From the elegant facades of the historic center to the bustling indoor markets that have served locals for generations, Tours offers a retail landscape that feels distinctly French. This is not a city defined by massive, impersonal malls, but rather by characterful boutiques, artisan workshops, and gourmet food halls. Situated in the heart of the Loire Valley, it serves as the commercial and cultural capital of the Touraine region, making it a magnet for those seeking authentic goods.
The shopping experience here is intrinsically linked to the French concept of art de vivre—the art of living well. Whether you are hunting for a vintage silk scarf, a bottle of locally produced Vouvray wine, or a hand-bound notebook, the city invites you to slow down and browse. The pedestrianized streets of the old town make wandering from shop to shop a genuine pleasure rather than a chore.
Visitors will quickly notice that chain stores are balanced by a strong presence of independent retailers who take immense pride in their curation. This emphasis on quality over quantity means you are likely to find items here that simply cannot be purchased anywhere else in the world. It is a destination where the story behind the product is as valuable as the item itself.
For gastronomes, Tours is a paradise of specialty food stores where the region’s famous rillettes, goat cheeses, and dried fruits are displayed like jewels. For fashion lovers, the city offers everything from high-end French labels to quirky vintage finds. Understanding the layout of the city’s distinct shopping quarters is key to making the most of your time and budget.
To help you navigate this rich commercial tapestry, we have curated a list of the twelve best shopping spots that capture the essence of Tours. This guide focuses on locations that offer the highest concentration of quality, atmosphere, and local authenticity. Whether you are looking for a souvenir to take home or a wardrobe refresh, these destinations provide the best retail therapy in the city.
Below is our selection of the premier destinations you should not miss during your visit to the capital of Touraine.
L'Heure Tranquille
| Address | 59 Av. Marcel Mérieux, 37200 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 02 47 25 26 65 |
Nice place to spend some time with friends, the CGR cinema is nice. Always great to have a cold drink by the pond in summer. 😎
This is an open mall and it's an interesting concept. However during winters it gets too cold to go to this mall. The fountain in the centre is decorated according to the seasons and that's a fantastic thing about this mall. Last winter there was this massive Christmas tree and a huge teddy bear.. For summer the poppy flowers you see in the picture.. I love hanging out here and trying some cafe with donuts or may be a quick lunch at subway.. ☺☺
For sure, one of the most enjoyable shopping center, half open, with a large choice of restaurants, near by the tram (15 minutes from the old town) and cool energy.
It is a very nice place to chill and walk around, many restaurants and shops. With a fountain in the middle
Many Restaurants, clothing and shoe shops and a supermarket. Banks nearby and a pharmacy. McDonald's, cinema and fitness center nearby. Along with Tram and Bus services
Galerie Nationale
| Address | 72 Rue Nationale, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 02 47 61 65 65 |
Deceptive from the street, it looks like a normal store with a shop sized entrance and nothing to indicate what awaits beyond. Once inside a world of chic shops and tech stores hide inside! An ideal retreat on a cold day. Escalators between floors
Only bathrooms are paid and I didn't have change but they would not let my daughter use the facilities and we're very rude.
A great place , missing a electrical outlet
Top
Interesting shops. Worth a walk through
Galeries Lafayette Tours
| Address | 77 Rue Nationale, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 02 47 31 28 28 |
I would like to share an experience that unfortunately seems to be quite common at Galeries Lafayette Tours, and one of the reasons why I try to avoid visiting the store whenever I am in town.
One of the sales assistants a young blonde woman, if I remember correctly, from the beauty section was repeatedly following me around the store. There was no greeting or discreet interaction; instead, she followed me closely before eventually approaching me and saying, in a rather abrupt manner: “Madam, you need to leave your basket here or go to the checkout. You cannot look at the jewellery with your basket.”
There is absolutely nothing wrong with informing customers of store policies or giving them directions. However, there is a proper way to address customers, and basic courtesy and discretion should be observed.
Following a customer closely without any discretion, not even greeting them, and then loudly calling them out across the store as though we were at a fish market is simply unacceptable. It creates a very unpleasant shopping experience and makes the customer feel as though they are being treated with suspicion rather than welcomed into the store.
What is particularly unfortunate is that I had actually planned to add a piece of jewellery to my original purchase. However, after this experience, I decided to purchase it elsewhere instead.
