Hôtel de l'Univers Tours is a four-star heritage hotel standing on the Boulevard Heurteloup in the heart of Tours, capital of Indre-et-Loire and the main gateway to the Loire Valley châteaux of Centre-Val de Loire, France. Operating since 1846, it is one of the oldest continuously running hotels in Touraine and occupies a handsome Second-Empire building within a short walk of Tours Cathedral, the half-timbered streets of the Vieux-Quartier, and the Loire riverfront. As a Best Western Premier member, the property combines period atmosphere with reliably modern amenities and professional service. The 85 rooms and suites are individually styled and span Classic doubles, Superior rooms, and Junior Suites with separate sitting areas; all feature comfortable beds, flat-screen televisions, and well-equipped bathrooms. The hotel restaurant, Les Saveurs, serves classic Touraine cuisine — Tours-style rillettes, Loire pike-perch, Sainte-Maure goat's cheese — accompanied by an extensive Loire Valley wine list covering Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil, and Sancerre. A bar in a wood-panelled room adorned with autographed celebrity photographs reflects the hotel's long history as a gathering place for notable visitors to the city; the collection spans more than a century of prominent guests. Meeting and seminar facilities serve business travellers, and the central tram stop directly outside the main entrance provides easy access to the TGV station at Tours Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, where high-speed trains to Paris Montparnasse depart approximately every 30 minutes. The concierge team assists with château excursions, Loire à Vélo cycling day trips, wine-tasting tours, and restaurant reservations across the city. Tours Old Town, with its renowned restaurant and bar district centred on the Place Plumereau, is a 15-minute walk west along the riverfront boulevard, making the hotel equally practical for culinary travellers as for heritage sightseers. Tours consistently ranks among the most vibrant cities in the Loire Valley and provides an excellent, well-connected base for multi-day exploration of the surrounding châteaux, wine villages, and river landscapes of Touraine.
Room types
- Classic rooms
- Superior rooms
- Junior Suites
Amenities
- Restaurant Les Saveurs
- Bar
- Concierge
- Meeting rooms
- WiFi
- Central location
Location
5 Boulevard Heurteloup, 37000 Tours, France
47.3936, 0.6924 View on map
Highlights
- Historic 1846 hotel on the main boulevard in central Tours, minutes from the TGV station
- Restaurant Les Saveurs serving Touraine specialities with a Loire Valley wine list
- Walking distance from Tours Cathedral, Vieux-Quartier half-timbered streets, and Loire riverfront
- Best Western Premier member with professional concierge and Loire excursion services
- Celebrity-portrait bar with a century of signed photographs from notable guests
Tips for visiting
- TGV services from Paris Montparnasse reach Tours in under one hour — book rail tickets several weeks in advance for best fares.
- Request a courtyard-facing room for the quietest nights; boulevard rooms have more natural light but some street noise.
- The Saturday morning market at Les Halles de Tours is a 5-minute walk and ideal for buying Loire cheeses and charcuterie.
- Several public car parks are within a 5-minute walk of the hotel; the concierge can advise on current rates.
- Tours' Place Plumereau wine-bar district is liveliest from 6 pm onward and is a 15-minute walk west.
Accessibility
The hotel entrance is at street level and a lift serves all guest-room floors. Some older rooms feature step-over bath configurations rather than walk-in showers; guests with specific mobility requirements should mention their needs when booking to secure the most suitable room.
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Frequently asked questions
How far is the hotel from Tours Saint-Pierre-des-Corps TGV station?
The TGV station is approximately 1.5 km from the hotel, reachable by tram (Line A, stop Jean Jaurès) in about 5 minutes, or by a 10-minute taxi ride.
Does the hotel have private parking?
The hotel does not have its own car park. Several public car parks are within a 5-minute walk. The concierge can provide directions and current parking rates on arrival.
What Loire Valley châteaux can be visited as day trips from Tours?
Chenonceau (35 km), Amboise (25 km), Villandry (18 km), and Azay-le-Rideau (26 km) are all within easy day-trip distance by car, taxi, or organised excursion. The concierge can arrange guided tours and private transfers.
Is the restaurant open daily?
Restaurant Les Saveurs serves lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are recommended on weekends and throughout the summer high season.