Paris1972-Versailles2003

I am coming back with a new city due to a new finding from my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, This is one of my road warrior trails in my belle France. The city of Nevers is located in the dept no 58 of the Niévre in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of my belle France. It is 68 km from Bourges , 108 from Vierzon, 165 km from Orléans, 246 km from Versailles, and 564 km from my current home, We came here on the A6 then A77 on our way south, The city borders the road N7 as well, The was the capital of the province of Nivernais under the old regime (monarchy), it is designated as the prefecture of the Nièvre department during the territorial reorganization of the French revolution in 1790. Therefore, let me tell you a bit on this is Nevers !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Palais Ducal or Ducal Palace, place of residence of the Dukes of Nevers is considered to be one of the first castles of the Loire, with its large Renaissance facade framed with polygonal turrets and false drapery. The facade is designed to assert the prestige of the city of the Dukes for whom it discovered it from the Loire. The southern facade, the most prestigious, offers a remarkable illustration of the architecture of the French Renaissance, both in its organization and in its ornamentation. The style of the building indeed associates with the traditional architecture of urban hotels at the end of the Middle Ages new trends inspired by Italian art. Its symmetrical composition is organized by three polygonal turrets each housing a spiral staircase. It opens on the Place de la République, summit of the Butte de Nevers (hill) and which conceals Gallo-Roman ruins. For a long time, it welcomed the courthouse, renovated in the early 1990s, it was partly assigned to municipal services and represents an annex to the city hall ; mainly the Pierre-Bérégovoy municipal council room. It also welcomes visitors , and numerous aquariums from the Loire, exhibitions. In addition to the municipal council and offices room, the Ducal Palace hosts 200 meetings and seminars, and as many receptions as well as fifteen exhibitions per year. Sadly I must have been taken by time as not more pictures !

Endowed with a remarkable historical heritage, with an important medieval heritage set, Renaissance or Contemporary, the City is affiliated with the national network of art and history cities. Things to see here me think are : The Pont de Loire ,a bridge was mentioned in 1227 the large bridge crossed the navigable arm, on the city side, to the île-aux-bœufs. It was built in stone in 1535. The Notre-Dame bridge, in stone in 1550, joined a second island where the Notre-Dame du Bout-Pont Chapel was located. Finally, the small bridge of the official joined the land ,established in 1763, The Espace Bernadette-Soubirous-Nevers: Since 1925, the body of Bernadette de Lourdes rests inside a glass and bronze shrine, in the chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Also a statue representing Saint Bernadette is erected in the heart of the Bernadette space, in the center of the museum, the cave and the Chapel of the Saint-Gildard convent.The Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte Cathedral, (see post) this cathedral, in Gothic style, has the particularity of having two bedside chevets. Church Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes , Church Saint-Étienne, masterpiece of the Romanesque era, built from 1066 to 1097. City was then fortified, an important part of the ramparts still remains of which the Porte du Croux and later Porte de Paris 18C Arc de Triomphe raised to celebrate the victory of Fontenoy in 1745, it bears an epitaph of Voltaire. Unfortunately, the French revolution deprived it of all its sculpted decoration Museum of Faience and Fine Arts: the museum has a large collection of earthenware, enameled glasses called “spun” and fine arts from the 16c to 20C.

A bit of history tell us that it was the capital of the hereditary county of Nevers in 992, the city is fortified under the influence of Pierre II of Courtenay in 1194. The city belongs successively to the families of Courtenay, Bourbon, houses of Flanders, Burgundy, Cleves and Gonzague , The county is raised in duchy in 1538 , Nevers owes to Louis IV its famous activity of earthenware. The specificity of the earthenware of Nevers is the famous “blue of Nevers”, a color obtained by an enamel bath in the blue of cobalt. Many Faïenciers also signed their creations by drawing a small “green knot” , During WWII in July 1940 Nevers passed in the occupied zone, The nazis finally left the city on September 7, 1944.

The City of Nevers on the palais ducal : https://www.nevers.fr/decouvrir-nevers/patrimoine/edifices-publics/le-palais-ducal

The Nevers tourist office on the palais ducal : https://www.nevers-tourisme.com/explorer/visiter-nevers/notre-riche-heritage/le-palais-ducal/

There you go folks, a dandy area to explore and enjoy with the family, Memorable moments in passing by Nevers, even if on my road warrior trails was quick, Always remember and looking forward to be back, eventually. Again hope you enjoy the post on this is Nevers !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!