Beaugency

Visit Beaugency, Loire Valley

Beaugency is a quiet agricultural town located in the 'Valley of the Kings' - on the Loire River between Blois and Orleans in the Loiret department.

The most important event in the turbulent history of the town was the Battle of Beaugency, a series of battles led by Joan of Arc in 1429 in which the region was recaptured from the English. The tower in the town - Tour Cesar - dates from the 11th century and played an important role in the battle. This was an important victory because at that time Beaugency controlled the only river crossing in the region.

A second Battle of Beaugency took place during the Prussian invasion of France in 1870, when much of the French army was defeated near the town.

Exploring Beaugency

The colourful history of Beaugency means there are several interesting historical monuments to be seen and various other places of interest

Start your visit with a stroll along the river front near the long bridge (it has 26 stone arches) to the east of the town centre. Although it is in the same position as the original 14th century bridge, it has been rebuilt and modified several times over the course of the centuries.

Originally the wealth of Beaugency developed around the bridge, because the town charged a toll to those who crossed the river here, overseen by the Caesar Tower. This tower and the Place saint-Firmin represents the historic centre of Beaugency, and includes other monuments built on the site of the medieval castle.

The Caesar Tower is a large square tower dating from the 12th century. It became part of a castle built in the 16th century, but the rest of the castle was destroyed at the time of the Wars of Religion. Near the castle tower you will also see a statue of Joan of Arc, commemorating the role she played in the historical battles.

On the site of the medieval castle you can now see the Dunois Castle, a grand townhouse subsequently converted to the renaissance style. Another impressive renaissance building in Beaugency is the the 16th century town hall, with its ornately decorated facade. Inside the town hall there is an impressive collection of eight wall hangings.

Other early medieval houses in Beaugency include the Maison des Templiers, a very ancient house dating from the 12th century and also with an unusual facade incorporating several blind arches and a 15th century half-timbered house.

The other medieval sights in Beaugency include two churches. The Church of Saint-Etienne is a very good example of 12th century roman style church architecture. The Abbey of Notre-Dame is also more than 800 years old - although a substantial amount of the building was altered in the 17th century parts of the original remain, such as the round chevet and chapels.

There was a third church here in the 12th century, the Church of Saint-Firmin. You will see the belltower, although the rest of the church is no longer standing. A market hall was built on the site of the original church in the 19th century. Two other medieval towers still exist in Beaugency that were originally part of the town defences - these are the square clocktower and the round 'Tour du Diable'.

To complete your visit take a stroll around the streets in the historical port area of the town to see the small traditional houses in the region that was once the thriving centre of Beaugency.

See Centre and Loiret (the region and department for Beaugency) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Beaugency: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Beaugency, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Chateau de Cheverny 34km; Chateaudun 39km; Vendome 42km;

Beaugency tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Les prés-Culand - remarkable garden (7km) : Jardin du château de Talcy - remarkable garden (14km) : Talcy Chateau - national monument (14km) : Olivet - ville fleurie 4* (22km) : Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle - ville fleurie 4* (23km) : Parc Floral de la Source - remarkable garden (24km) : Saint-Cyr-en-Val - ville fleurie 4* (26km) : Fleury-les-Aubrais - ville fleurie 4* (27km) :

See more places and a map at places near Beaugency