Free walking tours in Bourges and what to see

Must-sees

Bourges is the historic capital of the Berry, in central France. Its great monument is the cathedral of Saint-Étienne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a nave without transepts, five portals on the façade and a very rich set of medieval stained glass. Beneath the choir you can visit the crypt, and from the north tower there is a wide view over the city and the countryside.

The Palais Jacques-Cœur, the residence built in the 15th century by Charles VII’s treasurer, is an outstanding work of civil Gothic and is run by the Centre des monuments nationaux. The old town keeps many half-timbered houses and Renaissance mansions such as the Hôtel Lallemant. Beside the River Yèvre lie the marais, old market gardens criss-crossed by canals where you can walk. In summer, the Nuits Lumière light up the streets after dark.

Free tours and guided visits

Bourges has no regular free walking tours. What Civitatis offers are tickets for the Palais Jacques-Cœur, which you can tour inside, with its halls and chapel. If you want explanations, ask at the tourist office about guided tours of the cathedral and the historic centre, a good way to understand the city in a short time.

How long to spend

In one day you can see the main sights: the cathedral with its crypt and tower in the morning, and in the afternoon the Palais Jacques-Cœur, the streets of the old town and the Archbishop’s Gardens. With two days you can add a quiet walk through the marais and, if you go in summer, the Nuits Lumière night route. From Bourges you can also drive to some of the châteaux on the Route Jacques Cœur.

Where to stay

The most practical place to stay is the old town, near the cathedral, with charming hotels and chambres d’hôtes in old houses. That way you can go out to see the Nuits Lumière without needing the car. Near the station and on the edges of town there are more functional hotels with parking, useful if you are just passing through.