Sancerre-Sologne-Vallée de la Loire is a region where tradition integrates many values. The cheerful countryside of the Berry Champagne, the game forests in Sologne where the marshes surprise, the gentle valleys and hills where the vineyards of Sancerre offer a delightful wine, the Loire Valley bathed by the Royal River where its sinuosity draws ephemeral islands, the authentic traditional dishes bewitching in the Netherlands, the wealth of flora and the rarity of fauna in the Val d'Aubois, the Bec d'Allier and its beautiful port features..
All these regions offer hikes as far as the eye can see, on foot, on horseback, by boat or by bicycle following the wonderful loops prepared by the Tourist Offices as well as the no less famous route of the Loire by bicycle. Around Henrichemont, for a thousand years, clay has been transformed by potters and art ceramists. Romanesque art appeals to us, present in every church and in the remains of many medieval castles. The unstoppable and inevitable Canal Latéral à la Loire also opens up the history of industrial heritage, which tells the story of the energy of 19th century metalworking men. This wild territory located two hours from Paris is to be discovered without further delay! Focus on the unmissable features of a region like no other.
In the Germigny Valley, you should not miss the Tuilerie. This Centre d'interprétation de l'architecture et du patrimoine (CIAP) is a local cultural establishment whose objectives are to raise awareness, inform and train all audiences about the architecture and heritage of the territory of the Pays d'art et d'histoire. The Sauvard factory, founded in 1852, a mechanical tile factory in La Guerche-sur-l'Aubois, one of the oldest in the region, produced a variety of well-known products: solid or hollow bricks, drainage pipes, socket tiles, mitrons and lanterns, lined tiles, edge tiles, ridge tiles, paving tiles and ornamental elements. This is why, from now on, at La Tuilerie, a particular interest is taken in the discovery of the world of raw materials, processing processes and terracotta products. It should be noted that CIAP hosts a temporary exhibition (the content of which is renewed every year) and a permanent exhibition in the old Hoffmann furnace, which offers a discovery of the aspects of the territory.
In the Bec d'Allier, we will happily visit the castle of Cuffy. With a keep reaching a height of 25 metres, this castle, better known as the Sully Tower, does not go unnoticed. Now included in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments, this impressive building - dating from the 12th and 15th centuries, although somewhat in ruins - attracts enthusiasts of medieval history. Its fortifications are as solid as those of the Louvre in Paris thanks to an architectural system starting from the cellar and which has six cells arranged in the wall on the faces exposed to affronts from the outside, thus reinforcing the tower so that it remains standing. Rare also for this period: on the three levels there was "heating and water on all floors"!
We will then head towards the flower park of Appremont-sur-Allier. Because beauty and serenity preside over what is one of the most beautiful gardens in France. Created in 1970, it is now certified "Remarkable Garden" by the Ministry of Culture. Inspired by English gardens, the rarest species are represented. Inspired by the white garden of Sissinghurst in England, a Turkish pavilion completed the existing Chinese waterfall and bridge. A lookout tower overlooking the village and garden has also been added to the other factories. Here, as in England, you can walk on the grass, which is also the link between these various gardens.
In the Netherlands, we will head towards the village of La Borne and its Contemporary Ceramic Centre La Borne. Here, there are more than 65 ceramists and potters whose works are presented. Two or three pieces from each of them represent an eclectic and lively choice of what ceramics and pottery are today. On permanent display, they do not prevent other events such as international meetings from taking place in the space, thus making it possible to develop and make known this artistic richness which has now definitively taken the lead over the craft world in this field of the work of beautiful clay material. Visits, events, exhibitions, bookshop, stays, accommodation, workshop or oven rentals, a host of possibilities are offered to both the novice and the informed connoisseur.
In Sancerre, and more precisely in Sancerre, you can admire the Belfry, also called the Saint-Jean tower. This monument, 8 m long and 20 m high, was built in 1509 and has been classified as a historic monument since 1913. On the ground floor, a chapel has been built. The first floor was used as a meeting place for the town councillors. On the second floor, there are the bells. Following the siege of Sancerre in 1573, the bell of the belfry and its clock were removed under the command of General de La Châtre, commander of the royal armies. We'll also take a look at the Tour des Fiefs. Remains of the castle of the Counts of Sancerre, it is the only one of the six towers to have been spared when the fortress was destroyed in 1621. You climb the 195 steps to discover a unique view of the rooftops of the old town and the hills of Sancerre. The panorama is worth it! It will then be time to visit the Maison des Sancerre, a superb 15th century building. Originally built to become the city's thermal baths, this building eventually belonged successively to a cooper, a religious association, the State which made it the sub-prefecture, a private individual, the National Education and finally the Sancerre Wine Union. Here you can obtain all the information about the winegrowers and merchants of Sancerre. On 350 m² of exhibition, in a beautiful scenography, didactic but also playful and interactive, you enter behind the scenes of Sancerre. Since April 2015, you can discover the new scenography and its 4D cinema. From geology to winemaking, the men and women of the appellation reveal their know-how to you. Exciting!
Finally, in Chavignol, we will take a little cultural bath at the Garnier Delaporte contemporary art gallery. Located in a former renovated residence, the gallery permanently presents 24 artists. Painters, sculptors, engravers, ceramists, photographers experience their own aesthetic sense, their vision of the world. To visit, to explore, to support, without moderation
In Sologne, direction Aubigny-sur-Nère. At the beginning of December 2017, Aubigny-sur-Nère and Sancerre entered the restricted circle of Petites Cités de Caractère®. This association, and tourist label awarded sparingly, has been trying since 1970 to promote original municipalities, in other words atypical because of their history, their heritage, the small size of their population, which does not prevent many welcome initiatives
In Nançay, you will have to visit the magnificent castle and the Capazza Gallery, located in its outbuildings. Over an area of more than 2,000 m2, many works by artists are permanently on display. A wide range of works, from painting to sculpture, engraving and photography, not to mention ceramics, glass and goldsmith's work, opens up perspectives for all eyes in search of the wonderful and unusual
But the most exceptional one is undoubtedly the Pôle des Etoiles de Nançay. It's not every day you meet a place like this. Inaugurated in 1965, it is above all a radio astronomy station equipped with a large radio telescope, the fourth largest in the world receiving electromagnetic waves from the universe. Created twenty years ago for the general public to stimulate knowledge in the world of astronomy, both for young and old, the planetarium offers trips among the constellations in the atmosphere of a dark and deep sky. Unique!
In the Champagne Berry region, you should not miss the amazing Château La Grand'Cour. Dating from the late 13th century, its circular wall with 17 sides is no less than 40 metres in diameter, and is surrounded by water moats of good width. This shell fortress was certainly a strategic place during the Hundred Years' War due to its military architecture and its positioning on a line of fortified houses separating Berry and Nivernais. It is a living illustration of what a castle of this type is, very impressive, and one can only imagine what, for eight centuries, the stones lived and what they now transmit to us. Since June 2009, it has been included in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments.
Smart info
When? When? You can go there all year round, even if the arrival of the sunny days is obviously more pleasant.
Getting there. By train, by plane (via Paris) or by car (A77 and A71), everything is possible.
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MIXED SYNDICATE OF THE SOLON SANCERRE COUNTRY - More information on the website
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