Berry is a natural and historical province, which includes part of the departments of Indre and Cher, and whose capital is the city of Bourges. Located in the center of France and only 2 hours from Paris, Berry is an ideal destination for a weekend or a stay in the countryside. Between nature, soil and heritage, I will show you the places you can’t miss in Berry.
If you are a nature lover, you will love Berry!
The natural landscapes of Berry are very varied. You have many possibilities from short walks to more challenging hikes. You will be able to pass quickly from the fields of colza in flowers, to the vineyards, while passing by forests of oaks, fields of wheat, and ponds.
It is necessary to know that Berry is a refuge of numerous animal species. You could see hinds, a weasel, rabbits, and birds of various races.
There are many beautiful castles to be found in Berry. There are more than twenty of them to visit, each one more interesting than the other. Scattered all over the territory, you are bound to find what you are looking for if you are a culture lover. Personally, I like castles a lot, and I like to visit them by going around calmly and trying to soak up the atmosphere. Some castles can also be visited from the inside, but these are guided tours. I advise you to ask about the duration of the tours and their contents. Here are my favorite ones:
The Valençay estate is a French heritage site with a unique history that began in the Renaissance with the Estampes family before becoming the home of the illustrious Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, an outstanding diplomat and minister of Napoleon. The castle is richly furnished with historical furniture and benefits from a large park of about 50 hectares alternating gardens and forest. It also played an important role during the Second World War as a repository for works of art from the Louvre.
Today, the castle is driven by the desire to share a unique experience with visitors who will appreciate the art of living in all its components as well as the vibrations of a living place.
I really enjoyed visiting the castle of Azay-le-Ferron, with its rich architecture from the 15th to the 18th century, it is a real time machine that will transport you through the styles and artistic periods. You will be able to go through the numerous lounges, bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, library… That is to say about 15 sumptuously furnished rooms in which lived the Hersent Luzarche family, owner since 1852, who bequeathed the domain to the city of Tours in 1951. The castle has a huge landscaped park. This magnificent green setting, redesigned by the Bühler brothers, famous landscape designers, reveals a multitude of tree species, boxwood beds and topiaries, a collection reputed to be among the most beautiful in France. The walk continues with flower gardens where the rose collection dominates. Orchards based on old varieties complete the plant diversity of the site.
Between Berry and Bourbonnais, the castle is classified as a historical monument since 1914. It includes an imposing keep and the remains of a fortified enclosure set with towers, bordered by a moat fed by a stream, the Sagonin. The French gardens, created at the beginning of the 18th century and since disappeared, long attributed to André Le Nôtre, were in fact one of Jules Hardouin-Mansart’s emblematic achievements in this field.
To visit these castles, you must present a valid health pass. Don’t hesitate to contact our team for more informations.
You can find many charming towns and villages in Berry. I advise you to stroll through the streets of the town of Sancerre, well known for its vineyards. Perched on a rocky outcrop at an altitude of 300 meters, the town overlooks the hills and the Loire Valley. It is a superb spot!
I advise you to make a detour to the town of Aubigny-sur-Nère, which I had the opportunity to see. Located in the north of the Berry region, the town belonged to Scotland for a long time, which gives it a Scottish heritage that is still very present today.
The Berry is a corner of greenery, authentic, in the peace, that I appreciated a lot by visiting it. It must be said that the center of France is not often promoted as a vacation destination, which is a real shame. The Berry is easily accessible if you live in Paris, or if you leave from the airports of Orly or Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle. For me, it’s a great place to spend a weekend in the countryside!
I hope you will enjoy this post and that it will give you the desire to discover the beautiful province of Berry.
If you enjoyed this post The jewels of Berry, a historical province, you can check My last trip in the Loire Valley.
