H么tel Gouin (Gouin House), Tours
The Gouin House (H么tel Go眉in), located in Tours, is a historic mansion with a rich architectural and cultural history. Built in the 15th century, the mansion was mistakenly believed to have been the residence of Jean de Xaincoings, a treasurer for Charles VII. However, historical records clarify that its original owner was Ren茅 Gardette, a descendant of a prominent silk merchant family from Tours.
In the 16th century, the facade of the building underwent significant modifications, including the addition of a porch and loggia in the early Renaissance style, as well as a new left wing. Notably, the sub-basement of the H么tel Go眉in preserves remnants from the Gallo-Roman period, linking it to the ancient past of the region.
The building's modern name derives from the Go眉in family, affluent Breton bankers who acquired it in 1738. They made substantial improvements, such as adding a balcony over the rear courtyard, demolishing adjacent houses to enlarge the southern yard, and constructing a new entry gate. These modifications significantly altered the building's structure and appearance.
World War II brought devastation to the H么tel Go眉in when it was nearly destroyed by bombings in 1944, leaving only the facade standing. The 1950s saw partial restoration efforts, primarily focusing on the main accommodation and the entrance, though the original garden and north yard were lost and never restored.
Today, the building is home to the Go眉in Museum and previously housed the Touraine Archeological Society. Its cultural significance was highlighted in 1967 when it was featured on a 0.40 franc postage stamp issued for the 40th Congress of the French Federation of Philatelic Societies - this marked recognition of the building鈥檚 architectural and historical value within the broader context of French heritage.
In the 16th century, the facade of the building underwent significant modifications, including the addition of a porch and loggia in the early Renaissance style, as well as a new left wing. Notably, the sub-basement of the H么tel Go眉in preserves remnants from the Gallo-Roman period, linking it to the ancient past of the region.
The building's modern name derives from the Go眉in family, affluent Breton bankers who acquired it in 1738. They made substantial improvements, such as adding a balcony over the rear courtyard, demolishing adjacent houses to enlarge the southern yard, and constructing a new entry gate. These modifications significantly altered the building's structure and appearance.
World War II brought devastation to the H么tel Go眉in when it was nearly destroyed by bombings in 1944, leaving only the facade standing. The 1950s saw partial restoration efforts, primarily focusing on the main accommodation and the entrance, though the original garden and north yard were lost and never restored.
Today, the building is home to the Go眉in Museum and previously housed the Touraine Archeological Society. Its cultural significance was highlighted in 1967 when it was featured on a 0.40 franc postage stamp issued for the 40th Congress of the French Federation of Philatelic Societies - this marked recognition of the building鈥檚 architectural and historical value within the broader context of French heritage.
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H么tel Gouin (Gouin House) on Map
Sight Name: H么tel Gouin (Gouin House)
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tours, France
Create Your Own Walk in Tours
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tours is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tours Old Town Walk
Having successfully preserved much of its historic heritage, Tours is particularly famous for its original medieval district 鈥� Vieux Tours. The bulk of it is concentrated around three squares: Place du Grand March茅, Place Plumereau and Place de Chateauneuf.
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Historical Churches
The French city of Tours is forever linked to the Battle of Tours, a pivotal event in European history. Taking place in 732 AD, this momentous encounter saw the Frankish leader Charles Martel, a devout Christian, successfully repel a substantial army of Spanish Moors, thus effectively halting the Muslim advance and ensuring the preservation of Christianity throughout Western Europe.
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tours Introduction Walking Tour
The Roman Emperor Augustus named the city Caesarodunum (Hill of Caesar). But it was always Tours. Caesar left the Tours Ampitheatre, the largest amphitheater of the Empire. It's good to be Caesar.
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles