🇫🇷 Tours, France
Hôtel Criden
📍 65 Boulevard Heurteloup , Tours, 37000
Photo: official website
Your stay — Hôtel Criden
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The Property — Hôtel Criden
Hôtel Criden is a tidy, no-fuss base in central Tours, a short walk from the cathedral and the Loire river. The lobby feels like a quiet, functional reception area in a clean 20th-century building — think practical rather than characterful, with friendly staff and a small breakfast room. It suits solo travellers or couples who want a straightforward, affordable spot to sleep well and explore the city on foot, without expecting boutique charm or a riverside view.
Chronicles of Tours
Tours grew from a Gallo-Roman settlement called Caesarodunum into a medieval capital of Touraine. Its skyline is dominated by the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, built over four centuries, and the half-timbered houses of the old town survive from the 15th–16th centuries. During the Renaissance, the city became a royal retreat, with châteaux like Chenonceau and Amboise just a short ride away. Today Tours is a regional hub of gastronomy and Loire Valley tourism, known for its lively market, university energy and excellent TGV connections to Paris.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tours guide →Best months
May, June, September — warm but not scorching, with long daylight hours and far fewer tourists than July–August. The gardens and châteaux are at their best.
Peak / festival surge
July (especially Bastille Day week) and August — school holidays flood the city and châteaux with families. Hotel prices can rise 30–50%, and July is also when the Tour de France often passes nearby.
Budget shoulder season
April and October — cooler but still pleasant, with sharply lower room rates and quiet streets. April can be rainy, October offers autumn foliage and harvest festivals.
Weather & packing
Tours has a temperate oceanic climate: summer days reach 25–30°C but can turn cool and rainy in a single afternoon. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and layers, plus comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets.
Live City Briefing — Tours
- The Tours tram line A extension to Chambray-lès-Tours is now fully operational, easing access to southern suburbs and the Vinci exhibition centre.
- The city has introduced a ban on most cars in the historic core (secteurs sauvegardés) on summer weekends; visitors arriving by car should pre-book parking at Vinci or Les Halles.
- The annual Tours Jazz Festival runs from late June to early July, with free concerts on Place Plumereau — expect lively outdoor crowds but no major disruption.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hôtel Criden, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard rather than the boulevard. These rooms are quieter and get better natural light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those directly overlooking Boulevard Heurteloup — street noise from traffic and trams is constant during the day and can persist late into the evening.
Best views
The upper floors on the boulevard side offer views across the street towards the train station and city rooftops, but the courtyard side gives a calmer outlook over the inner garden.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 tend to be quietest, as they sit above street-level bustle and below any roof machinery.
🔊 Noise notes
Boulevard Heurteloup carries steady traffic and tram vibrations until around 10pm. Weekend nights can see late revellers coming from nearby bars and restaurants. The station-side wing picks up train announcements at peak hours.
Insider tips
If you're driving, street parking is paid and fills up fast; the hotel often has a quieter side entrance off Rue de la Préfecture that bypasses the boulevard noise. Request a room on the courtyard side when booking — it's usually available by email and costs nothing extra.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hôtel Criden
Complimentary for all guests. No login required, open network. Speed is around 20 Mbps down — fine for browsing/email, less reliable for video calls in rooms farthest from the router.
One small lift serves all four floors. No stairs‑only sections — the stairwell is narrow but usable.
No digital newsstand. A print copy of La Nouvelle République is left in the lobby each morning. The building is a converted 19th‑century townhouse — original ironwork staircase in the entrance, but guest wings are modernised.
Check‑in from 15:00 to 21:00 (if arriving after 21:00, call ahead to arrange late arrival). Early bag drop is fine from 12:00. Late check‑out costs €25 until 14:00, after that no extension.
Free. Left behind the front desk in a locked area; no formal tag system but staff note the room number.
No step‑free entrance — there are two steps up from the street. The lift is just wide enough for a standard wheelchair, but the lift doors are 70 cm wide (tight for larger chairs). No accessible WC or shower. Guests with mobility needs should contact the hotel to discuss ground‑floor options.
No on‑site parking. The nearest public car park is Parking Wilson (Place du Général Leclerc, 200 m away), €12 for 24 hours. No EV charging at the hotel or in Wilson. Street parking is metered 09:00–19:00 Mon–Sat, free overnight and Sunday.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night (usually applied on top of room rate).
Deposit & card hold: Full pre-payment via credit card is taken when booking a non‑refundable rate; otherwise a €100 card imprint for incidentals is held at check‑in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: CristoVive (285 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint-Étienne (619 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Couvent des Dominicains (648 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Oratoire de la Sainte-Face (666 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Magasin Le Printemps;Printemps — 484 m · ~6 min walk
Square de la Préfecture — 448 m · ~6 min walk
Musée des Beaux-Arts — 809 m · ~10 min walk
Auditorium Descartes — 364 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
SG — 288 m · ~4 min walk
Pharmacie Vinci — 277 m · ~3 min walk
Carrefour City — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Tours — 249 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange desks for poor rates and fees.
