Charenton-Du-Cher: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Charenton-du-Cher combines impressive traces of architectural and industrial history with paths through the Marmande plains and along the Canal de Berry. Churches, historic buildings, an animal park and several circular trails give the town a wide variety of facets.

Culture and History

The Church of Saint Martin preserves a nave and choir dating from the late 11th century; its bell tower and chapels date from the 12th to the 15th century. The church has also been listed as a Monument historique by decree of 26 January 1927.

Another historic house also features remarkable details: original façade openings with mullioned windows, a small statue and a round corner tower. Its façade and roof have been listed as a Monument historique by decree of 22 March 1930.

The industrial history includes La Grosse Forge, one of five facilities belonging to the Meillant-Charenton metallurgical operation, which was probably founded around 1590 to 1600. Two partly vaulted, masonry watercourses from the hydraulic system of the Fenderie have been preserved there. Industrial heritage remains visible along the Canal de Berry.

The Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Chapel is located in the narthex of the former Romanesque abbey church dating from the 12th century. Some remains of its apse have been preserved in a garden.

Nature and Trails

The 12-Boucle de la Marmande starts at the car park of the Salle des Fêtes in Charenton-du-Cher and is marked in yellow. It passes through the Marmande plains as well as fields and stony paths before returning to the banks of the Canal de Berry.

The Charenton Vernais Circuit passes through idyllic landscapes to the village of Vernais and returns via the Canal de Berry. The circular trail is easy and 19.2 kilometres long.

The Parc du Château de la Grave is a tree-filled park laid out in the 1840s between the château and the newly built Canal de Berry.

The Way of St James between Charenton-du-Cher and La Châtre passes through the landscapes, forests and villages of southern Berry.

Domaine de Revert

The Domaine de Revert animal park in Charenton-du-Cher covers 20 hectares. More than 200 animals live in the park, which showcases a wide variety of domesticated animal breeds from different continents. At the edge of the forest, the Domaine de Revert has landscaped paths and footpaths.

Other destinations: Vereaux, Thauvenay, Châteaumeillant, Brécy, Ardenais, Farges-En-Septaine, Montigny, Neuvy-Le-Barrois.

For the broader travel overview: Cher.