The old and the new...

We had to go up to Tours on Tuesday so we took the opportunity to ride the new tramway in the city - good fun - simple things eh!

The system was only inaugurated on Saturday (you can see video and pics. here) with much pomp and ceremony, so it's all brand-spanking new. We boarded at Place Jean Jaurés an area which is not new to trams...

Source wikmedia

The new trams at €433M will certainly have cost more than the ones above but the city hopes it will regenerate some of the outlying districts of the city as well as take cars off the road by providing an inexpensive option. The fairs are attractive - we bought an all-day ticket for €3.70 and although the ticket machine is fairly straightforward, with an option in English, there was a young man on hand in case there were any teething problems.

The trams run around every 8 mins so you don't have long to wait...

...and once they do arrive, are very comfortable.

We rode in both directions getting views over the river Cher to the south and the Loire to the north...more tomorrow!