About
The Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours stands in the city of Tours, in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, at Rue Descartes in the 37000 postcode. It is a modern basilica, built in the 20th century over the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours, and it marks a place that was among the most important pilgrimage sites in medieval Europe.
What to see
The basilica is the focus of the visit. Its main draw is the tomb of Saint Martin, the saint who is also the patron of France, and the relics kept here link the building to that long tradition of devotion. Whether or not you come with a religious purpose, the sense of continuity around the tomb is the reason many visitors make the trip.
Planning your visit
- Location: Rue Descartes, 37000 Tours, in the heart of the city.
- Contact: +33 2 47 05 63 87, if you want to check arrangements before you go.
- Pace: A visit can be short, but allow time to take in the setting and the tomb at an unhurried pace.
Because the basilica sits in Tours itself, it is easy to combine with the rest of the city. Walking through the streets around it gives a fuller picture of the town that grew up around the saint's shrine over many centuries.
If you are interested in French religious history or in the pilgrim routes that once brought travellers across the country, this is a fitting place to stop. It suits a quiet, reflective half-day rather than a long excursion.
