Gay Guide to Tours
France legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, and Tours, an elegant university city at the heart of the château-dotted Loire Valley, offers a small but pleasant queer scene to go with its Renaissance surroundings. It's an easygoing base for exploring the region.
La Petite Chose, serving the community since 2003, is the city's dedicated gay bar and the anchor of local nightlife.
A gay-and-mixed sex club and a scattering of gay-friendly venues round out the modest scene.
Tours won't rival Paris for nightlife, but its student energy and welcoming spirit make it a comfortable stop on a Loire itinerary.