Tourist Information Cher, Loire Valley France

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Loire Valley

Tourist Information Cher,
Loire Valley France

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Things to see and do in Cher, Loire Valley France

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Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Aubigny sur Nère

Aubigny sur Nère is classified as a 4 star Ville Fleurie, and has special links with Scotland. The Museum Auld Alliance is devoted to the alliance between France and Scotland, and the town hosts a Scottish French Festival in July. The Marguarite Audoux Museum is a small museum of three rooms to clebrate the life of Marguarite Audox and Maire Claire. Attractions in the town and nearby include a municipal indoor heated swimming pool, walking and hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing and canoeing. An unusual way to see the region is by velo rail, which is a kind of kart on wheels which is pedalled along a disused railway line. The track starts from Aubigny, through th Sologne Froest and finishes at the Etang de Puits which is a lake of 180 hectares. The Tourist Office is at 1 Rue de l'Eglise. Tel 02 48 58 40 20.

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Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Blancafort

Blancafort boasts an impressive château dating from the 15th century, open to the public from 1st June - end September. It is also known as Le Château des Senteurs and is set in 20 hectares of grounds. Visit Les Jardins de Blancafort, beautifully tended and maintained gardens with a bar, café and shop. Free parking. An interesting museium, especially for children, is La Musée de la Sorcellerie, or Witch's Museum which explores the legends of witches from the middle ages to the mid 19th century. There is a shop and English translations are available. The museum is at La Jonchère, Concressault, 18140 Blancafort. Tel 02 48 73 86 11. The Tourist Office is at 3 Rue du 8 Mai, 18410 Blancafort. Tel 02 48 81 58 15.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Bourges

A very attractive an interesting town with the status 'Cité de l'Art et de l'Histoire' in recognition of its artistic and cultural heritage. The Gothic Cathedral dates back to 1195 and has some impressive 13th century stained glass windows. The Palace Jacques Coeur was finished around 1450. Jacues Coeur was the advisor to the Dauphin who later became Charles VII. A statue of him stands in the forecourt. Le Jardin de l'Archvêché is an 18th century garden featuring a merry go round and a children's playground. An important festival which takes place for one week during the French Easter holidays is the 'Printemps de Bourges' whch features all types of music from rock bands to jazz, and attracts around 100,000 visitors each year. In summer Bourges stages Les Nuits Lumières, when the town comes alive with sound and music, illuminating the buildings and evoking the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. This begins at nightfull and lasts about two and a half hours. In May and June the shows are on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, plus evenings before a bank holiday. During July and August there are nightly shows and in September, Thursday Friday and Saturday. September sees the annual Feast of Saint Fiacre, dedicated to the patron saint of gardeners. Le Jardin de Prés-Fichaux is a pleasant and relaxing area with rose garden, topiary, fountains and scultptures. Museums in the town include The Berry Museum, also known as Cujas Mansion, which was built at the beginning of the 16th century and features medieval and Roman artefacts together with exhibits from the local Berry region. The Hôtel Lallemant is now the Museum of Decorative Arts and features a large collection of artefacts from the 15th - 18th centuries including tapestries, paintings and antique furniture. The Canal de Berry traveses the town and nearby countryside, offering walks and fishing along the banks. Not far from the old medieval quarters of the town are the marshlands, with gardens and streams providing a pleasant stroll. Markets take place every day in different locations in the city. The Tourist Office is just outside the cathedral, at 21 Rue Victor Hugo, BP 126, 18003 Bourges. Tel 02 48 23 02 60.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Le Châteaumeillant

Châteaumeillant is a town proud of its history a history dating back 2000 years. The Emile Chenon Archaeological Museum displays artefacts found during local excavations. Churches of interest are Notre Dame la Petite, and the romanesque L'Eglise St Genès. A livestock market takes place each week; Mondays for cattle and alternate Tuesdays for sheep. At Easter there is a wine festival where local growers display their wines, and on 14th July an art and handicrafts market. There are concerts during the summer either at St Genès church or other locations. The first weekend in September sees a street festival with majorettes and brass bands; and at the end of November/beginning of December an antiques fair. 15km away there is a leisure lake with canoeing, pedaloes, fishing and walking. The Tourist Office is at 69 Rue de la Liberation. Te 02 48 61 39 89.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Le Henrichemont

The town of Henrichement was the profect of Minister Sully in 1610, who wanted to create his ideal town. The original town has been largely developed and little remains of the first structures. The town is built around a main square. Bike hire is available with routes availabe from the Tourist Office, and there is a large lake at the Etang du Petit Bois for walking, picnicking and fishing. Fishing licences are available for the day or the year, on site. The Tourist Office is at 3 Place de l'Hotel d Ville. Tel 02 48 26 74 13.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Le Culan

