Here is a list of iconic places in our region. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly as we make our own discoveries.
Argenton-sur-Creuse
At the rhythm of the Creuse, sometimes calm and serene, sometimes swirling and lively, Argenton reveals itself through alleyways of yesteryear, old watermills, houses with wooden galleries as if suspended above the river… From the esplanade of the Bonne Dame, a superb panorama unfolds, stretching towards the green hills of the Creuse valley.
Gargilesse Dampierre
Classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Gargilesse attracted many Impressionist painters captivated by the sight of its houses with their steeply pitched roofs, harmoniously clustered around the castle. This small artists' village, nestled in the heart of the Creuse Valley, still bears the marks of Armand Guillaumin and Léon Detroy, who, like Monet and later Francis Picabia, set up their easels on the banks of the Creuse River. The village is an essential stop for couples seeking a romantic weekend, following in the footsteps of George Sand and her last love, Alexandre Manceau.
Lake Eguzon
Lake Eguzon is the largest lake in the Centre region. Covering 312 hectares and stretching 17 km in length, it offers a wide range of water sports: sailing, windsurfing, pedal boating, water skiing, canoeing, paddleboarding, tubing, hiking, climbing, and mountain biking. Lifeguards are on duty in July and August, and there's a water park (with inflatable structures and a catapult) at Chambon beach (Eguzon). Whether fishing from a boat or the shore, you'll find an abundance of whitefish and predatory fish. Classified as a second-category fishing lake, a fishing license is required.
Neuvy St Sepulchre
The Basilica of Saint Stephen is a gem of Romanesque architecture: modeled after the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the basilica's rotunda was built by Eudes de Déols between the 11th and 12th centuries and later housed a few drops of Christ's blood brought back from the Crusades. A welcoming stop on the Way of St. James, this visit will provide an opportunity for wonderful encounters with locals who will introduce you to their Berry region with genuine warmth and simplicity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
St Benoit du Sault
Classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Saint-Benoît-du-Sault is a village that takes you back in time. The priory, bordered by narrow, cobbled streets, the fortified gates, the ramparts, the belfry, and the medieval houses with their studded doors are revealed during a picturesque climb. The village, perched on a rocky promontory, overlooks the verdant, steep-sided Portefeuille Valley.
Nohant, George Sand's House
The writer's house containing furniture and family mementos, a puppet exhibition, a park and garden, and a large reference bookstore on his work and life.
Brenne Natural Park
Ponds stretching as far as the eye can see and an exceptional patchwork of moors, woods, meadows, and heaths. You are in Brenne, a wild land and a jewel of biodiversity in France. Our advice? Make it your natural refuge; few places in France allow such a complete escape in the company of butterflies, dragonflies, animals, and birds that reign supreme here.
Arboretum of Le Sédelle
A valley of 400 species and 1,000 colors… In an idyllic six-hectare setting bordered by the Sédelle River, an arboretum of extraordinary richness. Collection of maples, dogwoods, lindens, rhododendrons, sweetgums… *Accredited by the Conservatory of Specialized Plant Collections, designated a "Remarkable Garden" since 2002. Entrance fees and opening hours may vary on event days (Plant Day, concerts, etc.).
Open from May to October, Thursday to Monday, 2pm/6pm. Prices: €6, free for under 15s.
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Parelles Park
Nature has reclaimed this former granite quarry that so inspired George Sand. Three paths wind through the 24 hectares of this site, dotted with giant granite boulders and crisscrossed by whispering streams. Far from mass tourism, just three hours from Paris, the Parc des Parelles, a designated Sensitive Natural Area, is a hidden gem that reveals a wild, almost magical natural world. At its heart, the verdant amphitheater comes alive in the summer with storytelling and musical performances. Berry truly lives up to its promise here!