. Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  13. Victoria 4x4 adventure tours
  14. Victoria cherry blossom tours
  15. Victoria paddleboarding tours
  16. Victoria ferry tours
  17. Victoria luxury tours
Victoria hiking tours

Private Sightseeing Tours Victoria

Known as "the Garden City", Victoria is an attractive city and a popular tourism destination and has a regional technology sector that has risen to be its largest revenue-generating private industry. In 2019, Victoria was in the top 20 world cities for quality of life, according to Numbeo.

Citations and other links

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families Garden Tours

Dive into the heart of history as Star Sightseeing's tours guide you through Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's most iconic landmarks. Winter, though cooler, sparkles with festive lights and offers a unique charm. Your tour doesn't just stick to the beaten path; it reveals the hidden gems often overlooked. The vibrant colors of wildflowers in spring and the rich hues of foliage in autumn provide a visual feast, ensuring that no two visits are ever the same.

We listen carefully to what excites you and tailor your itinerary accordingly, balancing famous attractions with hidden gems that align with your interests. Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's dining scene is a mosaic of tastes, with farm-to-table restaurants, bustling seafood markets, and cozy cafés dotting the cityscape. Your guide, attuned to your interests, brings these narratives to life, connecting you deeply with the past.

Whether you're up for a challenging hike to the Pinnacle, offering breathtaking views of the park, or prefer a leisurely walk to MacKenzie Falls, the largest waterfall in Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families, there's something here for you.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria wildlife tours

  • Victoria history tours
  • Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
  • Romantic tours in Victoria
  • Victoria whale watching
  • Victoria paranormal tours
  • Victoria cruise tours
  • Victoria ghost tours
  • Victoria sunset tours
  • Victoria hiking tours
  • Victoria photography tours
  • Victoria zipline tours
  • Victoria multi-day tours
  • Victoria coastline tours
  • Victoria art tours
  • Victoria underground tours
  • Victoria tour packages
  • Victoria bike tours
  • Victoria night tours
But it's not just about the wine. But it's not just about the well-trodden paths. Victoria travel tips

Finally, no visit to Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families would be complete without experiencing its world-class culinary scene. We've tailored this day trip to ensure you get a comprehensive experience of Phillip Island's unique charm. They can provide personal recommendations and insider tips, ensuring your sightseeing tour is as enriching as it's effortless.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families Garden Tours
Cultural Guided Tours Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families BC

Cultural Guided Tours Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families BC

But it's not just about gold; you'll learn about the Eureka Rebellion, a pivotal event in Australian democracy that unfolded right in Ballarat. This era, starting in the 1850s, transformed Ballarat from a small sheep station to a bustling city with the discovery of gold. This isn't just sightseeing; it's experiencing Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families with all your senses. These tours aren't just about seeing; they're about experiencing the heart and soul of the city. Victoria sightseeing bus

It's not just about where you go, either. From the thrill of discovering secret spots to the comfort of traveling in style, you're not just making memories; you're living Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's magic. You'll stand atop rugged cliffs, gaze out at the vast ocean, and feel the breeze that carries tales from distant shores.

You're not just a tourist; you're an explorer uncovering the hidden jewels of Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria local tour guides

  1. Victoria ghost tours
  2. Victoria sightseeing bus
  3. Victoria sightseeing tickets
  4. Victoria holiday lights tours
  5. Victoria sunset tours
  6. Victoria hiking tours
  7. Victoria photography tours
  8. Victoria zipline tours
  9. Victoria multi-day tours
  10. Victoria coastline tours
  11. Victoria art tours
  12. Victoria underground tours
  13. Victoria tour packages
  14. Victoria bike tours
  15. Victoria night tours
  16. Victoria summer sightseeing
  17. Best tour operators in Victoria
  18. Inner Harbour sightseeing tours
  19. Victoria heritage tours
You'll uncover stories and secrets about Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families that you'd likely miss in a larger group, making your experience genuinely unique. Each car in our fleet is equipped with plush seating, climate control, and ambient lighting, ensuring your travel is as comfortable as it's memorable.

You'll be stepping into secret gardens, hidden alleyways with vibrant street art, and quaint, cozy cafes that only the locals know about. Whether you're a history buff eager to delve into Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's rich past or an outdoor enthusiast looking for adventure, they've got you covered.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria hiking tours

  1. Victoria sightseeing itineraries
  2. Victoria tourist attractions
  3. Victoria hop-on hop-off tours
  4. Victoria cultural experience tours
  5. Victoria botanical garden tours
  6. Best places to visit in Victoria
  7. Victoria nature tours
  8. Victoria private tours
  9. Best viewpoints in Victoria
  10. Victoria fishing tours
  11. Victoria boat tours
  12. Victoria Chinatown tours
  13. Victoria road trips
  14. Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  15. Off-the-beaten-path Victoria tours
The salty sea air, the vibrant colors of the marketplaces, and the serene greens of the countryside-they all blend to create a palette of experiences that are uniquely Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Familiesn.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families City Sightseeing Experiences

