A metropolitan area rooted in its regional and national surroundings
Ideally located at the heart of many major transport routes, the city is open to the world around it. It is easily accessible and attractive, with a motorway and an international airport, as well as the recently opened second part of the high-speed rail line between Paris and Bordeaux, which places Tours at the centre of the Atlantic network.
A hotspot of French innovation
The historic MAME site (a creation and innovation centre) has become the epicentre of French Tech Loire Valley and home to emerging new technologies. Building on its past, Tours has now established itself as an important cluster of research and training. Its Regional University Hospital and University, with a total of 30,000 students including 11% from abroad, play a major role in this success.
The art of living well
Tours has been traditionally known as the "Garden of France" and it has preserved this heritage with no less than 400 hectares of green spaces. In 2017, the organisation that oversees the development of green spaces in French towns and cities named Tours as the French city with the greatest amount of greenery. The art de vivre in Tours also extends to its cuisine, with the creation of the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie; the city boasts an outstanding architectural heritage as well as a thriving cultural scene for all tastes and ages.
A sporting city
Throughout the year, Tours plays host to many international sporting events. Paris-Tours is a major example, as are the Howard Hinton Sevens (rugby sevens) and the Nuit des Titans (Thai boxing). These competitions are the pride of the city and contribute to its impact on the sporting scene. Tours also shines through the results achieved by clubs such as European volleyball champions Tours VB. However, sport is also practised at lower levels in Tours. The city boasts more than 30,000 licence holders, who belong to around 200 associations and clubs in over 70 different disciplines.