Châteauroux is the capital of the Indredepartment in central France and the second-largest town in the province of Berry, after Bourges. Its residents are called Castelroussins.

History

The old town, close to the river, forms a nucleus around which a newer and more extensive quarter, bordered by boulevards, has grown up; the suburbs of St. Christophe and Déols lie on the right bank of the Indre. The castle from which the city takes its name was built in the latter part of the 10th century by Raoul, prince of Déols. During the Middle Ages it was the seat of a seigniory, which passed to the Chauvigny from 1207 to 1473 and was raised to the rank of countship in 1497 for Jean V d’Aumont. The present Château Raoul housing the préfecture offices dates from the 15th century.

Transport

There are direct services from Châteauroux railway station to Paris, Orléans, Limoges, Toulouse, and several other regional destinations. The A20 motorway connects Châteauroux with Vierzon, Brive-la-Gaillarde, and Toulouse.

The city offers free public transportation since 2001.

The city is served by Châteauroux-Centre “Marcel Dassault” Airport which is in the commune of Déols to the North. The airport is used mainly for cargo, maintenance, training and light aviation but also is served by seasonal charter services.

Parks and gardens

Discover a green city, in the heart of Boischaut and Berry Champagne. Parks, gardens and forests are part of the urban space.

Daniel-Bernardet Park, Belle-Isle site

In the heart of the city, the Daniel-Bernardet park, site of Belle-Isle, offers an exceptional green setting of 12 hectares and an 8 hectare lake. An ideal place for outdoor activities. You can swim there (supervised lake in summer) and practice water sports (canoeing, windsurfing, optimist, 2 and 4-seater pedal boats, stand-up paddle, etc.). A fitness trail is even offered to jogging enthusiasts. There are also games for children and an orientation course. A restaurant “La Guinguette” welcomes walkers, fishermen or bathers. Each summer, the Agglomeration offers a multitude of activities with ” Bougez à Belle-Isle “.

Other:

• The public Garden
• The Chénevières ecopark
• The Saint-Gildas meadow
• Balsan park
• The Capuchin garden
• The Solange-Brisset square, site of the Saint-Germain fountain
• Lac des Chevaliers
• The national forest of Châteauroux
• The Indre valley in Saint-Maur

The monuments

Castles, mansions, washhouses, churches, abbey, contemporary curiosities, discover the rich heritage of Châteauroux and its surroundings.

The old town hall

The old town hall was built in 1828 by the architect Pierre Murison. Its neoclassical facade is characteristic of the time with its colonnades and its triangular pediment. Its main facade (honor facade) is located on Place Monestier, opposite the covered market, and its service entrance facade, on Place de la République. In addition to the offices, the library and the museum were located there at the time. The museum is transferred, to free up premises, in the Bertrand hotel. Only a few departments are then left in the town hall, mainly the mayor’s office linked to the general secretariat, the civil registry, the marriage hall which serves as the municipal council chamber, and the financial services. Such a situation has serious repercussions in the management of municipal services: distance from services, necessary travel, dispersion of assistants.

Other:

• Raoul castle
• The Saint-Martin gate
• The Cordeliers convent
• Jean-Giraudoux high school, former imperial high school
• The washhouses
• The Tour and River castles of Balsan park
• Saint-André church
• Notre-Dame church
• Saint-Martial church
• Equinox, national stage and media library
• The Chapel of the Redemptorists
• The Abbey of Déols
• Balsan factories

Festivals

• Bals’arts
• Festival Country Good Old Days Châteauroux
• Festival de théâtre “les Nocthalies”
• Festival Multirythmes
• Festival Populaire du Folklore
• Forum des associations
• La Biennale de Céramique contemporaine
• La Châteauroux Classic d’Indre Trophée Fenioux
• Les Litztomanias
• Rock à Belle-Isle
• Salon du livre de Châteauroux
• Stage festival de danse de Châteauroux (DARC)
• Vendredi…Musique

Sports

La Berrichonne de Châteauroux is the town’s football club based in Châteauroux, founded in 1883. The team currently plays in Ligue 2, the second division of French football. The team play their home fixtures at the 17,173-capacity Stade Gaston Petit.