What are the most beautiful villages to discover around Tours?

The Tours region is full of architectural treasures and picturesque villages that seem frozen in time. Between Renaissance castles, medieval streets and remarkable gardens, these pearls of Touraine offer a perfect escape from urban hustle and bustle. Let's discover together the most beautiful villages to explore during your stay in the Loire Valley.

1. Amboise, the royal city between history and Renaissance

Impossible to talk about the most beautiful villages around Tours without mentioning Amboise, jewel of the French Renaissance. This royal city, located just 25 kilometers from Tours, has preserved an authentic charm with its cobbled streets that climb towards the royal castle. The village offers a perfect blend between medieval and Renaissance architecture, with its half-timbered houses and private mansions.

The royal castle of Amboise, perched on its rocky spur, majestically dominates the Loire and offers exceptional panoramas over the valley. Not far from there, the Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last residence, adds a unique artistic dimension to this unmissable destination. Let yourself be guided through the streets of Amboise to discover its best-kept secrets.

2. Crissay-sur-Manse, a journey through time

Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Crissay-sur-Manse (37350 Crissay-sur-Manse, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 450 reviews) is a true open-air museum. Located about 40 minutes from Tours, this enchanting medieval village instantly transports you to the 15th century with its winding streets lined with half-timbered houses and Renaissance manors.

The Church of Saint-Maurice, built in 1527 by Jean Turpin, dominates the village and testifies to its rich past. The ruins of the 15th-century castle, erected on the foundations of a 13th-century fortress, offer a fascinating dive into medieval history. Crissay-sur-Manse is also an artists' village, with numerous workshops and art galleries to discover in its bucolic setting by the Manse.

3. Montrésor, the treasure village

50 kilometers from Tours, Montrésor (37460 Montrésor, rated 4.1/5 on Google for 1200 reviews) perfectly lives up to its name as a "treasure village". This architectural gem, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, stands proudly on a rocky promontory overlooking the Indrois valley.

The castle of Montrésor, harmonious blend of medieval fortress and Renaissance residence, houses a remarkable collection of Italian primitive paintings. The village has preserved its medieval charm with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses and ramparts. The collegiate church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, masterpiece of Gothic art, is worth the visit alone.

4. Candes-Saint-Martin, a pearl at the confluence of waters

Nestled at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne, Candes-Saint-Martin (37500 Candes-Saint-Martin, rated 4.3/5 on Google for 800 reviews) offers a breathtaking panorama over the two rivers. This exceptional village, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, is a true haven of peace 50 minutes from Tours.

The collegiate church, true jewel of Romanesque art, dominates the village and tells the story of Saint Martin of Tours. The narrow streets lined with white stone houses typical of the region invite strolling. Candes-Saint-Martin is also the ideal starting point to explore the surroundings, notably the nearby castle of Monsoreau.

5. Chédigny, the garden village of Touraine

Unique in France, Chédigny (37310 Chédigny, rated 4.0/5 on Google for 350 reviews) is the only village entirely classified as "Remarkable Garden" by the Ministry of Culture. 40 minutes from Tours, this extraordinary village transforms every street into a true flowering garden, offering an explosion of colors and fragrances throughout the year.

The village is famous for its May Rose festival, which attracts thousands of visitors who come to admire the approximately 800 varieties of roses that adorn the streets. With its 1000 rose bushes, 1500 bulbs and more than 3000 perennials, Chédigny is an enchantment for the senses. The 11th-century Church of Saint-Pierre and the old stone houses add a historical dimension to this botanical paradise.

6. Beaulieu-lès-Loches, an immersion in medieval history

Beaulieu-lès-Loches (37600 Beaulieu-lès-Loches, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 280 reviews) is a true treasure of medieval architecture. This Small Town of Character, located about forty kilometers from Tours, is dominated by the impressive ruins of its former Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century.

The village preserves remarkable architectural heritage with its old houses, its 13th-century canal and its medieval urban equipment. Located on the banks of the Indrois, Beaulieu-lès-Loches offers magnificent walks along the river, with bucolic landscapes as backdrop.

7. Lavardin, the troglodytic fortress

Although located in Loir-et-Cher, Lavardin (41800 Lavardin, rated 4.4/5 on Google for 950 reviews) deserves its place among the most beautiful villages to discover from Tours. About 50 minutes by car, this troglodytic village classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France nestles at the foot of the majestic ruins of its medieval castle.

