Château de Tours, Art museum and medieval castle in Tours, France
The Château de Tours is an art museum housed in a medieval castle in central Tours. The building displays the typical features of medieval architecture, with stone walls and towers that define its structure.
Construction of the fortress began in the 11th century and continued to evolve over the following centuries. The building later underwent several transformations before becoming the art museum it is today.
The castle now functions as a gallery space, hosting rotating exhibitions of contemporary paintings and photographs by artists from around the world. Walking through its rooms, you encounter pieces that change regularly, making each visit different.
The castle sits in the heart of the city and is easy to reach when walking through downtown Tours. You should check opening times before visiting to plan your trip accordingly.
Until the early 2000s, the castle housed an aquarium with hundreds of fish species from around the world. Few visitors today realize that this medieval space once served as a marine life exhibition before becoming an art museum.
Location: Tours
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 14:00-18:00
Website: https://tours.fr/culture/musees/chateau
GPS coordinates: 47.39710,0.69360
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
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.
Tours Cathedral
183 m
Roman amphitheatre of Tours
283 m
Enceinte gallo-romaine de Tours
245 m
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours
233 m
Arcis enclosure
151 m
Chapelle Saint-Libert de Tours
287 m
Pont suspendu de Saint-Symphorien
292 m
Pont d'Eudes
292 m
Cloître de la Psalette
158 m
Hôtel de Jean Galland
275 m
Hôtel
284 m
Maison de Ronsard
258 m
Maison canoniale du Curé de Tours
145 m
Hôtel de l'archidiaconé de Tours
135 m
Hôtel, 7 rue de la Barre
221 m
Ancienne maison canoniale de Saint-Gatien
143 m
Hôtel du Doyenné de Saint-Gatien
279 m
Ancienne maison canoniale, 1 place Grégoire-de-Tours
227 m
Maison de Bonaventure
250 m
Immeuble, 96, 98 rue Colbert
191 m
Maison du Préchantre
119 m
Maison de justice des Bains
196 m
Hôtel de Chanoines
284 m
Maison, 25 rue du Cygne
281 m
Maison, 90 rue Colbert
209 m
Pipe organ (Tours St Gatien cathedral)
183 m
Maison, 29 rue du Cygne
287 m
Maison, 12 rue du Général-Meusnier
258 mReviews
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