Église Saint-Julien de Tours, Gothic church in Tours, France
Église Saint-Julien de Tours is a Gothic church distinguished by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and a prominent bell tower that rises above the city. The building combines structural elements from different construction periods and demonstrates how the architecture evolved over several centuries.
The church was founded in the 6th century as part of a Benedictine abbey and underwent several reconstructions over time. A major rebuilding campaign in the 13th century reshaped the structure after it sustained significant damage, establishing much of what visitors see today.
The interior features stained glass windows by Max Ingrand and Jacques Le Chevallier, created after World War II to replace what was lost. These modern artworks shape how light filters through the space and reflect the church's role as a living place of worship that incorporates contemporary artistic expression.
The church sits in the Vieux-Tours neighborhood near Anatole-France Square and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors can walk through the interior during open hours, and the surrounding area offers several paths for exploring the old town.
The lower sections of the church contain remnants of an 11th-century Romanesque reconstruction that reflects earlier building phases. These older stone layers beneath the Gothic structure reveal how the site was modified and rebuilt across different historical periods.
Location: Tours
Inception: 1240
Part of: Abbaye Saint-Julien (Tours)
GPS coordinates: 47.39580,0.68725
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
The Loire Valley features Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance châteaux and medieval squares. From Saint-Gatien Cathedral to Château de Chenonceau, each location displays architectural details: towers, stone walls, decorated facades and geometric gardens. The city of Tours combines half-timbered houses, bridges over the Loire, religious buildings and public squares with century-old trees. Saint-Gatien Cathedral rises with its two towers and stained glass windows from the 13th century in the heart of Tours. Château de Chenonceau spans the Cher River with its galleries and French gardens. Place Plumereau in the historic center is surrounded by medieval houses with wooden beams. The Loire châteaux such as Amboise, Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau offer photographs of white stone facades, towers and terraced gardens. The banks of the Loire reveal sandy beaches, old stone bridges and vineyards stretching along the river.
Pont Wilson
399 m
Abbaye Saint-Julien
4 m
Grand Théâtre de Tours
251 m
Hôtel Goüin
210 m
Medieval enclosure at Tours
122 m
Library of Tours
172 m
Musée du compagnonnage
49 m
Centre de création contemporaine Olivier-Debré
155 m
Hôtel de Beaune-Semblançay
112 m
Monument aux morts américain de Tours
220 m
Passage du Coeur Navré
193 m
Nouvel Olympia
259 m
Fontaine de Beaune-Semblançay
79 m
Hôtel de la Crouzille
118 m
Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Touraine
90 m
Hôtel de Jean Galland
230 m
Maison de Ronsard
243 m
Maisons, 23, 25, 27 rue Colbert
65 m
Jeu de paume de la Moquerie
146 m
Hôtel, 17 place Foire-le-Roi
190 m
Maison du Croissant
259 m
Maison, 70 rue Colbert, 23 place Foire-le-Roi
205 m
Couvent des Filles de l'Union Chrétienne
257 m
Maison, 68 rue Colbert
199 m
Maison, 48 rue Colbert (Tours)
145 m
Maison, 1 place Foire-le-Roi
222 m
Maison, Place Foire-le-Roi, Rue de la Mocquerie
205 m
Maison, 3 place Foire-le-Roi
221 mReviews
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