Venture into the heart of Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's enchanting countryside, where rolling hills and lush landscapes invite you on an unforgettable journey. Imagine the elegance as you glide past the Fairmont Empress, a true icon of the city's rich heritage. It's a spectacle that turns an ordinary visit into an unforgettable adventure.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria sightseeing deals

  1. Victoria fishing tours
  2. Victoria boat tours
  3. Victoria Chinatown tours
  4. Victoria road trips
  5. Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  6. Off-the-beaten-path Victoria tours
  7. Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  8. Victoria 4x4 adventure tours
  9. Victoria cherry blossom tours
  10. Victoria paddleboarding tours
  11. Victoria ferry tours
  12. Victoria luxury tours
  13. Victoria history tours
  14. Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
  15. Romantic tours in Victoria
  16. Victoria whale watching
  17. Victoria paranormal tours
  18. Victoria cruise tours
After immersing yourself in Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's cultural tapestry through its art, you'll find the region's unique wildlife encounters offer an equally enriching experience. With Star Sightseeing, you're not just seeing the sights; you're uncovering the stories that have shaped Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families into the breathtaking city it's today.

You'll taste delicacies that blend centuries-old recipes with modern twists, offering flavors you won't find anywhere else. This isn't your typical sightseeing tour. Our guides are locals who share insights not just about the sights but also about Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's conservation efforts. But that's not all.

Star Sightseeing understands that luxury is in the details. One tourist mentioned, 'I've traveled widely, but the personalized attention and insider knowledge on this tour made Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families shine in a whole new light for me.'Locals, too, find something special in these tours. Star Sightseeing's recent expansion of its luxury sightseeing tours in Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families might just be the answer you're looking for. It's not just about seeing the sights; it's about experiencing Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families in a way that's beyond the ordinary.

Venture into the heart of The Grampians National Park, where dramatic landscapes and rich Aboriginal heritage intertwine to offer a captivating outdoor adventure. You're not just another face in the crowd; you're the VIP, and your preferences shape the day. You'll receive a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses at the start, transforming your view of Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's landmarks into a vibrant, interactive display of history and culture. Through Star Sightseeing's premium tours, you're invited to turn the pages of this vibrant region, exploring its historical landmarks, majestic natural wonders, and cultural festivities like never before.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families City Sightseeing Experiences
Museum Walks Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families
Museum Walks Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families

Imagine being whisked away in a luxury vehicle, not just to the famous landmarks, but to the secret nooks that only locals know about. It's this depth of experience that transforms your visit into a meaningful exploration of Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's cultural landscape, leaving you with not just memories, but a profound respect and understanding of this unique part of the world. The Eureka Skydeck experience is more than just a view; it's a highlight of what Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families has to offer. Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families, with its hidden treasures and untold stories, awaits you like an unopened book full of mysteries and wonders. Hiking enthusiasts will be in their element, with trails that cater to all levels of fitness.
With Star Sightseeing, you're not just another tourist. By preparing thoroughly, you'll ensure your Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families sightseeing tour is enjoyable and hassle-free. As you journey with Star Sightseeing, you'll find yourself whisked away to vantage points offering panoramic views that stretch beyond the city's skyline into the wild, untamed beauty of nature. You'll taste local delicacies at night markets, feel the energy of the city's nightlife, and hear stories that echo through the cobblestone streets under the moonlight.
Star Sightseeing ensures that these encounters respect the animals' space and contribute to the preservation of their environment. Victoria brewery tours Read more about Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families here Star Sightseeing's tours don't just stop at city landmarks; they take you on a journey into the wild heart of Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families. Adventure seekers won't be disappointed either. Don't forget to keep an eye out for special promotions.
Picture leather seats that cradle you as you move from one marvel to another, panoramic windows that offer unobstructed views of the breathtaking landscape, and onboard amenities that cater to your every whim. Victoria photography tours Now's the time to secure your spot on this exclusive sightseeing tour of Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families, ensuring you don't miss out on an unforgettable journey through the city's cultural and historical wonders. From bustling markets filled with fresh, locally-sourced produce to cozy cafes where baristas know their patrons by name, you'll feel the genuine warmth and hospitality that's characteristic of this region. Star Sightseeing ensures that your exploration isn't just informative but deeply personal.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families Historical Tours

