Historic hotels · Tours
Historic Stays in Tours: Where to Sleep
Tours wears its history openly. The old town around Place Plumereau is lined with timber-framed houses, the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Gatien rises a short walk away, and the city grew around the tomb of Saint Martin, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites of medieval Europe. It is also the classic base for the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Of the four hotels on this page, one occupies a genuinely historic building, the 18th-century Hotel Du Cygne. Two others are central addresses without particular heritage, and the Ibis sits about 3 km from the cathedral. I explain below which one suits which kind of visit.
Tours is a Loire city of pale stone and slate roofs, proud of its role in French history. Saint Martin made it a pilgrimage centre in the Middle Ages, kings stayed in the region's châteaux, and the old town around Place Plumereau keeps its timber-framed houses and lively terraces. Today it is a calm, student city where the French is often said to be the clearest in the country, with the Loire flowing along its northern edge.
Updated October 13, 2026
One historic house and three practical bases
A historic stay in Tours works best from the centre, where the cathedral, the old town, the Loire quays and the Museum of Fine Arts lie within walking distance of each other. From there, the châteaux of Villandry, Amboise and Chenonceau are easy day trips by car or train. The hotels listed here score between 8.1 and 8.8, so the choice comes down to the building itself, the location and practical details such as parking.
Hotel Du Cygne Tours is the only hotel on this page set in a historic building, and also the best rated, 8.8 from 1,278 reviews. It occupies an 18th-century house on a quiet street in the historic centre, close to the cathedral and to the antique shops of the old town. Rooms are individually decorated, with modern comforts and free Wi-Fi, and pets are accepted. For a stay centred on the heritage of Tours, this is the address I would book first. Its quiet street is a real asset in a centre that can be lively at night around Place Plumereau.
Frenchdoor Tours Corneille, rated 8.4 from 1,339 reviews, stands in the centre and offers air-conditioned family rooms with parquet floors and views of a landmark or of the city. Guests can use a sun terrace, a lounge, a coffee shop and a shared kitchen, a rare feature in a hotel, useful for travellers who want to prepare a simple meal. A concierge service and luggage storage complete the offer. The building itself is not described as historic, but the location puts the old town and the cathedral within easy reach, and the shared kitchen makes it a good choice for families on a longer stay.
Cit'Hotel Criden is a small central hotel with 33 spacious rooms, a buffet breakfast, a bar and a lounge, rated 8.1 from 236 reviews. Its main advantage is parking: both indoor and outdoor private parking are available, which is rare in the centre of Tours and very practical if you plan to drive to the châteaux of the Loire Valley each day. Pets are welcome. The listing presents it as a convenient base for the castles rather than as a heritage property, and that is exactly how I would use it: a central place to sleep with the car close at hand.
Ibis Tours Centre Giraudeau has the most reviews on the page, 2,118, with a score of 8.1. Despite its name, it sits about 3 km from Saint-Gatien Cathedral, and its listing relies on public transport to reach the main sights. It offers quiet, contemporary rooms, a buffet breakfast, a bar and free private outdoor parking. I would not call it a historic stay, and I prefer to say so: it is a sensible, well-reviewed option if you arrive by car and are happy to take the tram or the bus into the old town, but the three other hotels are better placed for walking.
A traveler's take
For two or three days in Tours focused on history, I would book Hotel Du Cygne for its 18th-century building and its quiet street close to the cathedral. I would spend the first day on foot between Saint-Gatien, the old town and the Loire quays, then drive or take the train to one or two châteaux. If I needed parking in the centre, I would choose Cit'Hotel Criden instead, and I would keep the Ibis only for a stop by car.
Historic hotels
4 stays in Tours
Historic hotelsTours
Hotel Du Cygne Tours
Charming 18th-century hotel in historic Tours, close to the cathedral
Why guests love itI like the Hôtel du Cygne for its setting in an 18th-century building on a quiet street in the historic centre of Tours. Rooms are individually decorated and come with modern comforts and free Wi-Fi. The cathedral and the antique shops are close by, so exploring on foot is easy. Pets are welcome, and I find it a calm base for couples.
Historic hotelsTours
Frenchdoor Tours Corneille
Family-friendly aparthotel with city views and a sun terrace in central Tours
Why guests love itFrenchdoor Tours Corneille offers air-conditioned family rooms in central Tours, and I like the shared kitchen as a bonus for families: a snack or a simple meal for children is easy to prepare. Rooms have parquet floors and views of a landmark or the city. The sun terrace, lounge and coffee shop give everyone somewhere to sit, and luggage storage helps on departure day. Paid private parking is available for those who drive.
Historic hotelsTours
Ibis Tours Centre Giraudeau
Comfortable and quiet hotel with free parking and easy city access
Why guests love itIbis Tours Centre Giraudeau is a contemporary hotel with quiet rooms, which helps when children need an early night. Free private outdoor parking makes arriving by car easy, and Saint Gatien Cathedral is 3 km away, with public transport linking the hotel to the city's main sights. A buffet breakfast and a bar round out the essentials, and pets are welcome. Guests rate it 8.1 out of 10 across more than 2,100 reviews.
Historic hotelsTours
Cit'Hotel Criden
A central Tours hotel, ideal for Loire Valley castle tours and pet-friendly stays
Why guests love itCit'Hotel Criden is a central base in Tours for families planning days out to the Loire Valley châteaux. Its 33 rooms are described as spacious, each with a private bathroom and free WiFi, which helps when sharing with children. A buffet breakfast gets everyone fed before a drive, and the indoor and outdoor private parking means the car stays close. There is a bar and lounge for quieter evenings, and pets are welcome.
Tours
Local tips
- 1Book Hotel Du Cygne if you want to sleep in an 18th-century building close to the cathedral.
- 2Need parking in the centre? Cit'Hotel Criden offers indoor and outdoor private parking.
- 3Travelling as a family? Frenchdoor Tours Corneille has family rooms and a shared kitchen.
- 4Walk from Saint-Gatien Cathedral to Place Plumereau to see the timber-framed houses of the old town.
- 5Plan a day for the châteaux: Villandry, Amboise and Chenonceau are easy trips from Tours.
- 6Staying at the Ibis Giraudeau? Allow for public transport: it is about 3 km from the cathedral.
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Historic hotels · Tours
Hotel Du Cygne Tours occupies an 18th-century building on a quiet street in the historic centre, close to the cathedral. It is also the best rated hotel on this page, 8.8 from 1,278 reviews. The three other hotels are modern or functional buildings without particular heritage.