Châteauroux: All Attractions in One Day

Begin your morning at the neo-Gothic Church of Saint-André, whose twin 68-metre spires dominate the skyline of Châteauroux and whose nave shelters stained glass from the renowned Lobin workshop in Tours. From there, walk to Château Raoul, the medieval fortress perched above the Indre river that literally gave the city its name — admire the Gothic facades and the panoramic views over the valley from the surrounding esplanade. Continue to the leafy paths of Parc Balsan, an English-style garden set among the former grounds of the Balsan textile dynasty, flanked by two Renaissance châteaux. After a short trip north to Déols, explore the atmospheric ruins of the Abbey of Notre-Dame, a Benedictine monastery founded in 917 whose surviving bell tower and lapidary museum tell the story of one of medieval France's largest churches. Back in the centre, spend the afternoon at Musée-Hôtel Bertrand, where Napoleonic memorabilia, Flemish paintings, and an original Camille Claudel plaster fill 26 rooms of an elegant 18th-century mansion. End the day at the Convent of the Cordeliers, a rare 13th-century Franciscan monastery now hosting contemporary art beneath its chestnut barrel vault. The museum and convent are closed on Mondays and throughout January; the abbey is also closed on Sundays.