Day 37 [7 Mar 09] – Tours

Took the TGV this morning from Bordeaux to Tours. It was a smooth journey all the way, although the train was 15 minutes delayed in leaving Bordeaux St-Jean. Got a duplex seat to myself for most of the journey and managed to sleep for around half of the two hour twenty minute trip.

Upon reaching Tours, we walked about 2.2km from the train station to the hotel! Now this was not because we were trying to save money, but because we were unsure what bus went to the street the hotel was on, and could not be bothered to ask. The walk was pretty okay though, and we reached the hotel in under thirty minutes. The hotel was a former Holiday-Inn express, and is probably our best accomodation to date on the trip. Price wise it is very cheap, only 21€ per person per night for a twin share in a two star hotel, inclusive of breakfast! This may not seem like much, but we have paid the same price for hostel beds in multi-share rooms and other poorer quality twin bed rooms. The only downside to this hotel was probably the location (as compared to the other hotels nearer to the city centre), but 2km+ away and a direct bus into the city solved this problem.

After dumping our bags, we decided to head into the “old city” for some lunch and to walk around. The old city looked very nice, with many of the old houses preserved in their unique Tours style.

Tours old city.

The walk around the old city was very nice because there were not many people around, even though it was a Saturday. Very peaceful time walking about while taking in the old buildings. After lunch, we headed to the main tourist attraction within the city, Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, built between the 12th and 16th century.

Cathédrale Saint-Gatien.

Inside.

The next stop was just next door, to Musée des beaux-arts, an art museum of sorts situated in a historical compound. I am not a big art guy, but there was nothing else to do really and this place was recommended in the Frommers guide.

Musée des beaux-arts.

Lisa Mona.

Fishy fishy…

I do not understand contemporary art. Do you?

Pretty easy day again, which is good. More time to relax in the hotel in preparation for the next two days of château visiting.

Today’s pictures here.