Château de Tours
Former royal castle of Tours, now a centre for contemporary art and photography, with the Tour de Guise.
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About the museum
The site was occupied as early as Roman times, and the castle reuses a late Roman rampart. A stone count’s residence was built here in the 11th century. After Touraine was joined to the royal domain in 1204, the castle was enlarged in the 13th century into a quadrangular fortress with round corner towers, then remodelled in the 15th century, when the Tour de Guise received machicolations and the Governors’ residence was built.
In 1545 it became the residence of the governor of Tours. In 1591 Charles de Guise escaped from the tower that now bears his name. In the 18th century the castle served as a poorhouse and a quarry. The City of Tours bought it in 1815 to use as a barracks, the Caserne Meusnier, until the site was handed back in 1968.
The towers were listed as historic monuments in 1913 and the rest of the site in 1973. Restoration began in 1972, followed by archaeological excavations from 1974 to 1978. The castle has since hosted cultural and heritage activities, with exhibitions every year since 2001.
Today this historic site is open to contemporary art: the castle’s exhibition centre presents a programme of photography, painting, sculpture and visual arts, in partnership with the City of Tours museums and the Jeu de Paume.
Highlights
- Tour de Guise, about 25 metres high
- Royal castle from the 13th to 15th centuries
- Centre for contemporary art and photography exhibitions
- Exhibitions in partnership with the Jeu de Paume
- Operated by
- Ville de Tours
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50Groups of 10 or more, people aged 65 and over, students over 26, teachers, members of the Maison des Artistes, subscribers of cultural partners and holders of certain Rémi public transport passes. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission for visitors under 26. |
| Seniors | €2.50Reduced rate from age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities, with a companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students with the Passeport Culturel Étudiant; reduced rate for students over 26. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2.50 per personReduced rate for groups of 10 or more. |
| Guided tour with audiophone | €3Per person, in addition to the admission ticket. |
| Multi-visit card (one admission to each of the city’s four museums) | €14.50 |
| Annual subscription to the four museums | €25Annual subscription per museum: €15 for the castle. |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month.
Free admission also for school groups on self-guided visits, job seekers, recipients of the RSA, veterans and holders of the Carte Culture, with proof.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
No accessibility information specific to the castle is published; the website of the Tours museums refers to a general accessibility page.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The City of Tours offers activities for young audiences at its heritage sites; admission is free for visitors under 26.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours with audiophone are available for an extra charge on top of the admission ticket. Offers for groups and school classes are available. |
