The Cher - discovering the department
Discovering the Cher: heritage, landscapes and gastronomy
Located in the heart of France Dear is a department rich in history, varied landscapes and culinary traditions. Part of the Centre-Val de LoireIt offers visitors a multitude of tourist sites, picturesque towns and gastronomic specialities to discover.
Must-see tourist sites in the Cher
The Cher region is home to numerous tourist sites that bear witness to its rich historical and cultural past. Here is a selection of places not to be missed during your visit.
Saint-Étienne de Bourges Cathedral
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saint-Étienne Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its remarkable stained glass windows and imposing facade make it one of the department's most emblematic monuments.
The Jacques-Cœur Palace
Built in the 15th century by the great treasurer of King Charles VII, the Palais Jacques-Cœur is an outstanding example of Gothic civil architecture in France. Its richly decorated rooms and fascinating history attract many visitors every year.
Cher castles
The département boasts a number of interesting châteaux, including the 13th-century Gothic Château de Meillant and the 14th-century Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil, surrounded by magnificent gardens.
Museums and cultural sites
Among the museums not to be missed, the Musée des Fours Banaux in Vierzon offers a glimpse into local history, in particular that of the old seigniorial ovens where local residents used to bake their bread.
Cher landscapes and towns
The Cher region has a wide variety of landscapes and charming towns and villages.
The varied landscapes of the Cher
The département offers a mosaic of landscapes, from the dense forests of Sologne to the rolling vineyards of Sancerre. The banks of the Canal de Berry and the Cher are ideal for peaceful strolls and water sports.
Bourges, historic capital
Prefecture of the Cher department, Bourges is a city of art and history. In addition to its famous cathedral, the city boasts a well-preserved medieval center with half-timbered houses, town houses and remarkable gardens, such as the Bourges marshes, the city's green lung.
Picturesque villages
The Cher is dotted with villages of authentic charm. Among them, Sancerre, perched on a hill, offers breathtaking views over the surrounding vineyards and is renowned for its AOC white wine. Saint-Amand-Montrond, famous for its jewelry-making tradition, is also well worth a visit.
The Centre-Val de Loire region and neighbouring departments
The Cher is surrounded by departments with varied natural and cultural riches, which together form the Centre-Val de Loire region.
Neighbouring departments
The Cher shares its borders with several departments:
Indre To the west, with preserved natural sites such as the Brenne regional nature park.
Visit Loir-et-Cher To the north-west, famous for its Loire castles and Sologne forests.
Le Loiret The north, with its rich historical heritage and cities such as Orléans.
Nièvre To the east, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, known for its rolling countryside and vineyards.
The Allier In the south-east, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, renowned for its spas and medieval architecture.
La Creuse To the south, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, offering bucolic landscapes and rich craftsmanship.
The Centre-Val de Loire region
Comprising six départements (Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret and Eure-et-Loir), the Centre-Val de Loire region is the cradle of the French Renaissance. It is renowned for its majestic châteaux, prestigious vineyards and refined gastronomy.
Gastronomy and specialities of the Cher
The Cher has a rich culinary tradition, reflecting the generosity of its terroir.
Visit Dearlocated in the Centre-Val de Loireis an area rich in culinary specialties The Cher region's gastronomic traditions are a testament to its authentic terroir and gastronomic expertise. Here are just a few of the Cher's gastronomic highlights:
Savoury specialities from the Cher
Berrichon pâté
Emblematic dish of the Berry region pâté berrichon is a pie filled with a stuffing based on pork meat and vealwithhard-boiled eggs in the center. This specialty, often served at festive meals, can be enjoyed hot or cold.
The potato pancake
Typical of the Berry region potato pancake is a kind of thick cake made with grated potatoes, crème fraîche and sometimes cheese. It is baked in the oven and can be served as a side dish or on its own, with a green salad.
