Bourges trip planner

For a peek into the architecture of a Roman city, with a monumental gate, aqueducts, thermae, amphitheater, and ruins of the Gallo-Roman walls, visit Bourges, the capital of the Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The whole city is full of lovely half-timbered and stone houses that's characteristic of Bourges. To the north of the historic center, the Marais has many gardens divided by canals for you to explore. Historical boulevards particularly worth visiting are the Rue Bourbonnoux and Rue Coursalon accessible by train from Paris Austerlitz in about 1 hour 45 minutes, or via the A71 motorway from Paris via Orléans.

Activities for the entire family include chartering a boat trip around the Marais, or you can go to the Plan d'eau, an artificial lake with a 6 km (3.7 mi) walking trail. Bicycle and rollerblade rentals are available to explore the town on many of the relatively flat paved paths. Most shops are located in the town center and concentrated on rue Moyenne, a popular shopping boulevard. It's important to note that many eateries, restaurants, cafes, and attractions are closed on Sunday. While in Bourges, be sure to try the commune's specialty candy called Forestine. Plan your trip to Bourges and other France destinations using our handy France journey planner.