Culture of Nevers. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

The main historical symbol of Nevers is the wonderful Cathédrale Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte, a striking architectural monument in the Gothic style. The very first cathedral was built in this place in the 10th century. For the following six centuries, it was continuously expanded and rebuilt. Not so long ago, researchers established that the cathedral was built on the site of the ancient Gallo-Roman sanctuary. It is located in a very interesting archaeological area.

During the Second World War, the cathedral was almost completely destroyed. The British military believed that there was an underground railway under it, so they made every effort to destroy this area. The cathedral building was hit by three bombs. In the postwar years, its reconstruction took almost 30 years. The ancient cathedral was restored in full accordance with the historical original, and now its main value is 130 elaborate stained glass windows. More than seven million euros were spent on the restoration of the windows alone.

It would be nice to walk numerous historic streets near the promenade. Magnificent buildings of the 14th-17th centuries have been preserved here, and some architectural monuments deserve special attention. Not far from the waterfront is Eglise Sainte-Bernadette du Banlay, a chapel featuring a graceful and harmonious architecture. It is one of the most beautiful Baroque monuments in town. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

You will also find the ancient Église Saint - Etienne, one of the city's oldest religious monuments. Built in the 11th century, it has miraculously avoided major damage over the centuries. The picturesque shrine is now considered the most beautiful in Burgundy. Unique decoration elements, works of art, and invaluable relics have been preserved inside. The church is located in a picturesque square surrounded by numerous restaurants and cafes.

Another interesting site to explore is the ancient Ducal Palace built in the 15th century for Count of Nevers. It is an amazing architectural monument combining elements of the Gothic and Romanesque styles. This palace has undergone many reconstructions. In the course of one of them, spectacular renaissance windows appeared on its facade and the interior was decorated with huge fireplaces.

Over its long history, the palace has repeatedly changed its status. After the end of the French Revolution, a city court was located here for some time. At the beginning of the 20th century, the palace served as a City Hall, after which it was converted into a cultural center. The magnificent castle currently houses a historical museum, as well as the largest tourist office in the city. Part of its premises is reserved for temporary exhibitions and art events.

One of the most visited museums in Nevers is the Musee de la Faience. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to the history of faience production, which has remained relevant for the city for hundreds of years. It has gathered the best faience works made by local craftsmen hundreds of years ago. A significant part of the exhibition is dedicated to modern production. Over the past years, the museum’s collection has expanded significantly. Now, among other things, it stores collections of paintings and other works of art. The museum has a popular souvenir shop where visitors can find some exclusive souvenirs.

Fans of unusual tours would be happy to discover the old Colombage mansion on one of the historic streets of Nevers. It is one of the few half-timbered houses preserved in the city. The mansion is of great value from an architectural point of view. The fact that almost its entire facade is now covered with ivy makes the building even more spectacular. Therefore, summer is the best time to admire it.

A part of ancient fortifications mostly erected in the 12th-13th has been preserved in the city, which would be of interest to all fans of walks in historical places. Today, the gates Porte du Croux are considered the most interesting defensive element. The fortifications remained relevant until the 16th century. In the following years, locals began to dismantle them gradually. The townspeople used the obtained materials to build their houses. Fortress walls in the western part of Nevers have survived best. Now the historic structures are under the jurisdiction of the city authorities. The fortress gates and walls are surrounded by beautiful parks and footpaths.