Cathédrale Saint-Gatien

The Cathédrale Saint-Gatien dominates the old centre of Tours, its two towers rising above the streets near the Loire. It is dedicated to Gatien, traditionally regarded as the first bishop of Tours in the third century, and the building itself took centuries to complete, with work running from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. As a result it offers a compact lesson in the evolution of French Gothic, from the austere early style of the choir to the exuberant flamboyant decoration of the western facade.

The east end, with the choir and its ring of chapels, belongs to the thirteenth century, and it contains the cathedral's most precious feature: a set of medieval stained glass windows. The glass is among the finest in the Loire Valley, with deep blues and reds that fill the choir with colour on bright days. The transepts and nave came later, and the western facade, made of pale stone with tracery, pinnacles and carved ornament, shows the late style that has given the cathedral its distinctive silhouette. The tops of the towers carry Renaissance domes, a reminder that the work lasted into the reign of the Valois kings.

One of the main treasures inside is the marble tomb of the two young children of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany, who died in infancy. The tomb was made around 1500 and is attributed to the workshop of the sculptor Michel Colombe, a leading artist of the Loire region. The monument sits in the nave and is moving in its simplicity. The cathedral also has a Renaissance organ case, and its large rose windows add to the sense of light.

Outside, the Cloître de la Psalette, a cloister of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries beside the cathedral, is worth finding for its quiet atmosphere and carved details. It was used by the cathedral's choir school.

Tours was a major pilgrimage destination because of Saint Martin, and the Basilique Saint-Martin in the city recalls that history, while the cathedral records the later development of the church in the city. As a living place of worship, the cathedral holds services regularly, and visitors should consider that when walking around. Entry is free, and one to two hours is enough to see the interior and walk around the exterior.

It suits architecture enthusiasts, those exploring Loire Valley churches and travellers staying in Tours who have an afternoon free. Nearby sights include the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, which is in the former archbishop's palace beside the cathedral, and the lively Place Plumereau.