Tours is a special place for those with devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It was in this central French city in 1843 that a Carmelite nun, Sister Marie of St Peter reported a vision which started the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. The Golden Arrow Prayer was first made public by her in Tours.

The Venerable Leo Dupont also known as ‘The Holy Man of Tours’ lived in the city at about the same time. In 1849 he started the nightly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Tours, from where it spread within France. Upon hearing of Sister Marie of St Peter’s reported visions, he started to burn a vigil lamp continuously before a picture of the Holy Face of Jesus and helped spread this popular devotional practice. In 1958 the devotion was eventually approved by Pope Pius XII who formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday. The Oratory of the Holy Face on Rue St. Etienne in Tours receives many pilgrims every year.

The city is renowned world-wide as the final resting place of Saint Martin of Tours. The saint’s relics can be venerated in the city’s basilica.

The city also boasts stunning medieval architecture and one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France.