Overseas Property Gazette: A slice of French life

A recent headline in the daily French regional newspaper Le Berry républicain read something along the lines of "Bumper harvest, happy farming" ("Moisson copieuse, agriculture heureuse". Somehow it sounds better in French doesn't it?) A recent headline in the daily French regional newspaper Le Berry Republican read something along the lines of "Bumper Harvest, happy farming" ( "Harvest hearty, happy farming." Somehow it sounds better in French does not it?)

Not surprising really perhaps that agriculture should feature so strongly as the paper serves a region that in all senses of the word is very much at the heart of the country - both in where it lies and what happens there. Not really surprising perhaps that agriculture should feature so strongly as the paper serves a region that in all senses of the word is very much at the heart of the country - both in where it lies and what happens there.

Grab a map of France and stick a pin roughly into the centre of what the French affectionately refer to as the "Hexagon" and you'll find the département of Cher. Grab a map of France and stick a pin into roughly the center of what the French affectionately refer to as the "Hexagon" and you'll find the department of Cher.

It's one of six départments (along withl'Eure-et-Loir, l'Indre, l'Indre-et-Loire, le Loir-et-Cher and le Loiret) that make up the region known as Centre. It's one of six department (along withl'Eure-et-Loir, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher and Loiret) that make up the region known as the Center.

Although Cher is far from being the tourist magnet of much better known potential holiday destinations in France it has its distinct charm and is nowhere the backwater that it perhaps at first appears. Although Cher is far from being the tourist magnet of much better known potential holiday destinations in France it has its distinct charm and nowhere is the backwater that it perhaps at first appears.

The largest town with a population of just 72,000 is Bourges, the "capital" of the département, complete of course with its 12th-13th century Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World heritage centre described as "one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art" and"admired for its proportions and the unity of its design". The largest town with a population of just 72.000 Bourges is, the "capital" of the department, complete of course with its 12th-13th century Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Center described as "one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art" and "Admired for its proportions and the unity of its design.

The town is also home to the annual spring music festival "Les printemps de Bourges" and of course it's just a 45 minute drive to the medieval hilltop town of Sancerre famous worldwide for its...well there's probably no need to go any further. The town is also home to the annual spring music festival "The Spring of Bourges" and of course it's just a 45 minute drive to the medieval hilltop town of Sancerre famous worldwide for its ... well there's probably no need to go any further.

Travel 32 kilometres northwest of Bourges and you'll hit the département's second largest town, Vierzon, population 28,000 and with its share of chateaux (this is France after all) and a 12th century church. Travel 32 kilometers northwest of Bourges and you'll hit the department's second largest town, Vierzon, 28.000 people and with its share of castles (this is France after all) and a 12th century church.

Apremont-sur-Allier, Cher Apremont-sur-Allier, Cher

But drive towards the south of the département, and not forgetting on the way to stop by the charming Apremont-sur-Allier, one of the "most beautiful villages in France" (if you need proof of that epithet, these photos should help allay any doubts) and you'll come across a smaller and possibly less well-frequented town, Saint Amand-Montrond. But the drive towards south of the department, and not forgetting on the way to stop by the charming Apremont-sur-Allier, one of the "most beautiful villages in France" (if you need proof of that epithet, these pictures should help Allay any doubts) and you'll come across a smaller and possibly less well-frequented town, Saint Amand-Montrond.

There you'll find a town packed with centuries of history, and one that while certainly not ostentatiously oozing wealth and prosperity, perhaps reflects a more authentic side of French life. There you'll find a town packed with centuries of history, and certainly one that while not ostentatiously oozing wealth and prosperity, perhaps Reflects a more authentic side of French life.

With a population of just 11,600, it's far from being a bustling metropolis, but that doesn't mean it has nothing to offer the curious visitor. With a population of just 11.600, it's far from being a bustling metropolis, but that does not mean it has nothing to offer the curious visitor.

It's packed with history, and once you've left the main shopping thoroughfare and found your way to the streets of the old town, you're in for a real treat. It's packed with history, and once you've left the main shopping thoroughfare and found your way to The Streets of the old town, you're in for a real treat.

You can take in the Saint Vic museum or admire the sculpture of the 12 century Gothic church. You can take in the museum or St. Vic admires the sculpture of the 12 century Gothic church.

Maison d'Angle, Saint Amand-Montrond Angle House, Saint Amand-Montrond

Wandering through the streets, you can follow an itinerary provided by the local tourist office, with a route offering explanations that'll help the development and history of the town come alive as you dwell in front of the Maison d'Angle or make your way to the Cours Manuel. Wandering Through The Streets, you can follow an itinerary provided by the local tourist office, with a road offering explanations that'll help the development and history of the town come alive as you dwell in front of the house or angle make your way to the Course Manual.

All in all it's the kind of town where even the most hapless of photographers would be hard pushed not to take at least some snaps worth sharing. All in all it's the kind of town where even the most hapless of photographers would be hard pushed not to take at least some snaps worth sharing.

History apart, there's also the proximity of Saint Amand-Montrond to the huge and immensely beautiful Forêt de Tronçais, which is actually in the neighbouring départment of Allier and, for nature lovers, definitely worth a trip in its own right. History apart, there's also the proximity of Saint Amand-Montrond to the huge and immensely beautiful Forest Tronçais Which is actually in the neighboring department of Allier and, for nature lovers, definitely worth a trip in its own right.

The forest has over 10,000 hectares of trees, a majority of them oak with just under a dozen classified as being at the ripe old age of 350 years plus. The forest has over 10,000 hectares of trees, a Majority of them oak with just under a dozen classified as being at the ripe old age of 350 years plus. There are 40-odd natural springs, four lakes and fauna and flora galore. There are 40-odd natural springs, four lakes and flora and fauna galore.

Indeed the official site promoting the forest and surrounding villages probably quite rightly heralds it as "the most beautiful oak forest in Europe". Indeed the official site Promoting the forest and surrounding villages probably quite Rightly heralds it as "the most beautiful oak forest in Europe.

And a great place to begin your discovery of the forest is the étang domanial de Tronçais (click here for a couple of photos) And a great place to begin your discovery of the forest is the pond manorial Tronçais (click here for a couple of photos)

As well as its history, Cher is renowned for its unspoilt natural surroundings and numerous waterways and Saint Amand-Montrond certainly fits the bill as being a gem for both lovers of history and nature. As well as its history, Cher is renowned for its unspoilt natural surroundings and numerous waterways and Saint Amand-Montrond certainly fits the bill as being a gem for both lovers of history and nature.

And if you fancy discovering a part of France that is undeniably French, then it might well be a town worth considering. And if you fancy discovering a part of France that is undeniably French, then it might well be a town worth considering.

Just don't tell too many people about it. Just do not tell too many people about it.

Original Article