Culan is best known for its 12th century château which protected the town in medieval times. The château is open daily to the public from 10.15am - 12.15pm and from 2pm - 6.15pm. In July & August it is open from 10am - 8pm. The gardens are laid out to show herbal medicinal plants of the time, and there are falconry displays during the summer season. The château is one of the oldest castles in occupation. Culan Tourist Office is at Place du Champ du Foire, 18270 Culan. Tel: 02 48 62 03 92.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Le Châtelet-en-Berry

Pottery has been a traditional occupation in this town since the 17th century. In 1890 there were 20 potters, producing mainly domestic pottery, and today five craftsmen are permanently based in the hamlet of Le Village Potiers des Archers, each producing original and unusual ceramics. On the 3rd Sunday in June 40 potters from all over France visit the town to exhibit their wares, and children can take part in pottery classes from the 1st July - 31st August on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. There are two walking routes through the town, of 7 km and 11km. The Abbaye de Puyferrand is an 11th century abbey classed as a historic monument.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Nançay

A small town of 5000 inhabitants, Nançay has plenty to offer including 320km of walking trails though pleasant countryside and forest. The Adventure Park is a treetop obstacle course with different levels of difficulty for adults and children (for opening hours consult the Tourist Office). La Galérie Capazza is a modern art musem and at the centre of the town, the Church of Saint Laurian dominates the village square. A private château opens its gardens to the public from August to mid September. The Espace Ciel Ouvert features one of the margest radio telescopes in the world and was opened in 1965 by President Charles de Gaulle. The vistors' centre includes an exhibition hall with a planetarium and a display of radio telescopes. Reservations for visits by email or telephone (02 48 51 18 18). The Tourist Office is at 5 Rue du Château, 18330 Nançay. Tel 02 48 51 80 31.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Sancerre

The name Sancerre conjures images of the famous wines of this area. There are over 30 wine makers in the town and many welcome visitors for wine tastings. The town sits at the top of a hill and looks down onto the vineyears. From the Esplanade Porte César there is a beautiful view over the Loire, with the village of Saint Satur and the Puisaye forest in the distance. The town hall dates from the 15th century. Visit the chapel on Rue Basse des Remparts. Not only wine, but food is an important priority. The local delicacies include Sancerre ham which is smoked in vine cuttings, Sancerre beer, croquets and Lichoi pastries, and the Cottin de Chavignol goats' cheese. In August there is an annual show La Sabotée, when the townspeople celebrate their heritage with lively bagpipe and hurdy-gurdy music. The Tourist Office is on Rue de la Crox de Bois. Tel 02 48 54 08 21.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Saint-Satur

A pretty village close to Sancerre of just over 1800 inhabitants, where the main activity is wine production. There is an underground wine cave for wine tasting. The village centres around its 12th & 14th century abbey church, which was the first classified monument of the Cher department. A 500m stone viaduct overlooks the village. The Tourist Office is at Place de la République, Tel 02 48 54 01 30.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Vesdun

Vesdun is known as a floral town, and at the centre of the town is a garden called The Garden of Bacchus, with a mixure of herbs and flowers in classic French style. The Church of Saint-Cyr has frescoes on the ceiling of the choir which were discovered in 1984 and thought to date back to the 7th or 8th century when the church was built. In the grounds of the church there is the yearly festival 'Le Livre Vivant,' where the townspeople act out a theatrical production. Next to the church is the oldest house in the town where summer exhibitions are held. The Fôret des Milles Poètes has over 1200 oak trees, each sponsored by an artist. There is a swimming pool, riding, tennis, golf and fishing. Market day is Wednesday am and there is a book market and a Christmas market with fireworks. The Tourist Office (shown) is situated at Maison du Patrimoine, 18360 Vesdun. Tel 02 48 63 18 69.

Cher Tourist Info: Loire Valley Tourist Attractions: Vierzon

A town of approximately 30000 people with plenty of activites and sights to see. The town lies at the confluent of 5 waterways including the Cher, the Yèvre and the Berry Canal. Visit the 12th - 15th century Church of Notre-Dame, or the town's museum Musée des Fours Banaux at 7, rue du Château. There is boating and fishing on the River Cher, and the Basse Nautique du Centre d'Ille du Cher where you can hire electic boats and pedaloes. There is an open air pool suring the summer at Chemin de Trompe Souris, and a pool at Parc de Bellvue. Each year in July there are the horse trials at the Societé Hippique de la Picardière. There are two golf courses. Nearby in Limeux there is the Conservatoire of Aromatic Plants at 56 Rue du Cavalier, and at St Lauren a garden tour with water features which takes about an hour.