Aubigny-sur-Nère and the Sologne
Aubigny-sur-Nère more than just an air of Scotland
"Sologne is a beautiful, mysteriously fascinating region deeply close to nature, which can only be discovered by "pushing aside its branches", according to Alain-Fournier, author of Le Grand Meaulnes. The little character town of Aubigny-sur-Nère, which stands at the gateway to Sologne, is a go-ahead place with a well-preserved heritage strongly influenced by the history of Scotland and a rich local way of life. The Scottish history of Aubigny began in 1423 during the Hundred Years’ War when Charles VII gave the lands of Aubigny to John Stuart of Darnley to thank him for his help in fighting against the English. For around 250 years, the village lived the Scottish way of life, leaving a heritage which is still omnipresent today. The annual Franco-Ecossaises (Scottish) Fêtes, whisky made in Berry and even a local pipe band are just some of the proof that the village once belonged to the Stuarts. Even today the village’s historic buildings recall its prosperity under the Stuarts. It is impossible to miss the town centre with its half-timbered houses, its castle and genuine Scottish pub. There is no shortage of cultural events at La Forge, an old factory converted into a theatre with a widely diverse programme of events. On Saturday mornings the town is largely pedestrianised during the lively, convivial local market.
Essential attractions when visiting Aubigny-sur-Nère (named after the little River Nère which runs through it) include the Renaissance-style Château des Stuarts castle which contains Aubusson tapestries presented by Louis XIV to Louise de Keroual who was his secret agent and simultaneously mistress of Charles II of England, the Maison François 1er which houses an art gallery, the Grands Jardins (gardens designed by a disciple of Le Nôtre), the monument to the Auld Alliance which sealed the friendship and assistance between Scotland and France and lots of half-timbered houses like the Maison Saint-Jean, Maison du Bailli and Maison Bourdoiseau.
Deep in the Sologne countryside
Sologne has many delightful villages and unexpected places like Nançay with its golf course, castle, Galérie Capazza (internationally-known contemporary art gallery), Pôle des Etoiles (one of the largest radio astronomy centres in the world and its fabulous radio telescope) and of course delicious sablés de Nançay biscuits.
Other curiosities include the church ‘à caquetoire’ at Brinon-sur-Sauldre, whose large veranda runs not only across the front but also along most of the south side of the church, and the Musée Marguerite Audoux (author of the novel ‘Marie-Claire’) at Saint-Montaine.
Water sports enthusiasts are well catered for at the Etang du Puits lake at Argent-sur-Sauldre while nature lovers can discover La Guette peatbog, the Moulin de la Biodiversité (mill) and the Etang de M. Gentil (lake) which make up the Maison de l’Eau at Neuvy-sur-Barangeon or go walking along the GR31 hiking path which runs through part of the Sologne in Cher. Cultural attractions include 2 of the castles on the ‘Route Jacques Cœur’ Discovery Trail : La Verrerie and La Chapelle d’Angillon as well as the Maison de la Chasse et de la Nature at Vouzeron.
"What I love about Sologne is its flowering heather in spring and its beautiful colours in autumn, having a drink at a pavement café in Aubigny before going to listen to the roar of rutting stags after nightfall, then spending the night deep at the heart of nature in one of the unusual bubble domes at Bulles de Sologne". Gîtes de France, Cher
Aubigny is close to several major roads : from A10 exit Lamotte- Beuvron, from A77 exit Gien or N7 from A6, plus aerodrome.