Star Sightseeing also stays up-to-date with local health guidelines, adjusting their practices as needed to ensure your safety. Your guide will take you off the beaten path to hidden beaches and rainforest trails, where you can spot koalas in their natural habitat and listen to the symphony of native birds. Tinted windows offer privacy and a chance to take in the views without the glare of the sun. Winter tours are magical, with a focus on holiday markets, beautifully lit streets, and warm local eateries that offer a respite from the chill. For those of you who can't get enough of the great outdoors, the Nature Escape Tour will take your breath away.
From the moment you're greeted by your professional chauffeur, you'll realize this isn't your average sightseeing tour. Their guides aren't just locals; they're storytellers, weaving the rich tapestry of the city's history, culture, and landmarks into an unforgettable narrative that'll stick with you long after you've returned home. Crafting your unique itinerary begins with identifying the sights and experiences that resonate most with you in Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families. Victoria sunset tours Transitioning from dreaming to doing, you'll find booking your luxurious Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families adventure with Star Sightseeing is a seamless and exciting process.
Securing your spot on a luxury sightseeing tour in Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families in advance offers significant benefits, ensuring you don't miss out on this unparalleled experience. The tour doesn't just show you places; it introduces you to people. They're also introducing a new app that allows you to provide real-time feedback during your tour, ensuring that your experience is as enjoyable and seamless as possible. Dive into Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families's culinary scene, where gourmet experiences promise to delight your taste buds with local flavors and innovative dishes.
You'll receive a confirmation email with all the details you need, including where to meet and what to bring.

Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families - Victoria multi-day tours

  1. Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  2. Victoria 4x4 adventure tours
  3. Victoria cherry blossom tours
  4. Victoria paddleboarding tours
  5. Victoria ferry tours
  6. Victoria luxury tours
  7. Victoria history tours
  8. Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
  9. Romantic tours in Victoria
  10. Victoria whale watching
  11. Victoria paranormal tours
  12. Victoria cruise tours
  13. Victoria ghost tours
  14. Victoria travel tips
  15. Victoria brewery tours
  16. Victoria sightseeing deals
  17. Victoria urban exploration tours
  18. Victoria sightseeing bus
  19. Victoria sightseeing tickets
  20. Victoria holiday lights tours
It's here you'll sip coffee where the locals do, away from the crowded spots. They'll handle the logistics, so all you have to do is soak in the beauty and excitement of your surroundings. Star Sightseeing's tours take you beyond the ordinary, offering a unique chance to explore the rich tapestry of tastes that define this vibrant region.

Explore Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families here
Victoria Sightseeing Tours for Families Historical Tours

 

Tours is located in Centre-Val de Loire
Tours
Tours
 
Tours
Medieval buildings on Place Plumereau
Pont Wilson over the Loire
Prébendes d'Oé garden
Flag of Tours
Coat of arms of Tours
Location of Tours
Map
Tours is located in France
Tours
Tours
 

Coordinates: 47°23′37″N 0°41′21″E / 47.393611°N 0.689167°E / 47.393611; 0.689167CountryFranceRegionCentre-Val de LoireDepartmentIndre-et-LoireArrondissementToursCantonTours-1
Tours-2
Tours-3
Tours-4
IntercommunalityTours Métropole Val de LoireGovernment

 

 • Mayor (2020–2026) Emmanuel Denis[1] (The Greens)

Area
1

34.7 km2 (13.4 sq mi) • Urban

 (2018)

684.9 km2 (264.4 sq mi) • Metro

 (2018)

3,631.6 km2 (1,402.2 sq mi)Population

 (2022)[2]

138,668 • Rank26th in France • Density4,000/km2 (10,000/sq mi) • Urban

 (2018)

359,992 • Urban density530/km2 (1,400/sq mi) • Metro

 (2018)

516,973 • Metro density140/km2 (370/sq mi)Demonym(s)Tourangeau (masculine)
Tourangelle (feminine)Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)INSEE/Postal code

37261 /37000, 37100, 37200

Elevation44–119 m (144–390 ft)1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Tours (/tʊər/ TOOR; French: [tuʁ] ⓘ) is the largest city in the region of Centre-Val de Loire, France. It is the prefecture of the department of Indre-et-Loire. The commune of Tours had 136,463 inhabitants as of 2018 while the population of the whole metropolitan area was 516,973.[3]

Tours sits on the lower reaches of the Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Formerly named Caesarodunum by its founder, Roman Emperor Augustus, it possesses one of the largest amphitheaters of the Roman Empire, the Tours Amphitheatre. Known for the Battle of Tours in 732 AD, it is a National Sanctuary with connections to the Merovingians and the Carolingians, with the Capetians making the kingdom's currency the Livre tournois. Saint Martin and Gregory of Tours were from Tours. Tours was once part of Touraine, a former province of France. Tours was the first city of the silk industry. It was taken by Louis XI, as the royal capital under the Valois Kings with its Loire castles and city of art with the School of Tours. The prefecture was partially destroyed during the French Wars of Religion in the late 16th century and again during the Second World War in June 1940.

The White and Blue city keeps a historical center registered in the UNESCO, and is home to the Vieux-Tours, a patrimonial site. The garden city has a green heritage and an urban landscape strongly influenced by its natural space. The historic city that is nicknamed "Le Petit Paris" and its region by its history and culture has always been a land of birth or host to many personalities, international sporting events, and is a university city with more than 30,000 students in 2019. Tours is a popular culinary city with specialties such as: rillettes, rillons, Touraine vineyards, AOC Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine cheeses and nougats. The city is also the end-point of the annual Paris–Tours cycle race.

