Gien Attractions

Gien (pop. 15,332) is for many visitors the beginning of the real Loire valley. In spite of heavy destruction during the Second World War it is an attractive little town. The Château, an unpretentious building of 1494- 1500, now houses a Museum of Hunting and Falconry and displays a selection of the characteristic Gien earthenware. Northwest of the Château is the church of Ste-Jeanne- d'Arc (19th C., rebuilt after the Second World War), which has a 15th C. tower. In the northwest of the town, near the river, is a ceramic factory founded in 1821 which is open to visitors.

12km/7-1/2mi northeast of Gien is the moated Château of La Bussière (originally 13th C., later rebuilt). It contains a small Fishing Museum.