"LA VIEILLE FORGE"

   LOCAL INFORMATION

Local Activities

Ste. Sévère-sur-Indre

The Village of Vijon

The Church of Vijon

The village of Vijon comprises a few houses, the town hall which is also a small primary school (for about ten children; it is closed in July and August), a pretty little church, a picturesque cemetery and a newly built small bar and grocery shop, which is also open on Sunday. Bigger shops are at 10 km distance, and various vendors come to the village on different days with their van to sell their products (the baker comes every day). You can also buy local wine and beverages directly from a wholesaler by the village square, although the tap water in Vijon is so pure and sweet that you may choose to drink just that.

Vijon's Cemetery

Vijon is a very quiet place: apart from the occasional car passing by and the few children in the village school, the only sounds you will hear will be those of the cows mooing to the moon in the nearby fields, or the church bells announcing the sunset. Even the street lights are sometimes switched off late at night. At "La Vieille Forge" you will experience the peace and silence of the countryside, with the added benefit of knowing that you are not completely isolated, and there are (a few) people nearby if you need them.

Local Activities

"La Vieille Forge" is an ideal base for those interested in water sports (in particular, canoeing and kayaking along one of the many rivers of the area, or in one of the 120 lakes of the Brenne).  Water sports are also available at Sidiailles (28 km from Vijon), as well as sandy lakeside beaches.  You may also choose cycling or rambling tours of the green and diverse valleys. La Châtre (23 km from Vijon) offers a fantastic public swimming pool complex, with indoors and outdoors pools, sauna, etc.

In the area there are countless marvellous gardens to visit (from Romantic rose gardens, to secular parks, to marshes, to conservation gardens rich in medicinal plants), as well as animal conservation parks at Guéret (wolves) and in the Brenne (a Paradise for birds and deer).

Golf is available at Pouligny-Notre-Dame (13 km from Vijon).

The number of medieval, Renaissance and 18^th century châteaux that one can visit even very near Vijon is enormous, as is that of the Romanesque churches and Abbeys in the Berry region (whilst Bourges Cathedral is a world-recognized masterpiece of Gothic architecture). There are archaeological remains (Gaulish and Gallo-Roman), literary associations (George Sand, Alain Fournier) and artistic connections (Claude Monet and the Impressionists, world-famous porcelain and enamelware, Aubusson tapestries), as well as several unusual museums and exhibitions to visit, dedicated to anything from sorcery to men's shirts, from gold to walking sticks.

The Berry Region

The region is  well worth a visit for its rich but simple traditional food, its many types of cow and goat cheese, and its delicious wines, several of which, like those from Sancerre, have attained world-wide recognition.

The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a favourite part of France for many, renowned for its fairytale castles, its sparkling rivers and its vineyards. Called "the garden of France", the valley of the river Loire (the longest river in France) finds its heart in the gentle city of Tours, and boasts more than 300 châteaux of all shapes and sizes, dating from the 12^th to the 18^th century (it is the highest concentration of palatial houses anywhere in the world, proof of the love that the French Kings and nobility always had for this beautiful region and its temperate climate).

The Auvergne

The Auvergne is the volcanic region of France, famous for its dramatic landscapes and its mineral water springs, which have medicinal properties. It is a picturesque region, with a varied and interesting landscape, ideal for those who love cycling or rambling in its entrancing forests, or even just want to admire the bucolic scenery from the comfort of their car.  In the words of  one of the guests of "La Vieille Forge":

The drive to the Auvergne down the A71 is one of the most breathtaking we have ever done (…). 

The Auvergne offers a fascinating and unusual experience in the visit to the Volcanic Theme Parc and research establishment of Vulcania (near Clermont-Ferrand, about 160 km from Vijon), a 55-hectar development housed inside an extinct volcano (over two thirds underground) and designed by the award-winning architect Hans Hollein.

