The Abbey of Marmoutier, located in tours, was one of the most important monasteries of the diocese of Tours. It was founded in the late fourth century Saint Martin of Tours, who was the city's Bishop. Saint Martin was highly respected during his lifetime, and today he is honored as the patron Saint of winemakers.

Despite his high rank, Saint Martin lived in a modest hut, which was near one of the city churches. Large flow of people, thirsting for his blessings, forced the Bishop to leave the Tour and settle in a deserted mountain area (now this place is just three miles from the city limits of modern Tour). Around Martin also lonely settled a few dozen people who built their huts or hollowed out cells in the rocks. So there was a monastery, which was called Marmoutier (or a Large monastery).

In the mid-ninth century, the monastery was looted and burned during the invasion of the Normans. Most of the monks were killed, but the Abbey was restored, and already in the XI century it became one of the richest and most influential in Europe. The monastery was also famous as a cultural center and a storehouse of knowledge in the field of medicine. Feudal wars of the eleventh century also caused damage to the monastery, however, by the beginning of the XIII century the monastery was again restored, extending his possessions and built a Basilica. In the second half of the XVI century, in the age of religious wars, the temple and the monastery suffered at the hands of the Huguenots. During the great French revolution, the temple was converted into a stable, and the monastery was used as a military hospital.

So far only one to have survived from the gates of the monastery, built in the XIII century, the walls, several towers and small buildings. The remains of the monastery are located in the Park of Saint Radegonde, one of the biggest on Tour.