Etymology

[edit]

A popular folk etymology of the word "Tours" is that it comes from Turonus, the nephew of Brutus. Turonus died in a war between Corineus and the king of Aquitaine, Goffarius Pictus, provoked by Corineus hunting in the king's forests without permission. It is said that Turonus was buried in Tours and the city is founded around his grave.[4]

History

[edit]

In Gallic times, Tours was an important crossing point over the Loire. It became part of the Roman Empire during the 1st century AD, and the city was named Caesarodunum ("hill of Caesar"). The name evolved in the 4th century when the original Gallic name, Turones, became Civitas Turonum and then Tours. It was at this time that the Tours Amphitheatre was built.

Tours became a metropolis in the Roman province of Lugdunum towards 380–388 AD, dominating Maine, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. One important figure in the city was Saint Martin of Tours, a bishop who shared his coat with a naked beggar in Amiens. The importance of Martin in the medieval Christian West made Tours, and its position on the route of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a major centre during the Middle Ages.

Middle Ages

[edit]

In the 6th century, Gregory of Tours, author of the Ten Books of History, restored a cathedral destroyed by a fire in 561. Saint Martin's monastery benefited from its inception, at the very start of the 6th century from patronage and support from the Frankish king, Clovis I, which increased considerably the influence of the saint, the abbey and the city in Gaul. In the 9th century, Tours was at the heart of the Carolingian Renaissance, in particular because of Alcuin, of York in Northumbria, a renowned book collector and an abbot of Marmoutier Abbey.

In 732, Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi and an army of Muslim horsemen from Al-Andalus advanced 500 kilometres (300 miles) deep into France, and were stopped at Moussais-la-Bataille[5] (between Châtellerault and Poitiers) by Charles Martel and his infantry. This ignited the Battle of Tours. The Muslim army was defeated, preventing an Islamic conquest of France.

In 845, Tours repelled the first attack of the Viking chief Haesten. In 850, the Vikings settled at the mouths of the Seine and the Loire. Still led by Haesten, they went up the Loire again in 852 and sacked Angers, Tours and Marmoutier Abbey.

During the Middle Ages, Tours consisted of two juxtaposed and competing centres. The "City" in the east, successor of the late Roman 'castrum', was composed of the cathedral and palace of the archbishops as well as the castle of Tours. The castle of Tours acted as a seat of the authority of the Counts of Tours (later Counts of Anjou) and the King of France. In the west, the "new city" structured around the Abbey of Saint Martin was freed from the control of the city during the 10th century (an enclosure was built towards 918) and became "Châteauneuf". This space, organized between Saint Martin and the Loire, became the economic centre of Tours. Between these two centres were Varennes, vineyards and fields, little occupied except for the Abbaye Saint-Julien established on the banks of the Loire. The two centres were linked during the 14th century.

Place Plumereau, Medieval buildings

Tours became the capital of the county of Tours or Touraine, a territory bitterly disputed between the counts of Blois and Anjou – the latter were victorious in the 11th century. It was the capital of France at the time of Louis XI, who had settled in the castle of Montils (today the castle of Plessis-les-Tours, at the junction of the Loire and the Indre rivers). Tours and Touraine remained a permanent residence of the kings and court until the 16th century. The Renaissance gave Tours and Touraine many private mansions and castles, joined to some extent under the generic name of the Châteaux of the Loire. It is also at the time of Louis XI that the silk industry was introduced – despite difficulties, the industry still survives to this day.

16th–18th centuries

[edit]

Charles IX passed through the city at the time of his royal tour of France between 1564 and 1566, accompanied by the Court and various noblemen: his brother the Duke of Anjou, Henri de Navarre, the cardinals of Bourbon and Lorraine. At this time, the Catholics returned to power in Angers: the attendant assumed the right to nominate the aldermen. The Massacre of Saint-Barthelemy was not repeated at Tours. The Protestants were imprisoned by the aldermen – a measure which prevented their extermination. The permanent return of the Court to Paris and then Versailles marked the beginning of a slow but permanent decline. Guillaume the Metayer (1763–1798), known as Rochambeau, the well-known counter-revolutionary chief of Mayenne, was shot in Tours.

19th to 20th centuries

[edit]

The arrival of the railway in the 19th century saved the city by making it an important nodal point. The main railway station is known as Tours-Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. At that time, Tours was expanding towards the south into a district known as the Prébendes. The importance of the city as a centre of communications contributed to its revival and, as the 20th century progressed, Tours became a dynamic conurbation, economically oriented towards the service sector.

First World War

[edit]
Tours Cathedral: 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic west front with Renaissance pinnacles, completed 1547.

The city was greatly affected by the First World War. A force of 25,000 American soldiers arrived in 1917, setting up textile factories for the manufacture of uniforms, repair shops for military equipment, munitions dumps, an army post office and an American military hospital at Augustins. Because of this, Tours became a garrison town with a resident general staff. The American presence is remembered today by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Loire, which was officially opened in July 1918 and bears the name of the President of the United States from 1913 to 1921. Three American air force squadrons, including the 492nd, were based at the Parçay-Meslay airfield, their personnel playing an active part in the life of the city. Americans paraded at funerals and award ceremonies for the Croix de Guerre. They also took part in festivals and their YMCA organised shows for the troops. Some men married women from Tours.