To visit the website of Vulcania please click here

SOME TOWNS AND VILLAGES WELL WORTH A VISIT:

Ste. Sévère-sur-Indre

This village north of "La Vieille Forge", which houses an impressive medieval covered market (17^th century), is the location where Jacques Tati (1909-1982), the cinematographic genius of French comedy better known for his Mr. Hulot, directed in 1948 his first feature film, "Jour de fête" ("The Big Day" or "Holiday"). Tati, a Jew, was a refugee in Le Marembert (which is part of the municipality of Vijon) during the Second World War. "Jour de fête", which was an international success, winning the Best Screenplay Award at the Venice Film Festival and being declared by Jean-Luc Godard to mark the birth of French Neo-realism, takes inspiration from the super-efficient US postal service and features Tati as a "mad bicycling postman" who decides to modernize mail delivery in his small village. According to Tati's biographer David Bellos, the film ridicules "all the things Tati disliked: work, efficiency, hurry and organization". The castle of Ste. Sévère and the dilapidated tower in its grounds are also the setting for George Sand's novel Mauprat, which depicts the clash between feudalism and more modern social and ideological attitudes.

Boussac

Boussac Castle

A tranquil village in the Creuse department, about 15 km south of "La Vieille Forge", whose history is intimately linked to that of its château, built in the 12th century on the edge of a cliff, destroyed during the Hundred Years' War, and rebuilt in the 15th century by Jean de Brosse, companion in arms of Joan of Arc. The renowned 19th century novelist Georges Sand resided in the castle, and the famous 15th century tapestry "The Lady and the Unicorn" was discovered here. The castle also houses an interesting exhibition of walking sticks.

One can also visit the restored 15^th century church on Sainte Anne and the Rural Museum (17,000 m² dedicated to agriculture and agricultural implements from the Middle Ages onwards). Excursions to Les Pierres Jaumâtres (extraordinary granite formations, perhaps once the site of human sacrifice) and to Toulx-Sainte-Croix (Neolithic, Gaulish and Gallo-Roman remains; Romanesque church).

Châteaumeillant

Another village to the north of "La Vieille Forge", where one can visit: the Romanesque church of St. Genès (12^th century); the church of Notre Dame la Petite, called "Le Chapitre" (11^th -12^th and 16^th century); the Archaeological Museum Émile Chenon; well-defined rambling routes, and taste the local variety of white and red wine produced in the area.

Vesdun

Vesdun (south of St. Amand-Montrond, nr. Culan) is designated by the National Geographic Institute as the "geographical centre" of France.

Bruère-Allichamps

Bruère-Allichamps (north of St. Amand-Montrond) is popularly thought since 1865 to mark the geographical centre of France.

Bourges

A bit further away from "La Vieille Forge", this is a city with a rich medieval past that will appeal to art lovers. Bourges is built on the slopes of a hill lapped by a network of rivers and canals. The magnificent Gothic cathedral of St. Étienne can be seen emerging from the Berry countryside when approaching the city. Visit Jacques Coeur's Great House; see the relic of the Apostle St. Jacques in the church of Saint Bonnet; stroll among the gardens and canals of Les Marais, or experience the magic of a night walk among the illuminated monuments of this unique city.

To find out more about Bourges please       click here.

Mehun-sur-Yèvre

This charming old town (nr. Bourges) is a centre of porcelain manufacture. Visit the Musée Charles VII, the water Gardens of the Duc Jean-de-Berry, the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame, and the Rue Jeanne-d'Arc, flanked by old houses with their wells, among which is the building where Joan of Arc stayed (n. 87).

Nohant-Vic

Not too far from "La Vieille Forge", nr. La Châtre, this village is the location of the house of Aurore Dupin baroness Dudevant, better known as George Sand (1804-1876), where she grew up and lived for most of her life, receiving famous guests like de Musset, Chopin (both were also her lovers) and Balzac, and where she wrote most of her books and is buried.

Sarzay

This Medieval fortress nr. Nohant-Vic, consisting of tall round towers with tiled roofs, was built during the 100-Years' War as a protection against the English, but soon became obsolete due to the introduction of fire-arms. Abandoned and left in ruins, it was bought twenty years ago by a private citizen who has been restoring it ever since in his spare time! During the 100-Years' War the English also passed through Vijon, but then moved away, and the residents of "La Vieille Forge" are among the first English people to set foot there in 500 years.