シャトールーの洞窟・トップ9

Above the Indre River stands the castle that gave the entire town its name. Once, in the 10th century, a wooden fortress belonging to the lords of Déols stood here. In the 12th century, Raoul le Large had it rebuilt in stone—and ever since, it bears his name: Château-Raoul. From that castle, the town's name, Châteauroux, evolved.

Walk past this medieval castle and notice the contrast: a high keep with machicolations and details like coats of arms and an ornate tympanum above a door. Imagine it once being defended, while its inhabitants still sought comfort. And if you walk past it at dusk, the silhouettes of the towers and nature make it almost poetic.

A beautiful route full of variety! A delightful loop of approximately 8 km that includes everything: views of the Château de Chabenet, a stop at the charming Château du Petit-Broutet, the unique Pont Couvert bridge, and the impressive Viaduc de la Bouzanne. The mix of riverbanks, forests, and open fields ensures you'll constantly encounter a new setting. There are plenty of quiet spots along the way to pause and enjoy the surroundings. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy combining culture and nature.

From the chemin de charrières, which runs along La Bouzanne, you have a fantastic view of the castle above the path. The asphalt path is easy to walk on and has little traffic, even in addition to the fantastic view of the castle. The best way to get to this path from the castle is to walk to the railway bridge. Then turn left into the dead end before the railway bridge. This path, which is also asphalted, leads directly to the chemin de charrières, which you have to follow for about 1 km in the valley to get to the viewing point with a view of the castle. Just do it❗

Located in Châteauroux, Château Raoul is a historic gem dating back to the 14th century. It is surrounded by magnificent gardens and offers breathtaking views of the Indre. Recently renovated, it hosts cultural events and guided tours.

Châteauroux is a medieval town named after a nobleman, Raoul le Large, who built a castle on the banks of the Indre River. Over the centuries, the name Château Raoul evolved into Châteauroux. This historic town is also home to a Cluniac abbey founded in 917, whose grounds can be explored by canoe.

Built in the 1760s, the Château de Bouges located near Valençay elegantly illustrates the arts of the 18th century. When Claude Leblanc de Carnaval bought the estate in 1765, the old building present until then was razed to make way for an “Italian-style house”. This new, up-to-date construction displays the ambition of the rich ironmaster, who managed to rise in the world of Parisian finance and was recently ennobled. Ruined twelve years later, his castle was seized and sold. During the 19th century, successive buyers included the Prince of Talleyrand and Henri Dufour, who restored the castle and had the park landscaped in the English style. The Château de Bouges owes its transformation above all to the Viguier couple: Henry, director of a Parisian department store, and his wife Renée. Acquired in 1917, the Château de Bouges regained its initial vocation as a sumptuous residence. The Viguier couple brought the castle back to life with the acquisition of exceptional furniture dating from the 18th century, which wonderfully expresses the taste for well-being and refinement specific to the society of that era in harmony with the setting. Left without descendants, they bequeathed the castle to the State in 1967. Of elegant Italian construction, the charm of this castle lies in its inhabited appearance. A visit that will transport you to the elegance of the 18th century! After visiting the castle, be sure to discover the English-style park designed by the landscaper Achille Duchêne at the beginning of the 20th century. The winding paths allow you to discover varied views of the Château de Bouges all along the walk. The stone balustrade separates the park from the French garden where boxwood embroidery and trimmed yews are bordered by lime trees. The old vegetable garden, transformed into a flower garden by Madame Viguier, is today dedicated to the cultivation of flowers used for the composition of the bouquets which adorn the rooms of the castle. A visit to the outbuildings made up of the stables, the saddlery and the orangery allows you to discover Henri Viguier's passion for horse riding.

This castle has a rich history. The castle has many historic pieces of furniture, as well as a large park of around 50 hectares, alternating gardens and forests. It also played an important role during the Second World War, as a warehouse for the Louvre's works of art.