Tourangeais

The Tourangeais are the inhabitants or natives of Touraine, a historic province in central France whose core lies around the city of Tours. The region is now largely included in the Centre-Val de Loire administrative region, with most of Touraine in the department of Indre-et-Loire and smaller parts extending into neighboring departments. The demonyms Tourangeais (masculine) and Tourangaise (feminine) are used to designate people from this area.

Geographically, Touraine lies along the Loire River in the Loire Valley, a landscape renowned for its châteaux and vineyards. The Tourangeais share a regional identity tied to the Loire Valley’s cultural landscape, Renaissance heritage, and agricultural traditions. The area is a center for wine, history, and tourism, attracting visitors to historic towns, markets, and architectural landmarks.

Historically, the name Touraine derives from the Gaulish tribe known as the Turones, and the region has played a notable role in medieval and early modern France. Today, the economic and cultural life of the Tourangeais centers on the city of Tours and the surrounding countryside, with tourism, viticulture, and hospitality forming key components. The Loire Valley, including Touraine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its landscape and the collective architectural and artistic achievements along the river.

See also: Touraine, Loire Valley, Centre-Val de Loire.