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The Tours Christmas market 2026 opens on Friday 27 November and closes on Sunday 27 December, according to the listings of Touraine Val de Loire, the official tourist board of the Indre-et-Loire department. Stalls are spread over three squares in the city centre, with around ten wooden chalets on each. Entry is free and the chalets open every day from 11am. Here are the dates, opening hours, locations and practical tips for visitors.
The Tours Christmas market returns for a full month this winter. First, note the two key dates: it opens on Friday 27 November 2026 and closes on Sunday 27 December 2026. These dates appear in the official Touraine Val de Loire events listing. Touraine Val de Loire is the tourist board of the department, the French administrative area around Tours.
In addition, Tours sits in the heart of the Loire Valley, so the market is also an easy stop on a trip to the châteaux. For this reason, the city is the main gateway to the region by train.
When is the Tours Christmas market in 2026?
The market runs from Friday 27 November to Sunday 27 December 2026. In total, that is just over four weeks, including four full weekends. It also stays open for two days after Christmas.
French school Christmas holidays start on Saturday 19 December 2026 in all three school zones. As a result, the last week of the market is likely to be busier, especially with families.
However, the official listing does not give special hours for 24 and 25 December. After all, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are major family days in France, so check with the city or the tourist office before travelling on those dates.
What are the opening hours?
According to Touraine Val de Loire, the chalets follow a simple weekly timetable:
- Monday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm;
- Friday and Saturday: 11am to 9pm;
- Sunday: 11am to 8pm.
So Friday and Saturday evenings give you an extra hour, when the city lights are at their best. By contrast, weekday afternoons are usually quieter. Entry is free; you only pay for what you buy.
Where is the Tours Christmas market?
The market is not on a single square. Instead, it is spread over three separate sites in the city centre, each with around ten chalets:
- Boulevard Heurteloup, in front of Tours railway station;
- Place de la Résistance;
- Place Anatole-France, on the banks of the Loire.
Fortunately, the three sites are a short walk apart along Rue Nationale, the main shopping street. On the way, you pass the city hall on Place Jean-Jaurès. Overall, allow an hour or two for the full walk, including breaks.
What was on in 2025, and what to expect in 2026?
The detailed 2026 programme has not yet been published on the official websites we checked. As a guide, the Tours tourist office described a food village, a 40-metre big wheel and a roller-skating track for the 2025 edition.
However, there is no guarantee these attractions will return in the same form. The layout has also changed slightly: in 2025 the chalets were on Boulevard Heurteloup and Place de la Résistance, while Place Anatole-France is added for 2026.
To compare with other cities, see our guide to French Christmas markets in 2026, city by city.
How to get there
Boulevard Heurteloup runs alongside Tours station, so arriving by train is the easiest option, especially at weekends. The city centre is also served by the tram and the Fil Bleu bus network.
If you drive, however, central car parks fill up quickly on Saturdays in December. Therefore, it is best to arrive before midday or come on a weekday. Check public transport times and parking prices on the city’s website.
Thinking of running a stall yourself? Our guide to the rules for Christmas market stallholders in France explains the permits involved.
Tours Christmas market: key takeaways
- Dates: Friday 27 November to Sunday 27 December 2026.
- Locations: Boulevard Heurteloup, Place de la Résistance and Place Anatole-France, with around ten chalets on each site.
- Hours: 11am-8pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 11am-9pm Friday and Saturday.
- Free entry; check opening on 24 and 25 December.
- The 2026 entertainment programme has not yet been published by official sources.
Sources: Touraine Val de Loire, “Noël à Tours – Marché de Noël” listing, accessed 7 November 2026; Tours tourist office (2025 edition); City of Tours. Featured photo: Pascal Bernardon / Unsplash.
