Bourges is a commune in central France on the Yèvre river. It is the capital of the department of Cher and also was the capital of the former province of Berry.

History

The name of the city is either derived from, the Bituriges; the name of the original inhabitants; or from the Germanic Burg (French: Bourg. Spanish: Burgos. English, others: Burgh, Berg, or Borough), for "hill/village". Its Celtic name was Avaricon. In the Gallic Wars, the Gauls practiced a scorched-earth policy, but the inhabitants of Avaricon begged not to have their city burned, and it was spared due to its good defenses provided by the surrounding marshes and a strong southern wall.

The third century Saint Ursinus, also known as Saint Ursin, is considered the first bishop of the city. Currently, Bourges is the seat of an archbishopric.

The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Etienne, begun at the end of the twelfth century, is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is considered the earliest example of the high gothic style of the thirteenth century.

During the Middle Ages, Bourges was the capital of a Viscounty until the fourteenth century. The future king, Charles VII, sought refuge there. His son, Louis XI, was born there in 1423. In 1438, Charles decreed the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges. During this period, Bourges was also a major capital of alchemy.

The city has a long tradition of art and history, other sites of importance include the Palace of Jacques C?ur and a sixty-five-hectare district of timber houses and grande homes.

The Impressionist painter, Berthe Morisot, was born in Bourges on January 14, 1841.

Main sights

Floorplan of the cathedral of Bourges

• Its Gothic cathedral (built 1195–1255) was added to the list of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1992
• Jacques C?ur's Palace
• The Maurice Estève Museum
• The marshes of the Yevre and Voiselle Rivers, was listed in 2003 as a French Natural Monument or Site
• The ruins of the Gallo-Roman walls

Colleges and universities

• University of Bourges
• École nationale des beaux-arts de Bourges

Twin towns

• - Augsburg, Germany
• - Aveiro, Portugal
• - Forlì , Italy
• - Koszalin, Poland
• - Palencia, Spain
• - Peterborough, United Kingdom

Trivia

Flag of Bourges

See also

• Saint-Benoît-du-Sault

External links

• Official website of the City of Bourges
• Bourges, the departement of Cher (French and English)

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