The best road cycling routes around Orçay

In the 16th century, the parish church was located "to the south of the castle"; in 1624, Henri La Châtre, then Count of Nançay, made a request to the Archbishop of Bourges to have it moved; he complained of being "inconvenienced by the continual ringing of the bells";

Souesmes must have had some importance towards the end of the 8th century since during the division of the archbishopric of Bourges into archdeaconries themselves divided into archpriests, the priest of Souesmes received the title and function of archpriest. This archpriesthood included 32 parishes, all located to the east of Souesmes (except Salbris). It extended as far as the Loire to the northeast and to Boisbelle (Henrichemont) to the southeast as recalled by the table drawn up by Canon Augustin Petit, priest of Souesmes from 1892 to 1948, according to documents found in the archbishopric of Bourges. This table is still in place at the entrance to the church. The left side of the choir of the church of Souesmes is placed under the protection of Saint Julien, beheaded in Brioude around the year 304. The original building was no longer sufficient for the development of worship, which is why a larger Romanesque-style church was built on the same site during the Carolingian era. The walls of the nave bear witness to this period, the six windows being very small at the time. Carolingian terracotta modillions found in the walls during work in the 19th century allow us to date the period of construction of the walls. One of the modillions is in the Museum of Religious Art in Blois and two others, owned by SAHAS, are in the Marcel de Marchéville Archaeological Museum in Romorantin-Lanthenay (article by Joëlle Fallot - Jean-Marie Lorain published in the booklet "Souesmes heritage in your commune" produced by the departmental committee for heritage and archaeology in Loir-et-Cher and the municipality of Souesmes with the assistance of the general council of Loir-et-Cher).

Garden created in the 1930s, on the former grounds of a Benedictine abbey, in an "Art Deco" style by Eugène-Henry Karcher, with the presence of industrial materials of the time, concrete, steel and ceramic, on an area of 6000m² between the Berry canal and the Yèvre.

Behind this impressive gate is one of the most beautiful estates in Salbris, with at the end of this avenue the private castle of Rivaulde, all brick and half-timbered. It was built in 1524 and then belonged to the lords of Ferté-Imbault. It belonged to the painter Toulouse-Lautrec in the 19th century, who sold it to the Schneider brothers, who had the castle rebuilt by the architect Coulon, then nicknamed "little Vaux-le-Vicomte". Henri Schneider did not see the end of the work in 1902 and it was his wife who made it her main residence.

If you are looking for a city with rich history, beautiful environment and vibrant culture, you should visit Vierzon. It is located at the confluence of five rivers, including the Yèvre and the Cher, and is surrounded by a magnificent forest of 7,500 hectares. You can discover the heritage of Vierzon by visiting its museums, such as the Vierzon Museum, which presents the arts of fire and ceramics, or the Museum of Agricultural Machinery and Rurality, which presents agricultural machinery and rural life. You can also enjoy cultural events and festivals that take place throughout the year, such as Flower Power Week in October or the Jazz Festival in June. Vierzon is also an important railway hub, connecting Lyon, Nantes, Paris, Limoges and Toulouse, allowing you to travel to other destinations easily. Vierzon is a town that will surprise you with its charm and diversity.

Mehun-sur-Yèvre Castle was built in the 12th century and was the residence of several kings and queens of France, including Charles VII who died there in 1461. You can admire the architecture of the castle, which combines elements medieval and Renaissance, such as towers, ramparts and mullioned windows. You can also stroll through the magnificent French gardens which surround the castle and offer stunning views of the town and countryside. The castle is also a museum dedicated to Charles VII and his reign, where you can discover the history of this place and its role in the Hundred Years' War. Classified as a historic monument, the castle is a must-see for any history and culture lover.

Collegiate church from the end of the 11th century, which became a parish church at the time of the Revolution. The building is built according to a Benedictine plan and has been listed since 1886. One of its particularities lies in its twisted bell tower, which is covered with chestnut shingles.

Castle whose origins date back to the 12th century but which was rebuilt and restored several times until the 19th century, following different designs. Its facades, sides and roof as well as the interior staircase of the south wing have been listed in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments since 1986. It now houses the Capazza international contemporary art gallery over 2000m2.