Location
Located on the Yevre river at the centre of France close to the
A71 autoroute and approximately 220km from Paris. Region - Centre
(Berry), Department - Cher.
History
Bourges is a rich historical town with medieval and renaissance
architecture, ancient ramparts and the impressive Cathedral
of St Etienne. Dauphin Charles VII planned the re-conquest of
his kingdom guided by Joan of Arc and supported by the Berry
financial adviser Jacques Coeur, born in 1395. Jacques Coeur
remains the symbolic figure of Bourges.
Tourist attractions
The city has magnificent half-timbered medieval houses in the
largest preserved historical area in France and also Gothic
renaissance and classical buildings. The Cathedral, has been on
UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation) World Heritage list since 1992. At certain times
during the summer months of July and August parts of the city are
illuminated in the evening transforming the
ambience.
Geography
Bourges is a green city. To the south there are woods, to
the north forests, to the west lakes and to the east the Sancerre
vineyards. It is nationally honoured as the flowering city where
parks, gardens and landscapes have been preserved and
developed.
Sports
Bourges has a wide range of facilities which are able to host
both national and international events. The Prado Sports Centre is
the largest with a spectator capacity of up to 3,000. Sports
offered in Bourges are watersports, riding, tennis, squash, golf,
hand gliding, microlites and the Bourges-Sancerre walk.
Cultural events
Bourges Maison de la Culture was the first in France and holds
various festivals and events. The Spring Music Festival has made
headlines every year since it started in 1977. It features hundreds
of contemporary music acts from rock to rappers and lasts for one
week during the French Easter holidays. During the first week of
June there is the Festival Synthèse, an electronic and acoustic
music event. Then throughout the summer months of June to
late September there is Un Été à Bourges, a line-up of free
outdoor performances.
Economy
Armament and defence are the main industries in Bourges with 90%
of the population working in this sector.
Community twinning links
The twinning link is supported by The Peterborough Anglo-French
Association and in Bourges by the Association France Grande
Bretagne, which visit each other every year.
Other links with Bourges
Kings school, Peterborough Cathedral Choir, Peterborough Chamber
Choir (visits in 1997 and 1999), Peterborough Rotary Club,
Dogsthorpe Fire Station, Peterborough Rugby Club. In april
2009 Peterborough motorcycle club joined their long-standing
French friends to take part in the Acetylene Moto Club (in Bourges)
32nd Paris-Bourges Classic Motorcycle Rally.
Twinning activities organised with the
International Links Service
- May 2001 Bourges Rugby club visit to Peterborough
- May 2002 Peterborough Colts return visit to Bourges
- 2004 artist represents Peterborough at art event
- 22 - 27September 2005 free Eurotunnel travel for coach trip to
Bourges for the Peterborough Anglo French Association to celebrate
anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.
- 14 - 17 September 2005 National Fire Service Congress in
Bourges, Peterborough Fire Brigade will attend with Fire
Engine
- July 2007 event to celebrate 50th anniversary of
twinning between Bourges and Peterborough held in Peterborough
- Current work - By 2010 all primary schools should be teaching
modern foreign languages, in order to assist them and to make
language learning more interesting I am hoping to set up links
between primary schools in Peterborough and primary schools in twin
towns.16 primary schools wish to find a school to link with in
Bourges.
Useful links