A Day Out in Beaugency

Explore the medieval town just 10 minutes from Les Bordes, an UNESCO World Heritage site home to impressive architecture, restaurants and a popular Saturday market.

The Loire is home to many medieval towns steeped in history and with lively weekend markets. Beaugency is a small town just 10 minutes from Les Bordes and perfect for a day out. It’s classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can explore cobbled streets, historical architecture, and a popular Saturday morning market.

Beaugency possesses a rich architectural heritage, including the Château de Dunois dating from the 15th century, the town hall with a Renaissance facade, the former Notre-Dame abbey with its Romanesque abbey church, an 11th-century keep, a clock tower, an old bridge over the Loire River and beautiful old houses. Start your visit with a stroll along the river front near the bridge (it has 26 stone arches). Although it’s in the same position as the original 14th century bridge, it’s has been rebuilt various times over the course of history. The town originally charged a toll to those who crossed the river here, and that meant that originally the wealth of the town developed here.

The Caesar Tower is a large square tower dating from the 11th century, and considered one of the most representative large main towers of the French Romanesque (an architectural style that dominated France from the 10th century all the way up until the appearance of French Gothic architecture around 1140-1150). It’s also one of the oldest examples of roman style military defences in existence, and eventually became part of a castle built in the 16th century (the rest of which was destroyed at the time of the Wars of Religion). Near the castle tower you will also see a statue of Joan of Arc, commemorating the role she played in the historical battles.

The 16th century town hall is a renaissance building which sits on a peaceful little square, with an ornately decorated façade and impressive collection of eight wall hangings inside.

The Abbey of Notre-Dame is more than 800 years old: it was here that the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Louis VII was annulled, enabling her to marry the English King Henry Plantagenet. Although a substantial amount of the building was altered in the 17th century, parts of the original remain, such as the round chevet and chapels and the carved capital stones. Inside, take a look at the altarpiece beneath the organ, an ornate woodcarving by Goyers of Brussels showing the birth and baptism of Christ.

After a day of exploring, you can dine at Le P’tit Bateau, featured in the Michelin Guide. They say: “In the heart of the medieval city, Le P'tit Bateau sets out to tantalise our taste buds with fresh produce, including fish sourced directly from Brittany's fish markets, as well as game from Sologne in season. The dishes are generous, precise, carefully presented and tasty. It is worth noting there is a pleasant patio for a meal al fresco. An eatery committed to doing a good job.”