Black pudding from Lignières
Visit black puddingprepared according to a traditional recipe based on blood and pork meatis a renowned speciality in Lignièresa small commune in the Cher department. It is often eaten with baked apples.
Chavignol crottins
Even though this PDO goat is also produced in the neighboring department of Nièvre, and is emblematic of the Cher region. It can be enjoyed fresh, semi-dry or matured, and is often used in local recipes such as the Crottin de Chavignol tart.
Cher's sweet specialties
Nançay shortbread
Small, round, golden cookies. Nançay shortbread are a sweet specialty enjoyed throughout the département. They are handmade with local butter and flour, giving them a melt-in-the-mouth texture and delicate taste.
Forestines de Bourges
Created in Bourges at the end of the 19th century, the forestines are sweets filled with a melting ganache coated with a thin layer of crunchy sugar. This confection is a must-have for lovers of sweet treats.
Sancerre pear tart
Although better known in the neighbouring Touraine region, the poire tapée is a culinary tradition that has also left its mark on the Cher region. Pears are dried in wood-fired ovens, then flattened, giving them an intense, sweet flavor.
Cher wines
The Cher is also known for its renowned winesparticularly those of the Sancerre and Menetou-Salonwhich produce dry, fruity white winesperfect with goat's cheese and regional dishes.
Visit Dear is an ideal destination for lovers of good foodwhere you can discover a culinary heritage and high-quality local produce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Cher department
What are the Cher's must-see tourist attractions?
Visit Dear is packed with iconic places to visit. Among them, the Saint-Étienne de Bourges cathedrala UNESCO world heritage site, the Jacques-Cœur palaceas well as Meillant and Ainay-le-Vieil castles. The vineyards of Sancerre and Bourges marshes are also must-see sites.
What is the largest city in Cher?
The Cher department's largest city and prefecture is Bourges. With its rich historical and cultural heritage, it attracts many visitors every year thanks to its monuments, festivals and marshes.
Which departments are close to Cher?
The Cher is surrounded by several départements:
- Indre (to the west)
- Loir-et-Cher (to the northwest)
- Loiret (to the north)
- Nièvre (to the east)
- Allier (to the southeast)
- Creuse (to the south)
It is part of the Centre-Val de Loire.
What are the Cher's culinary specialities?
Visit Dear has a rich gastronomic tradition, with dishes such as pâté berrichonthe potato pancakeand the black pudding from Lignières. On the cheese side, the crottin de Chavignol is a must. Sweet treats include Nançay shortbread and forestines de Bourges. The perfect accompaniment to Sancerre and Menetou-Salon wines.
What's the weather like in the Cher?
Visit Dear benefits from degraded oceanic climatewith continental influences. Summers are generally hot and drywhile winters are cold with some precipitation. Spring and autumn are mild, providing an ideal setting for tourism.
When is the best time to visit the Cher?
The best time to visit Dear extends from May to SeptemberIt's also the season for festivals and cultural events. It's also the season for festivals and cultural events at Bourges and Sancerre.
What family activities are available in the Cher?
The department of Dear offers a wide range of family-friendly activities:
- Visit to the Saint-Aignan animal park
- Walks in the Bourges marshes
- Hiking and cycling along the Berry canal
- Interactive discovery of the Musée du Berry in Bourges
What are the wines of the Cher?
Visit Dear is famous for its AOC wines including :
- Sancerre (white, red and rosé)
- Menetou-Salon (white, red, rosé)
- Reuilly and Quincy (white wine speciality)
These wines are the perfect accompaniment to local dishes and goat's cheese.
How to get to the Cher?
Visit Dear can be reached by car via theA71 and theA85. By train, Bourges is served by lines connecting Paris, Orléans and Clermont-Ferrand. The nearest airport is Châteauroux.
Why visit the Cher?
Visit Dear is an ideal destination for lovers of history, nature and gastronomy. Between its historic sitesits renowned vineyardsits picturesque villages and its culinary specialtiesIt offers an authentic getaway full of discoveries.
