Student accommodation in Tours
Are you looking for student accommodation in Tours? Good news: this city in the heart of the Centre region is designed for student life. Imagine your studio apartment ideally located between campus and downtown, a stone's throw from the tram, train station, and shops. Here, the University of Tours (Université François Rabelais), IUT Tours Nord, and the Deux-Lions campus put you in close proximity to classes, parks, and places to hang out. The transport network connects you quickly to lively neighborhoods such as Velpeau, Vieux-Tours, and Saint-Symphorien, while Saint-Pierre-des-Corps provides access to the TGV for stress-free travel. The result: more time for your studies, your social life, and your projects. Ready to discover the neighborhoods, tips, and practical guide to choosing your student accommodation in the ideal location?
Student life in Tours: figures and atmosphere
Focus on the number of students and the city's appeal
Welcome to the city of Tours, in the heart of the Centre-Val de Loire region, a place where student life is thriving. There are more than 30,000 students from France and around the world. The University of Tours François Rabelais structures a lively higher education ecosystem, with numerous schools and courses.
Tours appeals with its human scale, lively city center, Les Halles market, local shops, and accessible cultural venues. The city offers a true “all-in-one” solution: a convenient transportation network, campuses located close to where people live, and a lower overall cost of living than in large cities. You can study better and enjoy yourself more, without wasting time commuting.
Proximity to campuses
The campuses are ideally located and well connected. The IUT Tours Nord welcomes many young people in technological fields, with easy access from the north bank. The Tanneurs campus, right in the center, brings together the arts and humanities in close proximity to libraries, the tram, and the train station. The Deux-Lions hub brings together science, Polytech Tours, and a shopping center in a green space near the Parc de la Gloriette. The health sites, between Bretonneau and Trousseau, connect the university, hospital, and higher education. Wherever you are, you are close to a campus, shops, and meeting places.
Student life and leisure: What to do in Tours?
Student life in Tours is based on a simple balance: serious studies, light-hearted outings, and lasting friendships. The Loire River runs through the city like a daily promenade. After class, you can head to a park, a café on Place Plumereau, or a cultural venue, all within easy reach by tram.
Cultural activities
Between the Museum of Fine Arts, the Center for Contemporary Creation, the Grand Théâtre, MAME, and the cinemas, there is a wide range of activities available and accessible to students. In summer, the guinguettes on the Loire transform the quays into a meeting place. On weekends, you can explore the heritage, check out concerts, or cycle along the Loire à Vélo. The University of Tours, through its university services, often shares useful information on reduced rates and cultural tips.
Nightlife and meeting places
Nightlife is concentrated around Vieux-Tours. Place Plum' is home to bars, terraces, and music venues. The banks of the Loire, the Halles district, and the center offer a variety of atmospheres, from quiet pubs to dance bars. The mix of schools, the IUT (University Institute of Technology), bachelor's and master's degrees creates a warm atmosphere where it's easy to meet people. Here, every evening starts near a campus and often ends a stone's throw from home.
Which neighborhood is best for accommodation?
Key neighborhoods and brief description
If you want to do everything on foot, the city center and the Cathedral district are a safe bet: they are very close to the tram, Tours train station, and libraries. Velpeau offers a lively market and direct access to trains. Vieux-Tours attracts visitors with its medieval streets and lively atmosphere, but its central location can be more in demand. The newer Deux-Lions neighborhood has a campus, shopping center, and green spaces, making it perfect if your classes are located there. On the north bank, Sainte-Radegonde and Saint-Symphorien offer peace and quiet, reasonable rents, and quick access to the IUT Tours Nord via the bridge and tram. Further south, Grammont and Sanitas are still close to the center and the transport network.
Travel tips and public transport
The transport network makes life easier. Tram lines connect north and south, with direct access to the main campuses and the center. Buses provide excellent coverage depending on the neighborhood. Tours train station serves the region and France, while the nearby Saint-Pierre-des-Corps TGV station opens up the world of high-speed travel for getting home or going to your internship. Bike paths run along the Loire River and through parks; cycling is often the fastest way to get around downtown. By combining tram, bike, and walking, you can keep your budget low and maximize your study time. It's simple: here, your housing is not a hindrance, but a springboard.
