Tours is located in the beautiful Loire Valley, often called the garden of France – a region of great cultural importance, famous for its historic and architectural heritage and majestic châteaux (among them Chambord, Chenonceau and Villandry). The area surrounding Tours and the banks of the river Loire boast ancient forests, renowned vineyards, troglodyte dwellings, and picturesque hilltop villages. The Loire Valley is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the quality of its architectural heritage and its outstanding cultural landscape.
The city of Tours is 140 miles southwest of Paris, only 55 minutes from Paris by TGV (high speed train). It offers students an ideal place to study French in the relaxed atmosphere of a provincial city. Tours presents a fascinating amalgam of old and new, with its pedestrian streets, fashionable stores, and large cafés on the Place Plumereau. It remains a repository of traditional French culture while becoming a principal communications hub of modern Europe.