Bourges is known for its very rich history, its heritage and its relaxed way of life. Did you know that its surroundings are also worth a detour? Between gardens, small villages, castles and unusual monuments, let yourself be carried away and get off the beaten track, we take you around the capital of Berry... ​

15 minutes from Bourges

Let's leave the city of Bourges and its agglomeration to find ourselves in the beautiful Berrichonne countryside. A few minutes away, the village of Plaimpied-Givaudins, which hides a treasure of Berry Roman: Saint-Martin Abbey. The quality of the sculptures and capitals have made the reputation of this religious building.

Want a bit of nature? Enjoy a beautiful walk along the Canal de Berry on foot, on horseback or by bike to admire the landscape along the water. A route has been laid out from Plaimpied to Mehun-sur-Yèvre, and the rest is on the way!

Canal de Berry
Berry Channel @ Ad2T

20 minutes from Bourges

Discover an old medieval fortress in Mehun-sur-Yèvre. Formerly one of the favorite residences of King Charles VII and visited several times by Joan of Arc, today its remains bear witness to the richness of the place. Mehun-sur-Yevre is also known to be the city of porcelain with its Pillivuyt factory. 

30 minutes from Bourges

Cut across fields to discover the nuggets of the Berry countryside. 

To the northeast is a village of potters in the heart of the Henrichemont forest. The village of La Borne has more than 80 craftsmen and the city has become a center of ceramics, in particular through its Contemporary Ceramics Center. It is also a few kilometers away that 1 of the 5 Remarkable Gardens of the department: the Park of the Château de Pesselières in Jalognes. A second is located just a little further south, the Parc du Château de Jussy-Champagne.
In terms of gastronomy, good tables are not rare, such as the famous restaurant C'u l'zib where you will taste the local beverage, the wine of Menetou-Salon. To the West, other equally famous vineyards will delight your taste buds, Reuilly and Quincy.

In the North-West the forest of Sologne begins, ideal for walks in the forest and for a trip to the stars at the Pôle des Étoiles de Nançay (gourmet village with its famous shortbread too!).

Let's end our overview with the south of the territory, where other towns and villages are worth a detour, such as Châteauneuf-sur-Cher or Saint-Amand-Montrond with Noirlac Abbey.

One hour from Bourges

After the campaign we leave for the castles, most of them are part of the Route Jacques Coeur  such as that of La Verrerie, Ainay-le-Vieil, and Sagonne… Going north, you will also come across the village of Aubigny-sur-Nère and its Scottish past.

As for Remarkable Gardens, it is in the South that you will find the last three: the Floral Park of Apremont-sur-Allier, the Priory Gardens of Orsan and the Rose Garden and Chartreuses of Ainay-le-Vieil.

The South is also the place of many activities such as the Goule Leisure Village, the Horse and Donkey Pole or the Grossouvre Metal Space.

A more than famous vineyard dominates the countryside to the north, that of Sancerre. Not content with being a wine appreciated all over the world, it is also a picturesque and charming village that opens onto the wild Loire, ideal for water sports.

Tourist information point: 

Mehun-sur-Yèvre Tourist Office
July 14 Square
18500 MEHUN-SUR-YEVRE
Phone 02.48.57.35.51

La Borne Tourist Information Office
Road to Sancerre
18250 HENRICHEMONT
 Phone 09.71.22.58.50

Menetou-Salon Tourist Information Office
21 rue de la Mairie
18510 MENETOU-SALON

Want to know more about Berry? Former province grouping the departments of Indre and Cher, discover its riches on berryprovince.com