Nevers
The Art and History town of Nevers, a former pottery capital
This Art and History town is a wonderful place to explore with a partner, family or friends. The former pottery capital has lots to see and do and everything is within walking distance. Just follow the “fil bleu” (blue line) through its streets to discover the rich architectural heritage and expertise, shops with colourful windows, the historic pottery district marked with the pretty cobalt blue, so characteristic of the town. What to see : the superb Palais Ducal, listed former home of the Counts and Dukes of Nevers, considered to be the first of the Châteaux de la Loire. This fine 15th century building is full of surprises including an aquarium of Loire fish, exhibition spaces and a venue for municipal functions.
Espace Bernadette Soubirous
This peaceful place was built to honour Saint Bernadette, whose body has lain in a glass and bronze shrine in the convent chapel since 1925. Today it is next to a replica of the Massabielle grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to the young woman.
The Cathedral of Saint-Cyr Sainte-Julitte is unusual in that it has two choirs of different styles, one Romanesque, the other Gothic, resulting from the juxtaposition of successive buildings.
The banks of the Loire at Nevers
The Banks of the Loire are perfect for a romantic stroll, bike rides, running and even canoeing towards the Bec d’Allier where the Loire and Allier meet. Nevers is also a super fishing venue with a variety of spots : the Loire for catfish, carp, white fish and perch; the Canal and the Bassin de la Jonction for zander and black-bass; and the mouth of the small canal for tiny ablet and roach. The picturesque, natural, unspoilt scenery along the river is a real ecological gem.
There is no shortage of festivals. Every year in July the street festival « les z’accros d’ma rue » enlivens the town with a wide variety of shows; « Nevers à Vif » in October features big names from French Rock; Festival D’Jazz à Nevers is an international jazz festival for 10 days in November.
Near Nevers, the Loire Lateral Canal runs from Briare to Digoin. You can hire a pleasure boat at Port de Plagny, Sermoise (no permit required) to sail along the canal. The Parc Floral at the heart of the medieval village of Apremont-sur-Allier is 4.5 hectares of stunning ponds, waterfalls, woodland, flowers and shrubs. It is classed as a ‘Jardin Remarquable’ and is 16km from Nevers.
« It is wonderful to walk along the revamped banks of the Loire then up through the cobbled streets of the town centre to buy some delicious speciality sweets : Négus (chocolate-coated soft caramel in a crisp candy coat, first made in 1902) and Faïençon (macaroon-shaped chocolates with an ivory coloured coating, splashed with blue of Nevers pottery and filled with an almond and hazelnut praline with crystallized cocoa bean chips) » says Hélène from Gites de France.
Discover the loveliest places in Nièvre with Gites de France Nièvre : Charité sur Loire, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Destination Sancerre-Pouilly Fumé et Giennois, Poterie de Puisaye, Etangs de Baye et de Vaux, Canal du Nivernais, Le Morvan, Lac des Settons, Bibracte.
How to get to Nevers ?
By road : from Paris (2½ hours) via A6 autoroute, then A77 – exit Nevers
By rail : Paris-Clermont Ferrand (2½ hours from Gare de Bercy)"
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