Does anyone know Tours please? We’re staying about half an hour from there for a few days and are looking to spend half a day or so looking around Tours. We’ll have Tommy the dog with us which makes it a bit more complicated. As it’ll be a weekday when we visit, I also wondered how easy it is to park.
The other option is Chinon which is a bit closer.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions. 
You must visit the old town and the square. (Isn’t that what people say) there’s always IKea at St Pierre des Corps if that floats your boat. Chambray les Tours for shopping.
Thank you, that’s helpful.
Only just 
Chinon is definitely worth a visit IMHO; it has an amazing castle (La Forteresse) with great views over the town and the river Vienne; the town itself is quite picturesque as well.
There is a dedicated car park for the Forteresse on Av. Francois Mittérand, which ought to be OK on a weekday, as well as on Rue de la Brèche (with a lift to get up to the Forteresse!) and parking for the town on Place Jeanne d’Arc.
The Forteresse website has this to say about dogs:
Les animaux de compagnie sont acceptés dans le parc tenus en laisse. Dans les bâtiments (à l’exception des Logis royaux pendant les expositions temporaires), seuls les animaux portés dans les bras ou dans un sac sont acceptés.
So as long as Tommy can be carried you should be OK! 
Of course, if you prefer the razzamatazz of classic cars to Ikea 
the weekend of 20/21 June will be wonderful.
And if you want somewhere else historic to combine with Chinon, the Abbaye de Fontevrauld is just 20km away:
Years ago we stayed there for a weekend . Great hotel, the gardens and, of course, the Abbey itself.
History came to life as our pals carefully explained to us exactly what was what while we wandered, wide-eyed, down the corridors and from room to room. So much to see and “take in”.
I stood next to Henry and Eleanor and spoke to them gently. No, I did not take a selfie
As always, our visit involved food. Delicious meals in the cloisters!
I’m just out of shot…
Thank you for the tips. At the moment we’re thinking that Tours sounds quite big and that we might be happier in Chinon.
I have visited Chinon. It has a policy whereby you can park in certain places on the roadside for free during lunchtimes. This is a policy not confined to Chinon but all over France to encourage people to spend on cafes and restaurants for lunch - don’t know if there is a specific roadsign for this, nor the exact times, say 12:00 - 14:00.
Note also that you get a better view of the castellated skyline from the other side of the river, then you can walk over the bridges for a look at the old town - steep narrow roads up to the castle (where Henry II, King of England died). Enjoy your trip.
Chinon, of blessed memory … 
Just another stop on the ‘Chateaux of the Loire’ tour I took which must have resulted in multiple claims for 4-figure refunds. For a start, my request for two days to recce the tour, never having done it before, was turned down. That led to tears before bedtime.
The Chinon debacle was arriving at a hotel, writ large on my itinerary, to the surprise of reception
“You were here last week. We expect you next week - but not today”. The office had changed the itinerary but given me the original.
But the good news is that we had an excellent meal at Restaurant At’able! 21 Rue Rabelais, 37500 Chinon. 02 47 98 40 88. Their card is stuck to my fridge, 15 years on. I see a review on Google maps that a dog was welcome. It seems very popular so booking would be wise.
I agree with @ChrisMann and @Stella for a visit to Abbaye de Fontevrauld.
Hello Jennifer, I live near Tours, in Azay Le Rideau, and visit Tours most weekends. Parking is easy and can be free if you use the car parks along the Loire. I usually use the one accessed at Pont Napoleon. There is lots to see, both new and Historic. As mentioned the old Town area has a lovely square which is very popular for dining, an amazing Cathedral and lovely walks along the river including Isle de Simon, also accessed from Pont Napolean. Azay Le Rideau, Langeais, and Chinon are all accessible from Tours. Azay in 25 minutes, Langeais in the same time and Chinon is 20 minutes on from Azay. Azay has several beautiful Chateau, if that is your thing, and Langeais, an imposing Castle. In Azay you can also do a Vinyard tour at Chateau L’Aulee to include Apero with Fromage, Jambon, Rillette and their award winning wines. The whole area is delightful. How long are you planning to stay and where specifically? I think both Tours and Chinon are each a whole day visit but you could certainly do Azay and Langeais in a day if that is all you have. The same applies for dogs as mentioned by Mark for visits indoors at all all the Chateau/Castles so big dogs on leads outside only. Elsewhere, dogs are very welcome and I only ever visit somewhere that allows my two furry companions. Let me know if you need any further info.
Thank you. We were Azay-le-Rideau until this morning! I think we’ll be back fairlysoon though and will bear in mind what you’ve said.
