TOURS, tour. A city of France, the capital of the Department of Indrc-et-Loire. It is 147 miles southwest of Paris, in the rich level valley of the Loire, on the left bank of that stream, and extends two miles southward to the Cher (Map: France, G -1). The pleasant situation and the equable climate attract many English and Ameri can families as sojourners. Two great lines of boulevards, extending throughout the city, cross at its geographical centre, where the modern Palace of Justice adorns a fine square. In this square stands Fournier's bronze statue of l%alzac. The famous Atately French-Gothic Cathedral of Tours rises in the northeastern part of the city, near the river. It dates from 1170, was finished about 1550, and is exceptionally complete as to execution. The flamboyant turreted facade is sumptuous, and the rose window is of an ex quisite pattern. Near the centre of the city are the striking detached towers of Saint Martin and Charlemagne—remains of the celebrated Church of Saint Martin marking the site of the tomb of the saint. The church was rebuilt about the twelfth century in splendid proportions. The
structure was torn down in 1802, making way for a street. Near by the new Basilica of Saint Martin is being built. The ruined chateau Ples sis-les-Tours, identified with the life of Louis Xl., and known to the lovers of Scott, lies just southwest of Tours.
The city has an art school, a large and a small seminary, the College de Saint Louis de Gonzaga, and a drawing school. The public library con tains 100.000 volumes; also 1800 manuscripts, some of which are precious. In the arehiepiscopal palace is a museum of archaeology, paleontology, art, coins, etc. The Museum of Tours, near the river, has some 500 pictures of small value and collections of sculptures, enamels, antiquities, etc. The city has manufactures of steel, ma chinery, iron implements, silk stuffs, corsets, leather, confectionery, painted glass, pottery, and chemicals. There are printing works. The trade is very active, both by rail and by river. The population of the commune in 1901 was 58, d09.