The best cycling routes around Etang De Goule

Beautiful and quiet resting place

Everyone knows the castle, but don't miss the church, located 100 meters across the street.

Located in the Cher department, the Ainay-le-Vieil castle, classified as a Historic Monument, is a superb family home passed down from generation to generation since 1467. Here, the medieval castle, the landscaped park and the gardens, which are listed as a Historic Monument and labeled “Remarkable Garden”. Ainay-le-Vieil is a 13th century fortified castle which has retained an intact defense system: gatehouse, towers, ramparts, parapet walk, two guardhouses and the moat. The courtyard and its two dwellings from the 13th century and the end of the 15th century take us on a journey through the centuries. The Castle purchased by the Lords of Bigny in 1467 is still inhabited by their descendants. There we discover the memories and traces of illustrious characters such as Louis XII and Anne of Brittany, Colbert, Marie-Antoinette or Napoleon. So many testimonies of French History to discover during guided tours, through superb and majestic salons. Ainay-le-Vieil also has Renaissance water gardens and a superb landscaped park with century-old trees. The tour of the exteriors guides the visitor on an introductory walk through the art of gardens: the rose garden with its old varieties, the two 17th century pavilions, the Carré en l'Île with its hornbeam structure cut into a palisade and its topiaries, the Chartreuses having in each of the five enclosures a garden with a different theme. The great particularity of this unique place is the omnipresence of water. Defensive when it surrounds the castle, it becomes pleasant when it runs around the gardens thanks to a judicious network of canals and becomes useful when it supplies the mill and the wash house with a clever set of shovels and weirs. Finally, the Ainay-le-Vieil castle also houses a Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. A permanent exhibition is presented to the public and reproduces the daily life of the village of Ainay-le-Vieil before the war of 1914. We discover the rural world, its customs, its daily life and the richness of the trades which existed there. era.

Castle which will not leave you indifferent as both parts, both that of the 13th century and that dating from the end of the 15th century, are well preserved, not to mention the gardens and the moat (still in water) which surround it. The descendants of the lords of Bigny, who acquired it in 1467, are still the owners. It can be visited and you can also spend the night there.

Exploring Château d'Ainay in Ainay-le-Vieil will reveal an enchanting medieval treasure. This historic castle, nestled in the heart of France, boasts stunning architectural features, including fortified walls, towers, and beautifully landscaped gardens. As you wander through the castle and its surroundings, you'll be transported to a bygone era where knights and nobles rubbed shoulders. Château d'Ainay is a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in immersing themselves in the region's rich heritage.

The equipped beach of this pond calls for swimming, especially after a good walk.

strong coffee in l'Univers

This magical and mysterious place in the Tronçais forest is a circular fountain surrounded by legends and stories, some of which date back to Gallo-Roman times. You can admire the inscription "The foresters at Velleda" on the edge of the fountain, in homage to the Germanic druidess who was venerated as the goddess of the forest. You can also try your luck by throwing a coin or a pin into the water, as some traditions say this will allow you to make a wish or get married. And if you're brave enough, you can visit the fountain at midnight on Christmas Eve, where some say you can hear the bells and moans of buried monks who have been punished for their sins.