Situated on the banks of the Indre river in central France, Châteauroux is a magnificently pretty medieval town. And thanks to a new route from Southend Airport you could be walking around the town’s cobbled streets in next to no time...

WITH its thousand-year-old history, Châteauroux is the perfect weekend break destination for people who love sampling great wines and exploring historic chateaux. 

Situated just two hours from Paris in the Berry region of the scenic Loire Valley, Châteauroux is the ideal base for discovering the world-renowned vineyards which produce some of France’s finest wines, including Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.

Despite its proximity to the capital, the pretty floral town of Châteauroux enjoys a tranquil, laid-back way of life. 

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Most visits will concentrate in the older part of the town, where many houses can be seen that originate from the sixteenth century when Chateauroux became an important local centre for textile production.

Not to be missed is the Musée-Hôtel Bertrand (pictured inset) an 18th-century mansion that once belonged to General Bertrand, Napoleon’s comrade-in-arms.

Today it is home to a collection of Napoleonic souvenirs and fine art. 
Paintings and sculptures date from the sixteenth to nineteenth century with works by Hieronymus Bosch and Joseph Vernet. There is also local archaeology and a curious Egyptology cabinet with a fifth century Copt mummy.

For lunch visit Le Bistrot Gourmand - this neighbourhood bistro is in the heart of the old town. 

Diners pop in to enjoy Limousin beef and chocolate profiteroles, and in fine weather, you can sit out in the sunshine on the flower-filled patio to the rear and enjoy a glass of wine. 

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A good place to stay is the Elysée Hotel, which is in a charming building right in the city centre of Châteauroux, located just 10 minutes from the train station and the bus station. 

You will also find many shops and restaurants on your doorstep – quite literally. 

Chateauroux is a great base for exploring the local area - a short drive takes you to historic locations such as Château de Valençay (formerly owned by Napoleon and praised as the ‘one of the most beautiful on earth’ by novelist George Sand), Castle Bouges (a replica of the Petit Trianon at Versailles) and the hilltop medieval village of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault (voted ‘Most Beautiful Village in France’).

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Leisure activities near Chateauroux are based in the Chateauroux forest, which has lots of trails, cycle routes and opportunities to enjoy the countryside. 

Within the forest you can visit the popular animal park of Haute Touche, which has a very wide range of animals and is set in a very extensive region of forest.

Every August, the town of Châteauroux hosts the Darc festival, a multicultural event featuring music shows and dance courses – so now is the perfect time to book!

Flights to Châteauroux now operate twice weekly (Thursday & Sunday)from Southend Airport with tickets starting from €49 per person one way (including taxes and 12kg checked luggage). 
Tickets can be booked at www.igavion.fr