By this time, square pavilions rather than circular towers were in use. Chateau Chenonceaux, outstanding for its beautiful setting, its gardens, and its Renaissance-style architecture, is on an islet in the Cher River. The chateau's famous wing that spans the river was built in 1560 by the celebrated architect Philibert Delorme. The great oval salon, projecting from the garden facade, was imitated in numerous 18th-century chateaux. The principal manufactures are silk, processed foods, building materials, footwear, chemicals, and electrical equipment.
Tours also serves as the trading center for wine and dried fruit from the surrounding countryside.
Near Tours are many of the famous chateaus of the Loire Valley. The Roman Tours was known as Caesarodunum from about AD 150 and as Civitas Turonum from the 5th century. From September to December 1870, Tours was the seat of the French government during the siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War. Text copyrights are attributed to their respective sources throughout this site.