Inter-war years

[edit]

In 1920, the city hosted the Congress of Tours, which saw the creation of the French Communist Party. One future consequence of that congress was the presence of Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese nationalist, who became one of the first members of the party.

Second World War

[edit]

Tours was also marked by the Second World War, as the city suffered massive destruction in 1940. For four years it was a city of military camps and fortifications. From 10 to 13 June 1940, Tours was the temporary seat of the French government before its move to Bordeaux.

German incendiary bombs caused a huge fire, which blazed out of control from 20 to 22 June and destroyed part of the city centre. Some architectural masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries were lost, as was the monumental entry to the city. The Wilson Bridge, which carried a water main that supplied the city, was dynamited to slow the progress of the German advance. With the water main severed, nobody could extinguish the inferno. That made inhabitants have no option but to flee to safety. More heavy air raids by Allied forces devastated the area around the railway station in 1944, causing several hundred deaths.

Post-war developments

[edit]

A plan for the rebuilding of the central area drawn up by the local architect Camille Lefèvre had been adopted even before the end of the war. The plan was for 20 small quadrangular blocks of housing to be arranged around the main road (la rue Nationale), which was widened. This regular layout attempted to echo but simplify the 18th-century architecture. Pierre Patout succeeded Lefèvre as the architect in charge of rebuilding in 1945. At one time, there was talk of demolishing the southern side of the rue Nationale to make it in keeping with the new development.

The recent history of Tours is marked by the personality of Jean Royer, who was mayor for 36 years and helped save the old town from demolition by establishing one of the first Conservation Areas. This example of conservation policy would later inspire the Malraux Law for the safeguarding of historic city centres. In the 1970s, Jean Royer also extended the city to the south by diverting the course of the Cher River to create the districts of Rives du Cher and des Fontaines. At the time, it was one of the largest urban developments in Europe. In 1970, the François Rabelais University was founded and centred on the bank of the Loire in the downtown area, not, as was the current practice, in a campus in the suburbs. The latter solution was also chosen by the twin university of Orleans. Royer's long term as mayor was, however, not without controversy, as is exemplified by the construction of the practical but aesthetically unattractive motorway, which runs along the bed of a former canal just 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) from the cathedral. Another bone of contention was the original Vinci Congress Centre by Jean Nouvel. The project incurred debts although it at least made Tours one of France's principal conference centres.

Jean Germain, a member of the Socialist Party, became mayor in 1995 and made debt reduction his priority. Ten years later, his economic management was regarded as much wiser than that of his predecessor because of the financial stability of the city returning. However, his achievements were criticised by the municipal opposition for a lack of ambition. There were no large building projects instituted under his two terms. That position is disputed by those in power, who affirm their policy of concentrating on the quality of life, as evidenced by urban restoration, the development of public transport and cultural activities.

Climate

[edit]

Tours has an oceanic climate that is very mild for such a northern latitude. Summers are influenced by its inland position, resulting in frequent days of 25 °C (77 °F) or warmer, whereas winters are kept mild by Atlantic air masses. The entire valley between Orlans and Angers is famous for the luminosity of its air and for its fabulous châteaux, most of them Renaissance (over 600 between Orlans and Angers).

Climate data for Tours (1991–2020 averages)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.9
(62.4)
22.1
(71.8)
25.3
(77.5)
29.2
(84.6)
31.8
(89.2)
39.1
(102.4)
40.8
(105.4)
39.8
(103.6)
35.5
(95.9)
31.1
(88.0)
22.3
(72.1)
18.5
(65.3)
40.8
(105.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.7
(45.9)
9.0
(48.2)
12.9
(55.2)
16.0
(60.8)
19.6
(67.3)
23.4
(74.1)
25.9
(78.6)
26.0
(78.8)
22.1
(71.8)
17.0
(62.6)
11.4
(52.5)
8.1
(46.6)
16.6
(61.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.1
(41.2)
5.6
(42.1)
8.6
(47.5)
11.0
(51.8)
14.5
(58.1)
18.0
(64.4)
20.2
(68.4)
20.2
(68.4)
16.8
(62.2)
13.0
(55.4)
8.3
(46.9)
5.5
(41.9)
12.2
(54.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.5
(36.5)
2.3
(36.1)
4.3
(39.7)
6.0
(42.8)
9.4
(48.9)
12.6
(54.7)
14.4
(57.9)
14.3
(57.7)
11.4
(52.5)
9.0
(48.2)
5.3
(41.5)
2.9
(37.2)
7.9
(46.2)
Record low °C (°F) −17.4
(0.7)
−14.2
(6.4)
−10.3
(13.5)
−3.4
(25.9)
−0.6
(30.9)
2.6
(36.7)
4.3
(39.7)
4.8
(40.6)
0.9
(33.6)
−2.3
(27.9)
−7.1
(19.2)
−18.5
(−1.3)
−18.5
(−1.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 63.0
(2.48)
52.4
(2.06)
48.7
(1.92)
53.0
(2.09)
57.7
(2.27)
53.2
(2.09)
46.6
(1.83)
44.0
(1.73)
51.8
(2.04)
66.0
(2.60)
69.3
(2.73)
72.1
(2.84)
677.8
(26.69)
Average precipitation days 11.0 9.8 9.3 8.9 9.0 7.6 6.7 6.6 7.5 9.8 11.4 11.5 109.0
Average snowy days 2.4 2.9 1.8 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.7 10.6
Average relative humidity (%) 87 84 79 74 77 75 72 73 77 84 87 89 79.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 68.4 95.2 148.8 187.3 214.2 228.5 247.1 237.7 191.3 122.9 78.9 64.6 1,884.8
Source 1: Météo France[6][7]
Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity and snowy days, 1961–1990)[8]

Sights

[edit]
Hôtel de Ville, Place Jean Jaurès
St Gatien Cathedral, from Rue Lavoisier, just north of the Rue Colbert intersection.
Pont Wilson

Cathedral

[edit]

The Cathedral of Tours, dedicated to Saint Gatien, its canonized first bishop, was begun about 1170 to replace the cathedral that was burnt out in 1166 during the dispute between Louis VII of France and Henry II of England. The lowermost stages of the western towers belong to the 12th century, but the rest of the west end is in the profusely detailed 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic, which were completed just as the Renaissance was affecting the patrons who planned the châteaux of Touraine. The towers were being constructed at the same time as, for example, the Château de Chenonceau.

When the 15th-century illuminator Jean Fouquet was set the task of illuminating Josephus's Jewish Antiquities, his depiction of Solomon's Temple was modelled on the nearly complete cathedral of Tours. The atmosphere of the Gothic cathedral close permeates Honoré de Balzac's dark short novel of jealousy and provincial intrigues, Le Curé de Tours (The Curate of Tours) and his medieval story Maître Cornélius opens in the cathedral itself.

Other points of interest

[edit]

Language

[edit]

Before the French Revolution, the inhabitants of Tours (Les Tourangeaux) were known for speaking the "purest" form of French in the entire country.[9] The pronunciation of Touraine was traditionally regarded as the most standard pronunciation of the French language, until the 19th century when the standard pronunciation of French shifted to that of the Parisian bourgeoisie.[10] That is explained by the fact that the court of France lived in Touraine between 1430 and 1530. French, the language of the court, had become the official language of the entire kingdom.

A Council of Tours in 813 decided that priests should preach sermons in different languages because the common people could no longer understand classical Latin. This was the first official recognition of an early French language distinct from Latin, and can be considered as the birth of French.

The Ordinance of Montils-lès-Tours, promulgated by Charles VII in 1454, made it mandatory to write laws and oral customs in the native language of the area.

An ordinance of Charles VIII (born in Amboise, near Tours) in 1490 and one of Louis XII (born in Blois, near Tours) in 1510 broaden the scope of the ordinance of Charles VII.

Finally, the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts, signed into law by Francis I in 1539, called for the use of French in all legal acts, notarized contracts and official legislation to avoid any linguistic confusion.

Gregory of Tours wrote in the 6th century that some people in the area could still speak Gaulish.

City

[edit]
Pont Wilson crosses the river Loire at the old civic core

The city has a population of 140,000 and is called "Le Jardin de la France" ("The Garden of France"). There are several parks located within the city. Tours is located between two rivers, the Loire to the north and the Cher to the south. The buildings of Tours are white with blue slate (called Ardoise) roofs; this style is common in the north of France, while most buildings in the south of France have terracotta roofs.

Tours is famous for its original medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. Unique to the Old City are its preserved half-timbered buildings and la Place Plumereau, a square with busy pubs and restaurants, whose open-air tables fill the centre of the square. The Boulevard Beranger crosses the Rue Nationale at the Place Jean-Jaures and is the location of weekly markets and fairs.

Tours is famous for its many bridges crossing the river Loire. One of them, Wilson Bridge, collapsed in 1978 but was rebuilt.

In the garden of the ancient Palais des Archevêques (now Musée des Beaux-Arts) is a huge cedar tree said to have been planted by Napoleon.[11] The garden also has a stuffed elephant named Fritz. He escaped from the Barnum and Bailey circus during their stay in Tours in 1902. He went mad and had to be shot down, but the city paid to honor him, and he was taxidermied as a result.

Tours is home to University of Tours (formerly known as University François Rabelais of Tours), the site of one of the most important choral competitions, called Florilège Vocal de Tours International Choir Competition, and is a member city of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.

