FAMILY FRIENDLY GITE CHEZ JABIER

Cities.

The Medieval town of Montlucon.

The castle of the Duke of Bourbon dominates the old centre of the town of Montlucon. Nowadays, you can visit the museum of fol music in this impressive medieval building. Close to the museum is the castle 'La Louviere' with its beautiful gardens which you can visit as well. Taste the authentic atmosphere during the weekly French market each Saturday in the centre of town. Small and big  stall offer you a range of regional delicacies.

 Chateauroux

The bustling town of Chateauroux, Indre's premier town, has a rich cultural heritage, with many museums and historic buidings. It is situated on the banks of the river Indre, and has good road links with the capita Paris, which is only 2 hours away. Unlike the capital, the pace of life here is very relaxing. There are many dozens of restaurants here, including Indian and Chinese, just in case your missing your favourite curry. There are guided visits of both the nature reserve and the historic centre, get details from the tourist office at Chateauroux, also direct rail links with Argenton-Sur-Creuse.

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.Culan Chateaux

A castle like this one exists in children's imaginations, the castle of Culan is situated on a big rock and has three round towers and small windows.The construction of the castle started around 1200 and only 3 centuries later it was finished.In summer, guided tours and falcon shows are organised as well as a medieval festival. The castle boosts a herbal medicinal garden which is also worth a visit.

Chateaux of Ainay-le Vieil

During the guided tour in the castle of Ainay le Vieil, you can walk on the battlements. The courtyard of this medieval castle is occupied by a building from the Renaissance. The gardens ar open to the public and offer the oppurtunity for a nice relaxing stroll.

Sarzay Chateaux

In the little village of Sarzay is the magnificent ancient feudal castle dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Opento the public, you can climb its high towers and see how many people may have lived several hundred years ago. It was the setting for George Sand's novel Le Meunier d'Angibault.Sarzay is remarkable in that it was ruins a few years ago, and was rescued and painstakingly restored by the efforts of one man and his family.It is one of the most visited buildings in France.

Valencay  Chateaux

Valencay is one of the finest Renaissance monuments in France.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, several extensions were added to the chateau, and in particular a new wing giving on to the formal courtyard, marking the advert of neo-classical architecture to the Loire Valley.

Valencay's grandeur also stems in part from the admirable garden setting,offering a mix of formal perfection in the French-style garden, and extensive natural parkland laid out as an English landscaped garden roamed by deer and peacock.

Arboretum of .Villeneuve-sur-Allier

One of the oldest and most beautiful gardens in France is situated around the castle of 'Balaine' in Villeneuve-sur-Allier.The English garden was laid out in 1804 and contains over 2500 different plants.

Vieure Chateaux

Castle 'La Salle' in the village of Vieure is surrounded by moats. You can visist the beautiful wild flower garden as well as the vegetable garden where rare vegetables are cultivated or the small chapel. The castle itself is not open to visitors.

Gardens Of Drulon

In four beautiful gardens, around 50 artists show their work. The terrain consisits of a wild flower garden and a rose garden next to the castle. You can wander around the swampy area with plentty of ferns and a big fen. Upon your return, you pass a garden with permanent plants and an amphitheatre. The combination of art and nature will surprise you.