Bourges

Bourges is a city in central France, prefecture of the Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region. It lies on the Yèvre River and is the historic capital of the former province of Berry. The commune has about 65,000 inhabitants, with a larger urban area of roughly 110,000.

Historically, Bourges grew from the ancient Gallic settlement of Avaricum, later a Roman town, and emerged as a religious and commercial center in the Middle Ages. Its old town preserves a medieval street plan and monuments reflecting Gothic and Renaissance styles.

The Cathedral of Saint-Étienne is a prominent Gothic church begun in the 12th century, noted for its lantern tower and luminous windows. The Palais Jacques-Cœur, a 15th-century residence built by the financier Jacques Coeur, is a landmark of flamboyant Gothic architecture and now houses a museum.

Culturally, Bourges hosts the Printemps de Bourges, a major annual music festival since 1977. The Musée du Berry offers collections of local history and fine arts, while the city’s historic center provides arcaded shopping streets and notable architecture.

The economy centers on administration, education, commerce and light industry. Bourges is served by a railway station on regional lines and by Bourges Airport, a small airfield. It is connected by regional roads to Orléans and Vierzon and toward Paris.

Notable figures associated with Bourges include Jacques Coeur, a 15th-century merchant whose palace bears his name. The city is also recognized for its markets and regional gastronomy.