Lets rewind the tape once again and go back to year 2020 to our hiking trip in Le Mont Dore France. The hiking part of the trip was over and done with but we still had the long 5 hour drive back home.
Naturally, we needed a place to stop along the way to break up the long sit in the car.
I happened to stumble upon the city of Bourges while researching a decent half way point between our two destinations. The city wasn't a must see location by any means, but it did have some nice character and a few decent sites to check out, so let me show those to you in case you happen to find yourself in the area one day.
First of all, Bourges is a mid sized city with a large old town. Its made up half timber homes that have stood the test of time and continue to add a lot of charm to the historic district of the city.
There was also an old palace by the name of Palaise Jacques Coeur, after the man who had it built back in the 15th century.
Coeur actually never made it to the palace having been arrested and exiled before he could move in.
The man actually has a very interesting history. He rose to power as a prominant merchant and statesman and ran a large monopoly on trade and debt. That was before being accused of poisoning the kings mistress to which he was imprisoned and then later exiled from the "realm." He was definitely a man of note in the city and the country as a whole at the time. His palace remains to be viewed to this day, and its Famboyant Gothic architecture is certainly worth checking out.
Like most cities in France, Bourges also had a very large 12th century Gothic Cathedral that acted as a central focal point in the city.
It was so tall that it sort of always remained in view no matter where we were when walking the streets around it's perimeter.
It was like it was making itself known to us in a "Here I am, look at me" sort of way.
It's body was a slow reveal for us, which added a lot to our curiosity and intrigue.
The cathedral was completed in the 13th century and was built in the classic Gothic architectural style common in France at the time.
Like many of the Gothic Cathedrals in the country this one was ornate and intricate in its design and florishes, all of which were meant to impress anyone who entered its doors.
Let's do that now shall we?
Lets check out its tall ceilings,
and arched columns.
No church is without some impressive stained glass, am I right?
Nice pop of color.
I've got some tall photos as well.
Here is It's Rose window.
Here is the organ.
A giant candelabra.
And another one.
I think that this is called the pulpit but I never went to church so don't quote me on that. Regardless what it is called, it was an impressive piece of furniture.
A large astronomical clock.
One last shot of the tall ceilings and the elongated columns.
After spending some time exploring the inside of the church we moved outside to see more of the exterior architecture at the back.
I love the flying buttresses of classic Gothic architecture.
There were also the gardens back there as well.
Shale pathways and tailored flower beds.
Random brass sculptures thrown in here and there.
It was a nice property to say the least.
There isn't much more that I can say about Bourges at this point. Again, it wasn't a must see city in France in my opinion but it did have a nice cathedral and a decent old town which made it a decent stop along our drive home.
Very nice this French city, the first pictures remind me of Colmar another city in France (I hope I'm not wrong), and your post is very attractive.
The half timber homes are similar to Colmar, I see what you're saying. Collar has a lot more to offer as a travel destination than Bourges though.
Both cities are beautiful and worth exploring.
I was there several years ago and I have to say that from your photos it still seems to be a well-kept town😍
Glad you got to see it!
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Hiya, @lizanomadsoul here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2369.
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