Tourist guide

• CHOLET
  The textile museum lets you take a journey through the town’s history, which was marked by the development of this industry.
• MAULEVRIER (km 7,5)
  It is definitely worth stopping for a stroll in the biggest Japanese garden in Europe.
• THOUARS (km 52,5)
  The 17^Th century castle, with its 110m-long façade, was one of the most imposing buildings in France at that time. Today it houses a school.
• RICHELIEU (km 97)
  The town, which was custom-built for the Cardinal of the same name in the 17^th century, offers a fi ne architectural grouping. It represents a perfectly maintained example of urbanism.
• CHÂTEAUROUX
  Raoul Castle, a medieval building which gave its name to the town is still a symbol of authority. Today the prefectorial services have their offi ces there.

Download the tourist guide of the stage(6 pages, .pdf)

Download the complete tourist guide(113 pages, .pdf, 55 Mo)

Vincent Fernandez, a goalkeeper, spent the majority of his career playing for Paris and Châteauroux. After an initial period spent at the “Berrichonne de Châteauroux” Football Club between 1994 and 1996, he returned to the club and has played in the Second Division since 2004.

“As a father, I appreciate the calm of the region. I live in Poinçonnet, a small peaceful village which has an attractive Romanesque church. The children really feel at home there. And I am right next to a wonderful national forest, with ponds where I go fishing from time to time. It is possible to go for long bicycle rides in such a setting. I am not keen on walking around the town centre, but in Chateauroux’s pedestrianized street I find everything that I need and in particular good florists. It is rather quiet in the streets and when supporters recognize me, we have a very friendly rapport.

The restaurant which I prefer is called the “Sommelier”, in the “Place Gambetta” in Châteauroux, which serves hearty meals without any fuss. I take an interest in the regions’ wines and sometimes I go to the wine fairs. With regard to the local gastronomy, my children particularly like the renowned Berry pâté made with potatoes, served warm with some salad.

I would like to visit Gargilesse, which everyone is very enthusiastic about. It is a small artists’ village, which is not very far from Aigurande. When I go out, I always pay attention to old farms. Moreover, I wanted to buy a pillared barn next to Bouesse, to restore it. It has typical Berry architecture and it looks like an oblong farmhouse but it has an avant-corps in the middle. It has a wooden structure and the walls are made from stone. In the past it was used to house cows. I think I will study this project again in the very near future.”