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Bourges, France

Peterborough and Bourges were twinned in 1957. This initiative was led by a small group of teachers from Peterborough, one of whose husband came from Bourges.

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

Photo of Bourges Cathedral

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