Gallo-Roman Temple of Tours

The Gallo-Roman Temple of Tours is an archaeological site containing remains of an ancient sanctuary from the Roman period. The ruins lie beneath downtown buildings and display a circular design spanning about 30 meters across, combined with classical Roman features like a covered entrance hall topped with a triangular pediment.

The sanctuary was built in the late 1st century CE in the Roman city of Caesarodunum, replacing an earlier temple constructed during the first half of that century. Excavations during the 1990s revealed wooden foundations and architectural fragments that had survived underground.

The building reflects how Roman and Celtic religious beliefs coexisted in this region, visible in its round design that differs from typical Roman temples. This shape shows how local traditions shaped religious architecture even under Roman rule.

The remains are located beneath modern buildings in the old town of Tours and are not visible as open ruins. Visitors can learn about the archaeological discoveries through local museums or informative plaques at street level.

Medieval texts mention the sanctuary without specifying its exact location, creating centuries of uncertainty about where it actually stood. The final identification only came about through post-World War II construction work, which both discovered and partially destroyed remaining fragments.