Discovering Two Interesting French Cities: Montluçon and Bourges

You can start the day by visiting the medieval city of Montluçon inside the battlements. Walking around this city is the best way to get to know it.
The Parc Wilson is a must-do visit, as this 12,000 m² garden has been classified as a historic and picturesque site since 1952.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: In December and January: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. In February, March, October, and November: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. In April, May, and September: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. In June, July, and August: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
There’s also the Museum of Popular Music to visit if you’re interested in music. In this museum, you’ll discover the largest collection of instruments and musical objects in France over more than 3300 m². There are also more than 150 listening systems to listen to your favourite music.
For more information, please visit the official website.

The Castle of the Dukes of Bourbon is a former 13th-century fortified castle, and it has been listed as a historical monument since 1926. The castle’s master tower is one of the tallest buildings in the city. The different rooms will let you discover the traditions of time.
For more information, please visit the official website.

At Restaurant La Chapelle, located in Montluçon, you’ll have the opportunity to eat in a gastronomic restaurant with one Michelin Star in a stunning place. Not every day do you have the opportunity to eat in an old chapel converted into a restaurant!
As well as enjoying the decor, you’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the creativity of the dishes, which change with the seasons. The mixture of flavours is also remarkable, as is the presentation of the dishes.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: For lunch Sunday – Thursday: For dinner
Book your table in advance on the official website.

What a pleasure to be able to sail on the Berry Canal! You can have a tour with electric boats without the need for a permit. There are lots of advantages to electric boats: they’re autonomous, comfortable, and silent, which is perfect to enjoy the view and the calm of the place.
The tour lasts about an hour for the round trip (5 km) and the boat seats up to eight people.
Opening Hours: From May to September only on weekends and holidays: 10:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Every day in July and August: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Click here to book a tour. Phone number: +33645556426.

You can continue your journey with a walking tour of the charming city of Bourges. Don’t miss out on seeing the Cathedral Saint-Étienne de Bourges! This monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but only the crypt of the cathedral can be visited.
Opening Hours: Guided tour only, every day except Sunday morning May – August: 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m./2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. September: 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m./2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. October – March: 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m./2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November, and 25 December
For more information, please visit the official website.
If you like museums, it’s worth visiting the Natural History Museum in Bourges.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday during the school holidays in zone B: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
There’s also the Palais Jacques Coeur representing 15th-century Gothic art, which you can also see in this beautiful city, since it’s not very far from Bourges Cathedral.

Built on the side of a hill, Blois is a great city to discover, with lots of stairs, slopes, and climbs. Located on the banks of the Loire, it offers a magnificent view of the royal river and the Jacques-Gabriel bridge from its heights.
Good to know: thanks to the tourism office, you can visit the city at your own pace, with four marked footpaths which roam the city.

In addition to spending the night, the Château de Pray is a good place to eat in the Loire. Their gastronomic restaurant has one star in the Michelin Guide, and it fully deserves it!
The restaurant is situated in a stunning 120 m² troglodyte room, which gives a lot of character to the place.
You can book a table here.
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
After the dinner, you’ll appreciate staying on site for the night. Château de Pray is perfectly located to visit the castles of the Loire. It’s nestled in a wooded five-hectare park with great gardens and a heated swimming pool. They have 19 rooms and suites.
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