Living in Tours
A Dynamic and Welcoming City on a Human Scale
Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, Tours offers an ideal living environment for studying French and discovering French culture. A dynamic and welcoming city on a human scale, it captivates with its exceptional heritage, cultural richness, and quality of life.
Between history, nature, and modernity, Tours combines the charm of an ancient city with the energy of a student metropolis.
The Loire Valley: a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nicknamed the “Garden of France,” Touraine boasts numerous parks and green spaces, such as the famous French-style gardens of Villandry Castle. Crossed by the Loire, Europe’s last wild river, the region is popular for hiking, hot-air balloon rides, and vineyard tours… Tours is also on the “Loire à Vélo” route, a cycling itinerary connecting central France to the Atlantic.
As the capital of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tours attracts over 5,000 international students each year. Outside of classes, they discover the gentle way of life, Renaissance castles, and French culture and gastronomy here… The Institut de Touraine promotes this immersion through a rich program of activities.
Touraine is also the birthplace of illustrious writers such as Rabelais, Ronsard, and Balzac. Many American artists have stayed there (Calder, Max Ernst…).
Going out in Tours
Just a stone’s throw from the Institute, the historic district is popular for its cafes and terraces. On sunny days, a “guinguette” – an open-air cafe where one can dance and listen to music – is set up along the banks of the Loire. As a student city, Tours has numerous cinemas and several concert venues.
Tours is a city where life is good, for shopping, going out with friends… Just a stone’s throw from the Institute, the historic district is popular for its many cafes and terraces, especially on Place Plumereau, considered one of the most beautiful squares in France for a drink.
Tours also has several cinemas, an opera house, an ice rink, swimming pools, a contemporary art center (CCCOD), and several concert halls and festivals (classical music or jazz).
Tours, a Student City
Young and dynamic, Tours has over 30,000 students, 10% of whom are international, spread across several campuses throughout the city. As the largest university in the Centre-Val de Loire region, the University of Tours offers a wide variety of degrees and conducts intensive scientific research.
Living and studying in Tours does not require a large budget. For example, the cost of accommodation is half that of Paris. Public transport is also available at reasonable prices. From the Institut de Touraine, you can easily get around on foot, by bike, bus, or tram to play sports, stroll through the historic district, go shopping, attend a show, enjoy the banks of the Loire…
As the capital of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tours attracts over 5,000 international students each year. Outside of classes, they discover the gentle way of life, Renaissance castles, and French culture and gastronomy here… The Institut de Touraine promotes this immersion through a rich program of cultural activities and excursions.