Cities - Gite le Corbier

These places in the area are definitely worth a visit

When you want to spend a day out, visiting a town or village is definitely worthwhile. We have made a small selection near Gîte Le Corbier.

La Charité-sur-Loire

La Charité-sur-Loire, a typical French town that has retained its medieval charm. With small shops, supermarkets, restaurants and, on Saturdays, the weekly market.

But you visit this town mainly because of the priory “Notre Dame”, a work of art in the Romanesque style of Cluny and a Unesco World Heritage Site. For many years already they’re restoring the priory and church and the works are still going on.

Although the church has lost its Romanesque portal and original nave, it remains impressive.

From the 11th century, the poor and pilgrims en route to Compostella travelled along this route in search of the mercy ( la charité) of the monks at the abbey. The long stone bridge over the Loire became the symbol for all travellers.

The city is otherwise known by the old books and the word. Phrases with the word ‘mot’ (word) can be found in many places in the city, painted on facades and windows.

Bourges

About 50 km from Le Corbier lies the historic capital of the Berry: Bourges. The city is known for its historical and cultural heritage. This includes the Gothic ‘Cathédrale St.-Étienne’, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The cathedral shows pride, and is so special because it has no transept. The ancient stained-glass windows in the carved central portal are magnificent. Next to the cathedral, you will find the Archbishop’s garden with beautiful flower beds.

The city hosted a few kings and other powerful men in the past, such as Charles VII, Jean de Berry and Jacques Coeur. Naturally, this has left its mark on the city: one example is ‘Le Palais de Jacques- Coeur’, located in the historic quarter. It is one of the most impressive buildings of bourgeois Gothic architecture in France. Bourges is also home to numerous museums.

This city, with its cobbled alleys, half-timbered houses, Gothic and Renaissance mansions, small squares with cafés and boutiques, is a great place to stroll. Much of it is only accessible to pedestrians.

Also, don’t forget to visit ‘Les Marais de Bourges’ with its numerous gardens and little streams.

Apremont-sur-Allier

Also, don’t forget to visit ‘Les Marais de Bourges’ with its numerous gardens and little streams.

Chavignol

The small village of Chavignol, with just under 2,000 inhabitants, owes its fame to its exquisite raw milk goat cheese. “Crottin de Chavignol”. The cheese dairy occupies a central place in this wine village, and of course you can buy the cheeses in the adjoining shop. Believing that these goats, which supply the milk, can all be found in this village is a misconception. Most of the milk comes from surrounding areas! However, the Sancerre tourist office has hired a shepherd who, with some regularity, wanders through the village with his goats….

A bite of cheese together with a sip of delicious Sancerre is widely described as ‘a good marriage’.

From Gîte le Corbier, you can be in the centre of the village within half an hour.

Cosne-sur-Loire

Cosne-sur-Loire is located where the Nohain River flows into the Loire (just under 30 km from Gîte le Corbier). Its location (along the connecting axis between Paris and Lyon) made Cosne an important town in the early Middle Ages that was often under siege. Unfortunately, little or nothing is left from its turbulent past; in the 18th century, for instance, the city walls were razed to the ground.

Actually, apart from the very extensive shopping centre, there is not much to do in Cosne. However, you can go to the market on Wednesday mornings, where local farmers, among others, sell their products. The Sunday market also attracts a large crowd when the weather is nice.