Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
became fabulously wealthy through the spice trade, and used his wealth to bankroll Joan
of Arc's call to save France from the English. He also helped establish Bourges as a cap-
ital of luxury goods and arms manufacturing, which funded construction of many of the
fine mansions you see. His extravagant home is one of the most impressive examples of
a Gothic civil palace, combining all the best elements of a château in an urban mansion.
Though its furnishings are long gone, the stone and marble work is darned impressive.
Sadly for Jacques, he didn't get to live in this glorious palace very long—shortly after
moving in, he was arrested on a series of trumped-up charges (including “sorcery” and the
poisoningoftheking'smistress).Tovisitthepalace,joinaFrench-onlytourorpickupthe
English handout and visit the palace on your own.
Cost and Hours:
€7.50, daily 9:45-12:00 & 14:00-17:15, until 18:15 May-June,
until 18:30 July-Aug, 10 bis Rue Jacques-Cœur, tel. 02 48 24 79 42,
http://palais-jacques-
(€1 = about $1.30, country code: 33)
Hotels and restaurants are a good value here.
$$$ Best Western Hôtel d'Angleterre Bourges***,
a stone's toss from the Palais
Jacques Cœur, is a fine place and as central as it gets (standard Db-€105, bigger Db-
€160, rates include buffet breakfast, air-con, Wi-Fi, 1 Place des Quatre-Piliers, tel. 02
bourges.com
).
$$ Hôtel le Christina**
is a good hotel with most of the comforts about 10 blocks
from the cathedral (Db-€60-80, air-con, Wi-Fi, breakfast-€9, 5 Rue de la Halle, tel. 02 48
70 56 50,
www.le-christina.com
,
info@le-christina.com
)
.
Ground zero for dining in Bourges is
Place Gordaine,
where you'll find easygoing cafés
and
bistrot
s. Consider these places as well:
La Crêperie des Remparts
offers a great range of inexpensive crêpes and salads
(closed Sun-Mon, 59 Rue Bourbonnoux, tel. 02 48 24 55 44).
Au Sénat
is a top choice and a local favorite for good-value traditional cuisine. Say
bonjour
toeager-to-helpMonsieurRossalini (
menus
from€16,closedWedinsummerand
Wed-Thu in winter, on Place Gordaine at 8 Rue de la Poissonnerie, tel. 02 48 24 02 56).
