The city of Tours, may be divided into two compartments, the ancient and the modern.
The modern portion is no less distinguished for its neatness and elegance, than is the ancient for its antique character, and the number of monuments it contains, illustrative of the histories of remote ages.
Tours, now head quarters of the department of Indre-et-Loire, was before the revolution, the capital of Touraine, and the seat of the governors; it is one of the most ancient archbishoprics of France, and the station of the fourth military division.
Chroniclers have never been able to give a precise date and name to the foundation and the founder of Tours.
When Cæsar made his expedition into Gaul, it was the Civitas Turonum so often mentioned in the commentaries of the conquering historian. Conquest, however, gave the city another name, and the Romans called it Cessarodunum. It fell alternately into the power of the Goths and the Francs. In 732 Charles-Martel gained under its walls a celebrated victory over the Saracens, who attracted by the mildness of the climate tried to fix their wandering tents in its smiling plains: but it was only in 1202 after having suffered all the miseries of barbarism that Tours was at last reunited to the crown of France.
This city was become so important by its central position and the resources of its environs, that in the space of less than a century, from 1470 to 1506, the states general assembled in it three times. Henry 3rd, pressed by the League, transferred the parliament to it in 1587. If we believe the ancient chroniclers whom Froissart and Monstrelet copied, the city of Tours had a much more ancient origin. It is to a great prince named Turnus, who after the siege of Troy came into Gaul and died not far from this city, where, say these chroniclers, his tomb has long been seen, that Tours owes its origin and its name.
Tours and its neighbourhood afford many resources for the active and agreeable employment of the mind. It has long been pre-eminently distinguished for the agrémens of its society. Elegance and urbanity characterize the demeanour of the native noblesse; the British residents and visitants are composed of the most respectable grades, amongst whom, a reciprocation of friendly intercourse is cherished with perhaps more than the ordinary assiduity so generally productive of affable association among the English abroad.
The French language is considered to be spoken in its greatest purity in Touraine, a desideratum of much consequence to persons who resort to France for the education of their children, and it may also be proper to remark that there is a classical establishment for young gentlemen in the immediate vicinity of the city. Tours also possesses a library containing some valuable MSS., some of which are of the sixth century, a museum of painting and natural history, a college, a society of agriculture, science, art, and belles-lettres, a theatre, excellent baths, and extensive umbrageous promenades. There are two English episcopal chapels, one in Tours, and the other but recently opened is situated on the Tranchée; an English club has long been established; which is now supported with great spirit and liberality, affording all the usual attractions of such institutions, and where many of the English newspapers are daily received.
The theatre is frequently open, and balls and routs prevail during the winter season. The hôtels are replete with every comfort and accommodation.
Tours also possesses an excellent English boarding house; and elegant houses, villas and châteaux, well furnished, are to be readily obtained in the town and its environs. All kinds of provisions are exceedingly plentiful, which with the numerous fruits and wines are to be obtained at very moderate prices.