Journées Européennes du Patrimoine

This weekend was the 'Journées Européennes du Patrimoine', which meant that museums and galleries opened for free and various buildings that are not normally open to the public were opened for these two days. Although they are 'Journées Européennes du Patrimoine', the idea has been around in France for a lot longer than in many countries, and as this year was also the centenary of important French heritage protection laws, there was lots organised for Tours.

Unfortunately on Saturday there was torrential rain all day, so we eventually abandoned the idea of walking into town, so instead I went to look at the enormous cemetery near my halls and to look at the war memorials there. Luckily the weather picked up on Sunday so me and two other British Erasmus students went to have a look around. First we went to the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Touraine, a very grand old building used for business tribunals, which it's usually not possible to look around as it is still in use to this day! After a pause to eat crêpes we went to the Musée Saint-Martin, which was really interesting, I hadn't realised how important Tours used to be as a place for religion and pilgrimages. Finally, and with very sore feet, we looked around the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which I had been really wanting to do. I think I'll return for a second look when it's less busy, and to have a look around the gardens, but it was a lovely day and it was nice to make the most of the opportunities.

My camera played up on the second day, but here are some of my photos and some of Rhianna's:

Cemetery

 War memorial

 WWI graves

Memorial for British soldier from the Yorkshire regiment

 Graves of members of the French Resistance during WWII

Palais du Commerce

Inside Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Touraine

Inside Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Touraine

 

View of St. Gatien's Cathedral from window of Musée des Beaux-Arts