Population

[edit]

The population data in the table and graph below refer to the commune of Tours proper, in its geography at the given years. The commune of Tours absorbed the former commune of Saint-Étienne in 1845 and Sainte-Radegonde-en-Touraine and Saint-Symphorien in 1964.[12]

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1793 21,000 —    
1800 20,240 −0.53%
1806 21,703 +1.17%
1821 21,928 +0.07%
1831 23,235 +0.58%
1836 26,669 +2.80%
1841 30,072 +2.43%
1846 30,766 +0.46%
1851 33,530 +1.74%
1856 38,055 +2.56%
1861 41,061 +1.53%
1866 42,450 +0.67%
1872 43,368 +0.36%
1876 48,325 +2.74%
1881 52,209 +1.56%
1886 59,585 +2.68%
1891 60,335 +0.25%
1896 63,267 +0.95%
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1901 64,695 +0.45%
1906 67,601 +0.88%
1911 73,398 +1.66%
1921 75,096 +0.23%
1926 77,192 +0.55%
1931 78,585 +0.36%
1936 83,753 +1.28%
1946 80,044 −0.45%
1954 83,618 +0.55%
1962 92,944 +1.33%
1968 128,120 +5.50%
1975 140,686 +1.35%
1982 132,209 −0.88%
1990 129,509 −0.26%
1999 132,820 +0.28%
2007 136,578 +0.35%
2012 134,978 −0.24%
2017 135,787 +0.12%
 
Source: EHESS[12] and INSEE (1968–2017)[13]

Transportation

[edit]
Tram model, design by the French agency RCP Design Global

Today, with extensive rail (including TGV) and autoroute connections linking to the rest of the country, Tours is a jumping-off point for tourist visits to the Loire Valley and the royal châteaux.

Tours is on one of the main lines of the TGV. It is possible to travel to the west coast of Bordeaux in an hour and forty minutes. From there, the line follows the Mediterranean coast via Avignon, and then to Spain and Barcelona. There are also lines to Lyon, Strasbourg and Lille. It takes less than one hour by train to get from Tours to Paris by TGV and one and a half hours to get to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Tours has two main stations: Gare de Tours, the central station, and Gare de Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, used by trains that do not terminate in Tours.

Tours Loire Valley Airport connects the Loire Valley to European cities.

Historically, Tours was served by trams and trolleybuses, the trolleybus system lasting from 1949 to 1968. Tram service returned to the city in 2013, when a new tram system began operation. Twenty-one Alstom Citadis trams were ordered.[14]

There is also a bus service, the main central stop being Jean Jaurès, next to the Hôtel de Ville, and rue Nationale, the high street of Tours. The tram and bus networks are operated by Fil Bleu and they share a ticketing system. A second tram line is scheduled for 2025.[15]

Sport

[edit]

The city's football team, Tours FC, currently play in Championnat National 3, the fifth level of French football. They also have a second team, CCSP Tours. CCSP's home stadium is the Stade des Tourettes and they play in the Division d'Honneur Regionale de Centre, the seventh tier of the French football league system.[citation needed]

Tours has served as the finish location for Paris–Tours, a one-day road cycling classic race held almost every October since 1896.[16]

Tours also has a volleyball club named the Tours VB.

Catholics from Tours

[edit]
Venerable Leo Dupont, Holy Man of Tours

Tours is a special place for Catholics who follow the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1843, Sister Marie of St Peter of Tours reported a vision which started the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus, in reparation for the many insults Christ suffered in His Passion. The Golden Arrow Prayer was first made public by her.

The Venerable Leo Dupont also known as The Holy Man of Tours lived in Tours at about the same time. In 1849 he started the nightly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which spread throughout France. Upon hearing of Sister Marie of St Peter's reported visions, he started to burn a vigil lamp continuously before a picture of the Holy Face of Jesus. The devotion was eventually approved by Pope Pius XII in 1958 and he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) for all Roman Catholics.[17] The Oratory of the Holy Face on Rue St. Etienne in Tours receives many pilgrims every year.

Tours was the site of the episcopal activity of St. Martin of Tours and has further Christian connotations in that the pivotal Battle of Tours in 732 is often considered the first decisive victory over the invading Islamic forces, turning the tide against them. The battle also helped lay the foundations of the Carolingian Empire.[18]

Notable people

[edit]
Louise de la Vallière, 17th.C
General Régis de Trobriand, 1865

Public service

[edit]

Arts

[edit]
Jean Fouquet self portrait, ca.1450
Philippe Néricault Destouches, 1741
statue of Honoré de Balzac

Science and business

[edit]
Gabriel Lamé

Sport

[edit]
Pascal Hervé, 2000

Twin towns — sister cities

[edit]

