Bourges in Berry
Bourges a timeless heritage town
"I must tell you that I love this town for its originality, its manageable size and its cultural wealth" (Teddy Verneuil, blogger). The Berruyers (people who live in Bourges) know how much their town surprises its visitors. Bourges and its surroundings foster a lifestyle and heritage which is every bit as good as that of larger cities. It is a town with a myriad of faces and plenty to see and do, definitely not somewhere to drive past ! It is the capital of the Berry region, an Art and History Town, home of the Printemps de Bourges music festival, a nature town with a 135 hectare marshland conservation area in its centre, a tranquil, go-ahead town whose cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally, it is the home of the very successful Tango Bourges women’s Basketball team. Bourges is a discreet place, but one which goes its own way with a full programme of events and timeless heritage. Take time to make the most of the town and to enjoy the delightful scenery of its surrounding area.
Among the essential attractions to see in Bourges, don’t miss the Cathedral of Saint-Etienne, one of the largest in France, an impressive Gothic masterpiece which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. Its unique architecture can be compared to that of Notre-Dame de Paris with no transept and 5 magnificently sculpted portals at the front. Another extraordinary building constructed by an extraordinary person is the Palais Jacques Cœur. The rich, powerful Grand Argentier (Master of the Mint) to Charles VII built a residence in keeping with his prestige. Inspired by the Italian Renaissance, it had unique avant-garde features including serving hatches, boiler rooms and a steam room. In a way, it was built in the image of Cœur’s motto ""A vaillant Cœur, rien d’impossible (nothing is impossible for a valiant Cœur/heart !"".
As you stroll through the beautiful historical centre, remember to look up to admire some of the 440 half-timbered houses dating from the 15th century especially the ""Maison des 3 Flûtes"" with its splendidly carved corner posts. All the pedestrianised streets converge on the Place Gordaine so sit down at a pavement café, have something to drink and watch the world go by !
Bourges a great place to wander around and enjoy nature
If you feel like a breath of country air in the heart of the town, head for the ‘Marais’, 135 hectares of greenery just a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral where you can wander around, relax and admire vegetable gardens, flowers and the countryside in general. You can also go to the beach and do water sports, go horse riding and hot-air ballooning at Val d’Auron (lake), which is also the start and finish of a walk or bike ride called ""la Trouée Verte (the green gap) "". Don’t forget to visit some of the many museums like the Musée Estève devoted to the very colourful universe of this 20th century artist, the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum), which specialises in bats, and some of the many art galleries. During one week every spring Bourges is in festive mode for the Printemps de Bourges, when musical concerts take place in halls, bars and restaurants throughout the town.
There are plenty of emblematic attractions to see outside the town : take a bike ride along part of the Canal de Berry, a path which runs for 196km through magical scenery of the Cher department. Stop off at Plaimpied-Givaudins, well-known for its Romanesque Abbey with an impressive crypt. Tickle your taste buds and sample AOC Menetou-Salon wine. Explore the village of La Borne, internationally-renowned for its resident potters and Centre de Céramique Contemporaine. Visit the Jardin de Marie, 2 hectares of gardens featuring more than 500 varieties of plants and beautiful views over the hills of Sancerre, and also the Jardins du Duc Jean de Berry at Mehun-sur-Yèvre, famous for its castle of Charles VII, and its porcelain factories.
"What I love doing in Bourges, is wandering through the narrow, winding cobbled streets of the old town and admiring the half-timbered houses, looking at the cathedral from the Jardin de l’Archevêché, strolling around the Marais, the leafy heart of the town, then having a drink at a pavement café or in a wine cellar before ending up at one of the many fine restaurants then going back to my Gîtes de France® City Break accommodation".
Via A71, Bourges is 1 hour from Orléans, 2½ hours from Paris and 4 hours from Lyon. It is also 1½ hours from Tours via A85 at Vierzon."
