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Bourges & Berry |
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 BOURGES, the city of « Nuits Lumières »
The architectural heritage of Bourges is unique and amazingly rich. It is worth spending some time here to see the many splendours of another age.
A walk along the fortifications gives you the opportunity to admire the remains of the 4th century gallo-roman walls.
The old town with its renaissance half-timbered houses, shop signs, stone and wood carvings, narrow staircases and cobbled streets and the names themselves are all precious reminders of times gone by : l’enclos des Capucins et des Bénédictins, l’enclos des Jacobins, la cour fleur de Lys, la rue du four au Roi, de l’Alchimie, des Vertus, l’impasse des galants verts…
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 Saint-Etienne Cathedral
UNESCO world heritage
A unique masterpiece of gothic architecture. It has five magnificent doorways flanked by two asymmetrical towers, opening into five aisles. The inner aisles are remarkably high and there are no transepts. The extraodinary colours of the exquisite 13th century stained glass windows reveal scenes of daily life in the Middle Ages : trades, clothing, fauna and flora. The splendid glass work of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries retrace the evolution of this craft.
 Le Palais Jacques-C½ur
« A vaillants c½urs, rien d’impossible – To brave hearts nothing is impossible »
Jacques C½ur was an exceptional trader endowed with innovative ideas which enabled him to acquire an immense fortune. He lent King Charles VII, exiled in Berry, the money necessary for his reconquest and consequently was appointed “argentier du Roi” (steaward of the royal expenditure and banker of the court) in 1438. He was ennobled three years later. Entrusted with various missions and functions his power increased considerably. His downfall and exit from the court life was as rapid and surprising as his rise to power. The palace is a rare and beautiful example of civil gothic architecture.
Les nuits Lumière de Bourges
 An enchanting walk through the floodlit streets.
May-June-September : Thursday, Firday, Saturday
July and August : every evening from dusk
Un "Eté à Bourges"
Every evening in Summer there is a concert, recital or other high quality entertainment in the heart of the city. From June 21th to September 20th.
 The old town :
La Grange aux dîmes
La rue Bourbonnoux
La promenade des remparts
La place Gordaine
La « maison natale » de Jacques C½ur
Saint Pierre church
L’Hôtel Dieu
 
www.berrylecher.com www.bourges-tourisme.com | | The museums
 • Hôtel Lallemand – Museum of Decorative Arts
This early French Renaissance edifice was built between 1490 and 1515-1518. The refined façades showing Antique and Italian inspiration. The oratory ceiling has 30 coffers with christian or symbolic motifs. There are collections of furniture, many with marquetry or lacquer, a collection of 16th and 17th century tapestries as well as « objet d’art » and 15th-18th century paintings.
• Musée des meilleurs ouvriers de France
The work and « Objets d’Art of high skilled craftsmen in France.
 • Musée du Berry – Arts and Traditions
The Hôtel Cujas houses 250 gallo-roman stele, sculptures made for the Sainte-Chapelle of Jean de Berry. A remarkable exhibition retraces country life in the 19th century and another shows the work of the Talbot family, famous potters from La Borne, a village North of Bourges.
 • Musée Estève – Hôtel des Echevins
Built in 1489, it housed the city hall for three centuries. In 1624 a classic style gallery was added to the gothic style building. To-day I is a perfect setting for the works of Maurice Estève, the painter (1904-2001).
• Natural History Museum
Walks and Gardens
 Les Marais de Bourges
In past times this marshland was part of the natural defence of the city. To-day the 300 acres of gardens crossed by canals and rivers is a delightful walk within easy walking distance from the city centre.
Le Canal du Berry
This canal, first opened in 1831, is an ideal place for walkers or anglers alike. Walks or bicycle rides along the towpath are a delight for everyone.
• Le Jardin de l'Archevêché
This delightful garden designed in 1730 with lawns and beautiful flowerbeds is a perfect setting for the nearby cathedral. In summer you can enjoy entertainmenet at the more recent bandstand and the children can amuse themselves in the play area.
 • Le Jardin des Prés-Fichaux
Previously just marshland, this garden was created in 1923 and 1930 in the Art-Deco style. The trees and plants, ponds and fountains, the rose garden and sculptures are a real delight
Also :
Val d’Auron 18 hole golf course
Auron lake
Skating rink
Swimming pool
Cinema
Underground car park (St-Bonnet, Mairie-Cathédrale)
Free car park (place Séraucourt)
Coach park (avenue Eugène Brisson, place Pierre de Coubertin) |
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