Tours is twinned with:[28]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations de référence 2022" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 19 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Comparateur de territoire". INSEE. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  4. ^ Historia Brittonum 7, 10–11
  5. ^ The Andalusian History, from the Islamic conquest till the fall of Granada 92–897 A.H. (711–1492 C.E.), by Professor AbdurRahman Ali El-Hajji, a professor of the Islamic history at Baghdad University, published in Dar Al-Qalam, in Damascus, and in Beirut. "Second Edition". p. 194
  6. ^ "Données climatiques de la station de Tours" (in French). Meteo France. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  7. ^ "TOURS (37)" (PDF). Fiche Climatologique: Statistiques 1991–2020 et records (in French). Meteo France. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Normes et records 1961–1990: Tours – St Symphorien (37) – altitude 112m" (in French). Infoclimat. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Tours, France". Meet Minneapolis. 2012. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  10. ^ de Montvalon, Jean-Baptiste. "Philippe Boula de Mareüil : « Les accents participent à la richesse de notre langue". Le Monde (in French). Paris. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  11. ^ "City summary: Tours". us.media.france.fr.
  12. ^ a b Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Tours, EHESS (in French).
  13. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  14. ^ "Tours selects Citadis and APS". Railway Gazette International. London. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  15. ^ "Tramway de Tours – Le Tram de Tours". letramdetours.net.
  16. ^ "City tourism: Tours". Paris–Tours. Amaury Sport Organisation. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  17. ^ Dorothy Scallan. "The Holy Man of Tours." (1990) ISBN 0-89555-390-2
  18. ^ Davis, Paul K. (1999) "100 Decisive Battles From Ancient Times to the Present" ISBN 0-19-514366-3
  19. ^ "Berengarius" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 768–769.
  20. ^ "La Vallière, Louise Françoise de" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 290–291.
  21. ^ "Viollet, Paul Marie" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 107.
  22. ^ "Foucquet, Jean" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 737.
  23. ^ Williamson, George Charles (1911). "Clouet, François" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). pp. 559–560.
  24. ^ "Destouches, Philippe" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 104.
  25. ^ "Dutens, Louis" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 736.
  26. ^ "Bouilly, Jean Nicolas" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 4 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 318.
  27. ^ Saintsbury, George (1911). "Balzac, Honoré de" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). pp. 298–301.
  28. ^ "Jumelages et partenariats". tours.fr (in French). Tours. Retrieved 16 November 2019.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

 

 

Early tour bus in Salt Lake City, 1909
A colourful tour bus at Kuranda, Queensland, Australia
Tourists taking photos from a ParisCityVision open-topped tour bus in Paris.
Salvador Bahia Bus in Santo Antonio da Barra Lighthouse, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
The Needles "Breezer", Isle of Wight, England

A tour bus service is an escorted tour (sometimes a package holiday) or bus service that takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around tourist attractions.

Information

[edit]

Double-decker buses and open top buses are commonly used, for providing a good view. Large coaches are used internationally by tour operators, intercity bus lines and charters, for short and long distance destinations. These buses are larger than regular transit buses, with 2 to 4 axles (6 to 10 wheels).

The history of tour buses in North America began in the early 20th century, when trucks were converted to provide a means for sightseeing within large American cities.[1] Gray Line, the largest sightseeing operators, began operations in 1910.[2] Sightseeing was likely a side business for many intercity bus operators because the same types of buses were used (this remains true even today). World War II saw the industry decline, but it slowly re-emerged as an alternative to driving.[1]

Many musicians, entertainers, dancing crews and bands travel in sleeper buses, commonly referred to as "tour buses". While most if not all of the buses and coaches listed above are for commercial applications, there are many coaches manufactured for personal use as motorhomes. These bus based motorhomes are considered the top end of the RV market.

Common features

[edit]
  • Padded fabric or leather front-facing seats, often reclining.
  • Foot and arm rests.
  • TV monitors connected to DVD player or VCR to provide entertainment or possibly analog TV or DTV for local news or programs (possibly in seats with viewer choosing what station).
  • Basic lavatory – riders may be discouraged from using it except in an emergency,[3][failed verification] but some newer buses feature full service lavatories[4]
  • Cool water dispenser, refrigerator, hot water urn.
  • Wheelchair lift or ramp and "kneeling suspension" for easier access (especially for the elderly and infirm).
  • Tinted windows (and/or curtains or blinds).
  • Luggage compartment (or bins) below in the underbelly of the bus, with overhead hand-luggage racks.

Tour coach manufacturers

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Driven John Mack Kept on Truckin', Helping Build Modern America". Investors.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  2. ^ Risko, Karin (2018). A History Lover's Guide to Detroit. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4671-3567-2.
  3. ^ "Bus Toilets / Toilets of the World". toilet-guru.com. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  4. ^ "New Prevost features to be showc". Prevost-stuff.com. December 22, 2006. Retrieved March 28, 2011.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are age restrictions for the Star Sightseeing Victoria tour. You'll need to check their official guidelines or contact them directly to find out the specific age requirements for participants.

You can cancel your tour for a full refund up to 24 hours before it starts. For unexpected weather or personal emergencies, they offer rescheduling options or partial refunds, depending on the situation's timing.

Star Sightseeing supports local communities and sustainable tourism in Victoria by partnering with local businesses, reducing waste, and promoting eco-friendly practices to ensure you're not just visiting, but also positively contributing to the area.