Coordinates: 46°48′37″N 1°41′28″E / 46.8102777778°N 1.69111111111°E / 46.8102777778; 1.69111111111
Châteauroux is the capital of the Indre department in central France and the second-largest town in Berry, after Bourges. Its residents are called Castelroussines or Castelroussins.
Châteauroux is one of the communes awarded the grand prize by the Concours National des Villes et Villages Fleuris, a beautification initiative begun in 1959.
[edit] Geography and climate
Châteauroux lies on the Indre River 250 km (155 miles) south of Paris and 142 km (88 miles) south of Orléans. It is situated on the edge of the government-owned Châteauroux forest and the Brenne national park. The city boasts 450 hectares (1112 acres) of parks, amounting to 52 m² (560 ft²) for each resident. Châteauroux's average elevation is 154 m (505 ft) above sea level.
Châteauroux enjoys a mild climate. Temperature extremes range from an average January low of 0.8°C (33°F) to an average August high of 25.1°C (77°F).
[edit] History
The old town, close to the river, forms a nucleus around which a newer and more extensive quarter, bordered by boulevards, has grown up; the suburbs of St. Christophe and Déols lie on the right bank of the Indre. The castle from which the city takes its name was built in the latter part of the 10th century by Raoul, prince of Déols. During the Middle Ages it was the seat of a seigniory, which was raised to the rank of countship in 1497. In 1616, when it was held by Henry II, prince of Condé, it was raised to the rank of duchy. In 1736 it returned to the crown, and was given to Marie Anne de Mailly-Nesle, duchess of Châteauroux, by Louis XV in 1744. The present Château Raoul housing the préfecture offices dates from the fifteenth century.
[edit] Landmarks
- Château Raoul
- Musée Bertrand
- Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires
- Public Garden and the Jardins des Cordeliers
- Le Parc de loisirs de Belle-Isle
- Chateau de Bouges
- Convent of the Cordeliers
- Church of St. Martial
- Church of St. André
- Church of Notre Dame
- Musée du Compagnonnage
- Quartier St. Christophe
- La Prairie St. Gildas
- Equinoxe
- Le Tarmac
[edit] Festivals
- Bals'arts
- Vendredi...Musique
- Festival Multirythmes
- Festival Populaire du Folklore
- Festival de théâtre "les Nocthalies"
- Rock à Belle-Isle
- Stage festival de danse de Châteauroux (DARC)
- La Châteauroux Classic d'Indre Trophée Fenioux
- La Biennale de Céramique contemporaine
- Les Litztomanias
- Salon du livre de Châteauroux
- Forum des associations
[edit] Personalities born in Châteauroux
- Henri Gratien, Comte Bertrand (1773-1844), general of Napoleon's army
- Albert Aurier (1865-1892), symbolist poet, writer and art critic
- Marcel Boussac (1889-1980), entrepreneur and horse breeder
- Jack Claude Nezat (born 1943), author, City Councilor of Lésigny (France), initiator of Lésigny-Leingarten twinning, founder and first President of Rencontres Franco Allemandes, Annecy (Annecy-Bayreuth twinning)
- Gérard Depardieu (born 1948), actor and businessman
- Mardi Jacquet (born 1960), playmate
[edit] Other personalities
- Jean Lauron (1560-1620)
- Jean-Claude Guymon de la Touche (1723-1760)
- Pierre Leroux (1797-1871)
- Napoléon Chaix (1807-1865)
- Adolphe Combanaire (1859-1939)
- George-Albert Aurier (1865-1892)
- Fernand Maillaud (1862-1948)
- Bernard Naudin (1876-1946)
- Ernest Nivet (1871-1948)
- Émile Goué (1904-1946)
- Abbé Paviot
- Édouard Ramonet (1909-1980)
- Louis Suard
[edit] International relations
[edit] Twin towns — Sister cities
Châteauroux is twinned with:
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
