Bourges Tourist Attractions
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Altitude 130m/530ftPopulation 69,000The old ducal city of Bourges, now chief town of the département of Cher, the see of a bishop and a university town, lie at the confluence of the Yèvre and the Aveyron in the fertile province of Berry, which claims to be the heart of France. In addition to its famous cathedral it preserves many remains of its past, including old palaces and burghers' houses.The principal industries of Bourges are armaments, engineering, car manufacture and tires.Bourges, the Gallic town of Avaricum, was conquered by Caesar in 52 BC. In the early Middle Ages it was the chief town of a county, and later it became the residence of the Dukes of Berry, under whom it prospered economically and culturally, acquiring a university at which Jean Calvin, the future Reformer, was a student around 1530. During the wars of religion the town, which was captured by the Protestants in 1562, was largely destroyed.
Cathedral of St Etienne
The Cathedral of St Etienne has a fantastic west front with large towers, five doorways, and a fine 14th C rose window. The interior contains impressive figures of Christ, and noteworthy 13th C stained glass.
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Hôtel de Ville
In Bourges, on the south side of the cathedral is the former Bishop's Palace (16th C), now the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall). Adjoining is the beautiful Jardin de l'Archevêché, probably laid out by Le Notre in the 17th C. At the south end of the gardens is the Maison de la Culture (House of Culture), with a piece of sculpture by Alexander Calder in front of it.
Museum of Decorative Arts
In Bourges, to the north of the cathedral is a handsome 16th C merchant's house, the Hôtel Lallemant, now occupied by the Musée d'Art Décoratif. The collection includes furniture, tapestries and pictures, mainly of the 17th C. The former residential apartments and chapel have fine coffered ceilings. On the chimneypieces are the heraldic emblems of Louis XII (a porcupine) and Anne de Bretagne (an ermine).
Hôtel Cujas
In Rue des Arènes, on the west side of old town Bourges, is the Hôtel Cujas, a fine Renaissance mansion (c 1515) which now houses the Musée du Berry (prehistoric and Roman remains, folk art and traditions).
Palais Jacques Coeur
In Bourges, southeast of the Hôtel Cujas is the Palais Jacques Côur, a palace built on the remains of the Gallo-Roman town walls in 1443-1453 by the royal treasurer Jacques Côur. His heraldic device, a heart (côur) and a scallop- shell (coquille St-Jacques), recurs all over the building. The palace, picturesquely grouped round a courtyard, is one of the finest examples of a Gothic mansion built by a member of the prosperous middle class. In the courtyard, which is partly surrounded by arcades, are three richly decorated staircase towers leading to the upper floors.In the Great Hall are fine pieces of 15th and 16th C sculpture, including 10 weepers from the tomb of Duc Jean de Berry. The chapel has colorful ceiling paintings of 1488. In spite of the absence of furniture the rooms, with their richly decorated chimneypieces and doors, give a good impression of the living conditions of a prosperous 15th century household.
Notre-Dame
The church of Notre-Dame, to the north of Bourges old town, was built in the 15th C and, after being destroyed in a great fire in 1487, rebuilt in 1520-1523. It thus illustrates the transition from Gothic to Renaissance style.To the south of Notre-Dame, is the Hôtel Pelvoisin (15th-16th C), said to have been occupied by the master builder who built the cathedral.
Hôtel des Echevins
In Bourges, southeast of the church of Notre-Dame is the Hôtel des Echevins (late 15th C), the meeting-place of the town's mayor and magistrates, with a beautiful courtyard.Notable features are the octagonal staircase tower in Flamboyant style and the Renaissance gallery, built only 20 years later.The house is now occupied by the Musée Maurice-Estève (20th C painting and graphic art).
International Music Festival
This annual week-long festival runs from late April to early May. Over 130 artists perform contemporary music on 13 stages.
Surroundings
Outside of Bourges are scenic castles and villages.
Château de Bois-Sir-Aimé
10km/6miles south of Bourges are the ruins of the Château de Bois-Sir-Aimé, in which Charles VII's mistress Agnès Sorel lived. Beyond this, on the road to St-Amand-Montrond, is the Château de Meillant (late 16th C), which resembles one of the Loire Châteaux in its architecture and sumptuous decoration.
Abbaye de Noirlac
Southwest of Bourges, on the right bank of the Cher, is the Cistercian abbey of Noirlac (restored), which was rediscovered by Prosper Mérimée in 1838. The abbey, which was founded in 1150, is one of the best preserved examples of Cistercian architecture with an arcaded cloister dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. The large dormitory was divided into separate cells in the 17th C.
Noirlac - Summer Festival
The Noirlac Summer festival is an annual two month event that runs from mid-June to mid-August and includes a variety of program. Events include classical, sacred and medieval musical concerts, visual arts exhibitions, religious ceremonies and social gatherings in the Noirlac Abbey.
St Amand-Montrond
South of Bourges, in the Cher valley, is the little town of St-Amand-Montrond, in an area where the famous white Charolais cattle are bred. In the southeast of the town is the Romanesque church of St-Amand (12th C). 16km/10mi north are the ruins of a 14th C castle which belonged to Duc Jean de Berry.
Chateau de Meillant, Meillant
Chateau de Meillantis a particularly impressive example of medieval romanticism, a masterpiece in pomp and circumstance, with a great abundance of engraved banners, fleur-de-lys and coats of arms. The first signs of Renaissance architecture can be seen in this castle's construction.The interior of Chateau de Meillant possesses rare and valuable furnishings of Italian style. Of exceptional note is a collection of Italian-made medallions featuring the heads of Roman emperors.
Domaine de George Sand, Nohant-Vic
6km/4mi north of La Châtre is Nohant, with a small Château in which the novelist and feminist George Sand (1804-1876) was brought up and lived for many years. There is a small George Sand Museum in the keep of the old castle of La Châtre.
Sancerre
50km/30mi northeast of Bourges is the old-world little town of Sancerre (pop. 2,500), picturesquely situated on a hill in rolling country. An old defensive tower (1509) now serves as the belfry of the church of Notre-Dame. In the park surrounding the Château is the Tour des Fiefs, a 14th century keep which is all that remains of a castle of the Counts of Sancerre.On the first weekend in May is the Fête du Crottin de Chavignol which is held in the Caves de la Mignonne in Sancerre. There is also a fair at the same location on Whitsun weekend. The Foireaux Vins de France also takes place in the Caves de la Mignonne on the last weekend of August.
Map of Bourges Attractions
Map - Bourges