The remains of the feudal castle, perched on a rocky promontory, offer a breathtaking view over the Loir valley. The village preserves remarkable architectural heritage with its houses from the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th centuries, its picturesque and flowery streets, and its Church of Saint-Genest adorned with exceptional frescoes.

8. Montrichard, the boatmen's city

Montrichard-Val-de-Cher (41400 Montrichard, rated 4.1/5 on Google for 600 reviews) is a charming medieval city located on the banks of the Cher, about 50 minutes from Tours. This authentic village has preserved its character as a boatmen's city with its picturesque quays and half-timbered houses.

The castle keep, vestige of the medieval fortress, dominates the town and offers an exceptional panorama over the Cher valley. The cobbled streets of the historic center, lined with Renaissance houses, invite discovery of this preserved heritage.

Download the audio-guided circuit to discover Blois on foot and independently

If you wish to explore the region with a structured itinerary, we recommend downloading the audio-guided circuit to visit Blois. This 4.3 km and 1h45 walk will allow you to discover 21 places of interest in this royal city, true gateway to the surrounding villages. Let yourself be guided by detailed explanations that will reveal the secrets of this historic city, ideal starting point to radiate towards the most beautiful villages of the region.

9. Artannes-sur-Indre, where history and nature meet

Artannes-sur-Indre (37260 Artannes-sur-Indre, rated 4.0/5 on Google for 120 reviews) is a picturesque village where time seems suspended. Located about thirty kilometers from Tours, this rural village attracts with its remarkable architectural heritage, notably its Romanesque Church of Saint-Maurice and its 15th-century castle.

The Indre river that crosses the village offers bucolic landscapes and numerous outdoor activities. The mill of Balan, former restored water mill, adds an extra touch of charm to this place where history and nature meet harmoniously.

10. Rochecorbon, between troglodytic heritage and vineyards

Rochecorbon (37210 Rochecorbon, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 350 reviews) is a picturesque village located on the banks of the Loire, a few kilometers from Tours. This village is particularly appreciated for its unique troglodytic heritage, with its houses carved into the tuffeau cliff that testify to an ancestral way of life.

The Romanesque Church of Saint-Georges, the manor of la Guignardière and the castle of l'Aubespin, all three classified as historical monuments, enrich this exceptional heritage. The surrounding vineyards offer magnificent panoramas over the Loire and allow discovery of Vouvray appellation wines.

11. Villaines-les-Rochers, the basket weavers' village

Villaines-les-Rochers (37190 Villaines-les-Rochers, rated 4.1/5 on Google for 200 reviews) is a unique village in France, cradle of French basketry. 25 kilometers from Tours, you can discover the millenary art of basketry through workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations at the basketry cooperative.

The Church of Saint-Symphorien, jewel of Romanesque art, and the surrounding landscapes of forests and rivers make this village an exceptional place where traditional craftsmanship perpetuates in a preserved natural setting.

Tips for visiting these villages

To fully enjoy these discoveries, we recommend planning one day per geographical sector. The villages located south of Tours (Crissay-sur-Manse, Montrésor, Beaulieu-lès-Loches) can be visited during the same circuit, as well as those located along the Loire (Amboise, Rochecorbon, Candes-Saint-Martin).

Don't hesitate to let yourself be guided by Ryo itineraries which will allow you to discover these Touraine treasures independently, with detailed explanations on the history and heritage of each place.

In conclusion, the surroundings of Tours offer exceptional diversity of picturesque villages, each telling a page of French history. Whether you are passionate about medieval architecture, lover of remarkable gardens or simply seeking authenticity, these character villages promise unforgettable discoveries. Take time to explore these pearls of Touraine, let yourself be guided by Ryo circuits for an enriching experience and go meet authentic France.

When to visit these villages around Tours?

The best period to discover these villages extends from May to October, with special mention for May-June during the rose blooming in Chédigny. Summer months offer ideal weather for walks, while autumn reveals magnificent colors in the vineyards.

How to organize your most beautiful villages circuit?

Plan 2 to 3 days to visit all these villages. Base yourself in Tours or in one of the villages to radiate throughout the region. Since distances are short, you can easily combine 2 to 3 villages per day according to your interests.

Where to eat in these character villages?

Each village has its culinary specialties and good addresses. Look for restaurants offering local products: Tours rillettes, Loire wines, regional goat cheeses. Local markets are also excellent places to discover authentic flavors of Touraine.