Major credit/debit cards are widely accepted; contactless and Apple/Google Pay common in most shops and restaurants.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change (€1–2) for good service in restaurants – service is always included.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a café counter: €1.20–€1.50.
Formule déjeuner (starter+main or main+dessert) at a brasserie: around €12–€16.
Pizza or plat du jour: €12–€15 for a main course.
Crêperies and kebab shops in the city centre, especially around Place Plumereau; a filled crêpe is €5–€8.
Major chains: Carrefour, Leclerc, Lidl and Aldi within walking distance or a short bus ride.
Main high street: Rue Nationale has Zara, Uniqlo, H&M; markets (like Les Halles) for accessories.
Single bus/tram ticket €1.60; day pass €4.50 (Fil Bleu network). From Paris CDG: BlaBlaCar bus or OUIGO train to Tours station (walking distance).
1) Buy a carnet of 10 tram/bus tickets for €12.50 (saves €3.50). 2) Shop at marché couvert Les Halles for picnic supplies. 3) Free walking tours of the old town – tip what you like.
Good to know — Tours
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tours, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hôtel Criden
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · SG — 288 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Vinci — 277 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Aéroport Tours Val de Loire (bus stop 'Aéroport') → Gare de Tours (train station—200m walk to hotel)
💡 Buy a ticket at the automated machine near the stop (coins only) or via the Fil Bleu app. The bus drops at Gare de Tours: walk down Rue de la Gare—the hotel is opposite the station entrance.
Gare de Tours (tram stop 'Gare de Tours') → Various spots across Tours (e.g., Université, Charcot, Vaucanson)
💡 The tram is the best way to reach the old town (stop 'Place Jean Jaurès'—10 min walk) or the Palais des Congrès. Buy a 10-trip Carnet (€14.40) if staying multiple days—valid on bus and tram. Validate your ticket in the machine onboard.
Main French cities (e.g., Paris Montparnasse, Bordeaux, Lyon) → Gare de Tours (directly opposite the hotel)
💡 TGV from Paris Montparnasse takes 1h05—book at least 2 weeks ahead for €15–30 fares. The hotel is literally across the street from platform 1 exit. Avoid the slow TER regional trains from Paris (3 hours).
Tours Val de Loire Airport → BestWestern Plus L'Artist Hôtel (1 Rue de la Gare, Tours Centre)
💡 Fixed-rate taxi stand outside arrivals; confirm price before getting in. The hotel is 10 minutes from the airport by the D910 road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hôtel Criden?
Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard rather than the boulevard. These rooms are quieter and get better natural light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hôtel Criden?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those directly overlooking Boulevard Heurteloup — street noise from traffic and trams is constant during the day and can persist late into the evening.
Is Hôtel Criden noisy?
Boulevard Heurteloup carries steady traffic and tram vibrations until around 10pm. Weekend nights can see late revellers coming from nearby bars and restaurants. The station-side wing picks up train announcements at peak hours.
Which rooms have the best views at Hôtel Criden?
The upper floors on the boulevard side offer views across the street towards the train station and city rooftops, but the courtyard side gives a calmer outlook over the inner garden.
What are insider tips for staying at Hôtel Criden?
If you're driving, street parking is paid and fills up fast; the hotel often has a quieter side entrance off Rue de la Préfecture that bypasses the boulevard noise. Request a room on the courtyard side when booking — it's usually available by email and costs nothing extra.
What time is check-in at Hôtel Criden?
Check-in at Hôtel Criden is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hôtel Criden have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary for all guests. No login required, open network. Speed is around 20 Mbps down — fine for browsing/email, less reliable for video calls in rooms farthest from the router.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hôtel Criden?
€1.50 per person per night (usually applied on top of room rate).
Where can I eat cheaply near Hôtel Criden?
Formule déjeuner (starter+main or main+dessert) at a brasserie: around €12–€16.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hôtel Criden?
Single bus/tram ticket €1.60; day pass €4.50 (Fil Bleu network). From Paris CDG: BlaBlaCar bus or OUIGO train to Tours station (walking distance).
When is the best time to visit Tours?
May, June, September — warm but not scorching, with long daylight hours and far fewer tourists than July–August. The gardens and châteaux are at their best.
Top Attractions in Tours
💡 Skip the tourist-trap crêperies near the fountain. Head to 'Le Vieux Mûrier' on the north side for a decent galette at €10. The square is busiest between 19:00 and 21:00.
💡 Step behind the altar to see the 13th-century 'Tree of Jesse' window. Climb the north tower for a view of the Loire (small fee, but the nave is free).
💡 Go to the crypt (free) to see the original tomb. The Sunday morning mass at 10:30 includes a small choir—worth timing your visit.
💡 Visit in spring when the magnolias are in bloom. The greenhouse is only open on weekend afternoons.
💡 The permanent collection is free every first Sunday of the month. The garden's cedar of Lebanon, planted in 1804, is worth a look.