Tours, France. Without hesitation, I can say that it is my favorite city on the planet. A quaint little university town located in the heart of the Loire Valley, Tours is known for its architectural beauty and proximity to the medieval chateaux of French monarchs. But the city is much more than that to me. It’s the planning, people, and the experiences that make it truly special to me.
I can remember the day so clearly. July 10, 2022. I stepped off a train from Paris and was greeted by bright sunshine and ninety degree weather. I lugged my giant suitcase for fifteen minutes until I reached my student accommodation. I was tired, sweaty, and jet lagged but happy that the small blocks, frequent pedestrian crossings, and friendliness of drivers made my journey pleasant. I quickly unpacked and ran to meet my best friends, who were studying abroad with me for the rest of the month. They gave me a tour of the center city, showing me the spots that would become all too familiar. We started at Place Plumereau, a restaurant plaza by day and a barcrawling one by night, and then proceeded to La Guinguette, a waterfront promenade with outdoor restaurants, bars, and beautiful views of the Loire River and its stunning bridges.
Each weekday was the same routine with my friends: French class in the morning, lunch at the boulangeries, more French classes in the afternoon, dinner at Place Plumereau, and, finally, La Guinguette at night. On the weekends, we would visit a chateau, go to a museum or art exhibit, and end with a night out on town, with our favorite places being a board game bar, a karaoke lounge, and a variety of nightclubs. Through these experiences, I formed treasured bonds with people from countries all over the globe, such as Spain, Kuwait, China, and Sweden. Some people spoke English, while others did not, so French essentially became our lingua franca. It never got boring, and this pattern was, in fact, charming.
Tours’ city structure made all of this possible in my eyes, designed with students from all over the world, like myself, in mind and allowing us to adapt to a new life within days. The streets are narrow and walkable, designed for pedestrians. Green spaces line the city, where I’d often have picnics or do my homework. A tram system runs across town, bike lanes extend to the countryside, and a central railway station connects the city to the rest of the Loire Valley and the entirety of France. Local stores and chains exist just steps away from apartments and other residences, and the cost of living still remains relatively low, a distinction between college towns in the United States and Europe. For such a small, student city, the purposeful design of the city resembled that of larger metropolises like Paris. All of this astounded me and helped me to live with ease on my own for the first time at seventeen years old, and this prepared me for future stays in Paris, Toulouse, and Nice.
Tours, in essence, taught me two main lessons. Firstly, a city with plazas, parks, and other spaces for social interaction, like nightlife spaces both indoors and outdoors, have the most potential for forming communities. Secondly, a city is not just its infrastructure and design but the people who make it special. By welcoming students and immigrants from a diverse range of backgrounds, Tours is a small gem in the middle of France that boasts a plethora of culture, life, and splendor. And this is why it has a special place in my heart, enough to have made me return for another incredible experience this past summer.
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