Cultural sites
AINAY-LE-VIEIL
Schedules: Open every day from the first Saturday of the February holidays to November 30: From 10 a.m till 12 a.m and from 14 p.m till 19 p.m (or up to the nightfall, in autumn and in February - March). Closed on Tuesdays in February, March and November.
GEORGE SAND'S HOUSE
Eternal refuge of George Sand. There, she passed part of her childhood and returned regularly afterwards. She often came in this house, alone or accompanied by famous names such as Liszt, Marie d' Agoult, Chopin, Balzac, Flaubert... You will find many memories of the writer and her family, in particular the puppet theatre realized by Maurice Sand.
02.54.31.06.04
THE GARDENS OF THE PRIEURE "NOTRE-DAME D' ORSAN"
The gardens of the prieuré "Notre-Dame d' Orsan", located in the heart of a Fontevriste prieuré based in the XIIth century by Robert D' Arbrissel are the work of two architects Sonia Lesot and Patrice Taravella with the complicity of the gardener Gilles Guillot who have recreated in Berry the closed gardens of medieval inspiration. (00 33) 02 48 56 27 50. The restaurant " La Table d'Orsan " and the tearoom are open from May first till November first (Bookings in (00 33) 02 48 56 27 50 ).
POTTER VILAGE OF THE ARCHERS
From the very start of the XVIIth century, we note a ceramic activity at the village of the Archers. This will reach its apogee in the middle of the XVIIIth century and last until the middle of the XIXth century. To give a following to the Archers' history, the commune of Châtelet and the association "Merlusine" decided to reinstall craftsmen potters in this typical village. Every year, Merlusine association organizes its Market Potter, in June, Sunday following the St-Jean.
GEORGE SAND'S MUSEUM
The museum makes it possible to discover the literary and pictorial work of George SAND and her son. The museum also has a section of natural history. Musée Georges Sand et de la vallée noire 71, rue Venose 36400
LA CHATRE
02 54 48 36 79
CULAN'S CASTLE
Situated in the South of the Cher en Berry, Culan’s castle, is a medieval fortress of the XIIth century, classified historic building. From its rocky steep slope, the castle overhangs the valley of Arnon. It was the property of the barons of Culan until 1582, and then became Sully’s ownership, a Minister of Henri IV, before being given up to the prince of Cop. It was then sold as a national good during the revolution.
33 (0)2 48 56 66 66
info@Chateau-de-Culan.com
Le Château
18270 Culan
BOURGES' CATHEDRAL
Admirable by its proportions and the unity of its conception, the cathedral Saint-Etienne of Bourges, built between the end of the XIIth century and the end of the XIIIth century, is an exceptional representation of the Gothic art with its magnificent sculptures and its stained glasses. It represents the power of the Christianity in the time.
DRULON'S ARTISTIC GARDENS
Magnificent gardens in which 36 artists / sculptors expose their works. Gardens present among others a rose garden of 1300 rosebushes, magnolias and swamps which are an exceptional site of exhibition for the sculptures. Possibility to buy local products.
02 48 56 65 96
18170 Loye-sur-Arnon
ANGIBAULT'S MILL
George Sand describes it as a "place of wild paradise"; Angibault's mill offers the possibility for the guests to take advantage of a rural frame and to discover the functioning of a mill. Possibility of commented visits and slide shows (reservation is advised).
"Angibault's Mill friends"
02 54 31 11 46
36230 Montipouret
MEILLANT'S CASTLE
The castle is a remarkable example of the Gothic art where you can feel the Italian influence of the Renaissance. It is the cardinal Georges d'Amboise, a cousin and a Minister of Louis XII who watched the works at the end of the XVth century. Inside, a discovery run let you observe decorations of the daily life through centuries in miniature.
NOIRLAC'S ABBEY
Built in 1150, Noirlac's abbey is a real reference of the Cistercian art. It is the symbol of the ideal diffused by St Bernard in Europe and is one of the best-preserved cities in France. The architecture directed to the purity and the light is an inexhaustible source of surprise and the abbey is today part of the national patrimony.
The guests have the choice between a free visit and a conducted tour at certain hours. A bookshop and a shop are available. Numerous exhibitions are also proposed. Besides, the abbey welcomes every summer the musical festival, " The Summer of Noirlac ", in which participates vocal and instrumental international orchestras.
