Bourges

Bourges
Kathedrale Bourges v2.jpg
Saint-Étienne de Bourges
Bourges is located in France
Bourges
Administration
Country France
Region Centre
Department Cher
Arrondissement Bourges
Intercommunality Bourges
Mayor Serge Lepeltier
(2001–2008)
Statistics
Elevation 120–169 m (390–554 ft)
(avg. 153 m/502 ft)
Land area1 68.74 km2 (26.54 sq mi)
Population2 72,480  (1999)
 - Density 1,054 /km2 (2,730 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 18033/ 18000
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

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.

Contents

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 and its Latin name was Avaricum. In the Gallic Wars, the Gauls practiced a scorched-earth policy, but the inhabitants of Avaricum 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 CÅ“ur and a sixty-five-hectare district of timber houses and grande homes.

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

Main sights

Floorplan of the cathedral of Bourges

Colleges and universities

Personalities

International relations

Twin towns — sister cities

Bourges is twinned with:

Half-timbered houses in Place Gordaine

Events

Flag of Bourges

The Printemps de Bourges music festival takes place in Bourges every year.

See also

References

External links