That said, I would like to highlight the excellent service provided by the gentlemen in the shoe department. They were polite, helpful, knowledgeable and genuinely pleasant to deal with.
Please do better, because the level of customer service seems to be getting worse and worse.
Here is a very expensive department store. During the sales twice a year, they offer 20 to 70% off many products and they still make a profit: meaning that during the year their profit margin is extraordinary(revenue over €1.5 billion yearly). The French people(January 2019) are sick of the government, taxes and big companies ripping them off. They barricade the building but that won't stop angry frenchmen.
Very good store . Prices are very affordable. Great staff Paul @ the cash counter .
First of all I appreciate the staff, very kind and friendly. Impeccably arranged store, very good location.
Great selection of goods and good prices.
Very friendly and excellent customer service at the top. Filling in Tax Refund for the UK was easy.
Would definitely come back and see more of the store.
Passage du Palais
| Address | 19 Pl. Jean Jaurès, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:45 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:45 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:45 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:45 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:45 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:45 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Phone | 02 47 61 84 32 |
I enjoy the market! Each Sunday of the 4th week of the month, there is a second hand open market with impressive antiques from around the world on site…Persian, west European, Chinese, etc. you name it…
They also have a food corner with different stalls at cheap prices. Go check it like a mini shopping mall sometimes music and mime and other stuff going on. Meeting point for locals I guess.
Large free car parking. Almost everything is available here. Please do not expect friendly staff in France.
Auchan inside. Nice little space with a toy shop too.
Old shopping mall with a supermarket, a few shops and a very tight underground paid parking.
Les Halles de Tours
| Address | 1 Pl. Gaston Paillhou, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Phone | 02 47 39 04 89 |
Amazing indoor market.
Cooked, preserved and fresh meats. Baked goods. Cheeses. Fruits and Vegetables. Condiments.
The market doesn't just have a little of everything, it has a LOT of everything. Amazing selections, breadth and depth.
An interesting place to wander around and buy fresh produce. I've never seen so much cheese in one place! 🧀
I lived in Tours 46 years ago as a student and this place was our go to for food. It is now more refined but still as beautiful with stunning food available. So worth a visit for the cheeses and veg alone. Loved it 😊
Lots of fresh fruit, meat & foodstuffs. Perhaps a bit pricier , but the quality is probably higher. Bought myself a beef bahn-mi …on a baguette! 🙂 when in France….
Great place to shop for food
Les Halles
| Address | 14 Rue Henri Barbusse, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Phone | — |
Top
Easy access parking, typical defects, puddles when it rains
A great market atmosphere
Alright
Centre Commercial Les Atlantes
| Address | Av. Jacques Duclos, 37700 Saint-Pierre-des-Corps |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | — |
I like the atmosphere of the Centre Les Atlantes where my family can visit many shops and an excellent Pharmacy store. Every week I do shopping at Carrefour ( I love an offer " 1 kilo of Madeleine " at about 3 EURO and a skotch at about 0.90 EURO/ item). As for the Pharmacy -it proposes the cheapest Fervex (2 boxes of Fervex here costs 9.90 EURO) .I think for my family now this is the best offer in our Region. I strongly recommend Les Atlantes to all my friends.
Actually really nice place! It feels spacious, there are many shops, and its easy to park with all the available places.
A large shopping centre with many well known outlets, with a large outdoor and covered car park not many food outlets here though, Paul's and burger King being the best known
Big Carrefour, out of town mall, easy access and plenty parking. Includes H&M women only, Kiko, Burger King...
Its a nice place very good for all kind of shopping from consumer goods to electronics and it has a very big parking space.
Espace Commercial de l'Horloge
| Address | 22 ter Rue Maréchal Joffre, 37100 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:30 – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:30 – 7:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:30 – 7:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:30 – 7:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | — |
Its a large supermarket so is well stocked and has a large range of products. There is also a petrol station near by should you drive. Car parking is free and trolleys require 1 euro or a quid.
This is a shopping mall and zone in the north of Tours city anchored by Auchan (like a Walmart but with much more fine food than dry goods) and Darty (like a BestBuy). There are also other major retailers close to it like Leroy Merlin (like Home Depot). On a direct bus line #2 from Tours train station.
