Tours: The Heart of the Loire Valley

• HelloBonjour
  [bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh ruh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [nohn]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît/De rien
  [seel voo play/dee ryehn]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi/Désolé
  [ex-kew-zay mwah/day-zoh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [koh-mohn sah vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byen. ay voo]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [par-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir la carte, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwar lah kart, seel voo play]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo play]

• Help!À l'aide!
  [ah layd]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [al-lay voo zahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-puh-lay lah po-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-puh-lay uh med-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray zah-shey...]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gard zheust]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohn-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-vez voo bay-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell urr eh-teel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel eh oon urr]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [dees ehr ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [yair]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-mahn]
• 1Un
  [uh]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [twah]
• 4Quatre
  [ka-truh]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [set]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nurf]
• 10Dix
  [dees]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo eh...]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell eh lah-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-vez voo muh mohn-tray (surr lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahn eh luh proh-shan (buhs)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor)]

Tours, known as Caesarodunum during the Roman era, was established in the 1st century AD. It served as an important administrative center in the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis. The city's Roman roots are evident in its layout and archaeological remains, including the remnants of a Roman amphitheater and baths.

During the medieval period, Tours became a major pilgrimage site due to the relics of St. Martin of Tours. The Basilica of St. Martin, built to honor the saint, attracted pilgrims from across Europe. The city's strategic location along the Loire River also contributed to its growth as a commercial hub.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Tours flourished under the influence of the French Renaissance. The city became a favored residence for the French monarchy. Notable Renaissance structures include the Hôtel Goüin and the Château de Tours, showcasing the architectural grandeur of the period.

In 732 AD, the Battle of Tours marked a significant turning point in European history. Charles Martel's Frankish forces defeated the Umayyad Caliphate, halting the Muslim advance into Western Europe. This victory solidified Tours' place in military history and helped shape the continent's religious and cultural landscape.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Tours underwent significant modernization. The arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century spurred economic growth and urban development. The city played a pivotal role during World War II, serving as a temporary capital of France in 1940 and later enduring occupation and liberation.

Today, Tours is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. The city is home to numerous museums, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which houses an impressive collection of art. The annual Festival de la Loire celebrates the region's maritime history, while the vibrant local markets and gastronomy reflect Tours' enduring cultural vitality.

Tours is located in the Loire Valley, approximately 240 kilometers southwest of Paris. The nearest major airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), from which you can take a direct TGV (high-speed train) to Tours. The train journey typically takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, there is a smaller airport, Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF), with limited flights from European destinations. If you prefer driving, Tours is accessible via the A10 motorway from Paris, a journey of roughly 2.5 hours.

Tours has an efficient public transportation system that includes buses and trams, operated by Fil Bleu. Tickets can be purchased at machines located at tram stops or directly from bus drivers. For exploring the city center, walking or renting a bicycle is highly recommended. Taxis are also readily available, and ridesharing services like Uber operate in the area. For trips outside of Tours, consider renting a car to explore the Loire Valley and its famous châteaux at your own pace.

The official currency in France is the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it's a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments, local markets, and rural areas. ATMs are plentiful in Tours, especially in the city center, where you can withdraw money as needed.

Tours is generally a safe city for tourists. However, like any urban area, it is wise to take standard precautions. Avoid leaving your belongings unattended and be cautious in crowded areas, such as train stations and popular tourist spots. While Tours does not have specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, neighborhoods like Les Fontaines and some parts of La Rabière have higher crime rates, so exercise additional caution if you visit these areas, especially at night.

In case of an emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance, which is the European emergency number for police, fire, and medical services. The main hospital in Tours is CHRU de Tours, which provides comprehensive medical care. Pharmacies are widely available for minor health issues. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For lost or stolen items, contact the local police station.

Fashion: Do dress smartly, especially when dining out or visiting upscale locations. Casual attire is acceptable, but avoid overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs in religious sites. Always dress modestly and remain quiet. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding trams and buses. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a polite 'Bonjour' (Good day) upon entering shops or restaurants. A handshake is a common form of greeting. Eating & Drinking: Do try local specialties like rillettes and Loire Valley wines. Don’t rush your meals; dining is considered a leisurely activity.

To experience Tours like a local, visit the Halles de Tours, the central market, where you can find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and other local delicacies. Take a leisurely stroll along the Loire River and enjoy a picnic in one of the many parks. Engage with locals at the numerous wine bars and cafés scattered throughout the city. Don’t miss the weekly flea market at Place Anatole France for unique finds. For a cultural experience, attend a performance at the Grand Théâtre de Tours.