Great combination of shops - banks, clothing shops, chemist, restaurants and a huge Auchan. Huge parking space
Usual chain shops, plus a few independants
Good shop
La Petite Arche
| Address | 288B Av. André Maginot, 37100 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Phone | — |
Top
A pleasant place for shopping, Auchan supermarket.
Service et emplacement impeccable
Nice variety of shops.
Mediocre
Printemps Tours
| Address | 24 Rue De Bordeaux, 17 Bd Heurteloup, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 02 47 31 32 33 |
Of course, a large store with a wide range of luxury brands but also with brands at affordable prices. Beautifully arranged, with beautiful windows that draw you in, with very kind sellers and always ready to help you choose what suits you. Ideal to visit during the discount period.
Come here in August for 50% sale on great brands. We mostly shop for the kids here but you'll find men's and women's wear as well of course, also at great discounts. Service is great, but be aware that you might need to take the stairs as the escalators only go up, not down.
A great shop shoes ,bags clothes kids man woman ,and for house hold goods too
Do not expect a toilet in this "shopping centre".
J adore
Shop Vintage
| Address | 24 Rue du Commerce, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 09 50 96 79 72 |
Top
Super !
Honestly, I've rarely been to a vintage shop where someone actually cared about the customers. But there, the welcome was fantastic, the advice was great, she really knew her stuff. So even though it wasn't originally for me, I still left with some clothes.
A vintage boutique where you can find real gems (blouses, in my case).
The clothes and accessories are good quality, and there's a wide variety of choices.
The place is very well-maintained (not cluttered), and it has a pleasant atmosphere.
The owners are friendly and offer excellent advice.
I recommend it and I'll be back.
Very expensive clothes for clothes with no style, for example, a very old and ugly ski jacket for 30 euros that doesn't even have any shape anymore. Basically, you could get a coat for 2 euros at Emmaus. As someone who loves vintage, I'm disappointed to see a shop like this, which doesn't cater to people looking for style, not secondhand clothes.
galerie Le Grand Passage
| Address | Gal du Grand Passage, 37000 Tours |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
I have always loved this place, which I have known since my childhood.
Very nice, the place has a very vintage feel. The framer is excellent and does great work. The shoe seller is also very friendly and offers comfortable, high-quality shoes.
Smart Shopping Tips for Tours
Navigating the retail scene in Tours is a delight, but a little local knowledge can significantly enhance your experience. The city operates on a rhythm that balances modern convenience with traditional French customs, and understanding these nuances will help you shop like a local rather than a tourist. Here are some essential strategies to ensure you get the best value and enjoyment out of your visit.
- Respect the Lunchtime Closure: Many independent boutiques and specialty shops in Tours close for a two-hour lunch break, typically from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Plan your shopping for the morning or late afternoon to avoid finding the shutters down on the shops you most want to visit.
- Bring Your Own Bags: In line with French environmental laws, plastic bags are largely a thing of the past. While shops offer paper bags or reusable totes for a small fee, bringing a sturdy canvas tote or backpack is more practical, especially if you plan to buy wine or heavy food items.
- Visit Markets Early: If your shopping itinerary includes the outdoor markets, aim to arrive before 10:00 AM. This is when the produce is freshest, the selection is largest, and you can interact with vendors before the crowds arrive. It is also the best time to secure the most sought-after pastries and cheeses.
- Know the Tax Refund Rules: For non-EU residents, most purchases over €100 in a single store on the same day qualify for a VAT refund (détaxe). Always carry your passport when shopping, as the retailer will need it to process the necessary paperwork for your refund at the airport or border.
- Learn Basic French Pleasantries: While many shopkeepers in central Tours speak some English, beginning every interaction with "Bonjour" (Hello) and ending with "Merci, au revoir" (Thank you, goodbye) is non-negotiable etiquette. This small effort is highly appreciated and often leads to warmer, more personalized service.
The true magic of shopping in Tours lies not just in the acquisition of goods, but in the experience of discovering them. The city rewards the curious, offering hidden courtyards and narrow lanes that hide some of the most remarkable artisan workshops. By taking your time and engaging with the people behind the counters, you gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and heritage of the Loire Valley.
Whether you leave with a suitcase full of local wine or simply a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, the memories of wandering these historic streets will linger long after you return home. Tours proves that shopping can be a cultural activity in its own right, connecting you directly to the heart of French provincial life.
