The town of Issoudun is about 30 kilometres north-east of Chateauroux, in the Indre department (Centre region) of central France.
Exploring Issoudun
France This Way review: the town is quite typical of those in the region and although lacking major monuments Issoudun is pleasant to explore and there are several sights of interest, so a detour to visit is suggested when you are exploring nearby.
Start your visit perhaps with the White Tower (La Tour Blanche) which dominates the town centre and is also the oldest building in the town - it is all that remains of a 12th century castle that once stood here, thought to have been built by Richard the Lionheart. It is possible (and recommended) to climb the steps inside the tower to get views across the rooftops of the town. Open April to September only.
For a good view of the Tour Blanche and other sites in the centre of the town, follow the path along the foot of the ramparts and through the Francois-Mitterand Park. This park is always pleasant and a nice place for a picnic and if you can visit the park and ramparts on a summer evening you will also be treated to a spectacle of imaginative lighting.
Almost as ancient, the belfry and the adjacent gateway through the original town fortifications date in part from the 13th century. There were originally seven of these gateways granting access to the castle in Issoudun.
In the heart of the old town there are also some medieval houses to be seen, typically dating from the 15th century, with the Tourist Office of Issoudun in the most impressive of the colombage houses, on Place Saint-Cyr.
The most important church in Issoudun is the Church of Saint-Cyr, dating from the 15th century although built on the site of a much older church, said to have been built by Charlemagne (8th century). Inside the church you can see a 16th century work that relates the life of Saint-Cyr. Also in Issoudun you can see the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur, built in the 19th century.
Among the more recent additions to the town, take a look at the contemporary 'Fountain with Mirrors' at the Town Hall, then the Cité des Metiers d'Art to see works by several modern artists and scupltors.
Finish with a visit to the town museum. The Museum of the Saint-Roch Hospice is based in a medieval hospital and is a good place to learn more about the history of the town (and the hospice building itself). There are also exhibitions of various art works in the museum, and a collection of objects from ancient pharmacies.
Attractions nearby
Our favourite attractions are to the north-east of Issoudun, where you can explore the town of Mehun-sur-Yevre which has a castle and a collegiale church and also visit Bourges, an impressive town with both a cathedral and the Palais Jacques-Coeur to visit.
Although Issoudun is not part of the Loire Valley, if you travel north-west from here you can visit the Chateau de Valencay, a famous castle at the south-west edges of the Loire Valley.
You can find more travel ideas in the Indre guide and the Loire Valley guide.
Photos of Issoudun
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Hotels in Issoudun
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Map of Issoudun and places nearby
Visit near Issoudun with France This Way reviews
Mehun-sur-Yevre
The castle and the 11th century Collegiale Notre-Dame are among several sights of importance in Mehun-sur-Yevre
Mehun-sur-Yevre guide
Chateauroux
A little remote from the main tourist routes, Chateauroux is quite a sprawling town but has some sites of interest in its historic centre
Chateauroux guide
Bourges Palais Jacques-Coeur
The Palais Jacques-Coeur is a charming medieval palace with impressive rooms and fireplaces in the heart of Bourges
Bourges Palais Jacques-Coeur guide
Bourges
Although Bourges is known for its stunning cathedral, it also has a substantial medieval centre and the Palais Jacques-Coeur among its many places of interest
Bourges guide
Bourges Cathedral
The cathedral in Bourges is a 13th century building with remarkable stonework and impressive stained glass windows
Bourges Cathedral guide
Saint-Chartier
Take a stroll through the grounds of the castle here in the quiet town of Saint-Chartier
Saint-Chartier guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Indre
Tourist classifications for Issoudun
Issoudun is classified as a village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*
Address: Issoudun, Loire Valley, 36100, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.960808, longitude 1.994362
Plan your visit to Issoudun, Indre
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Vatan: village d'etape (19 km)
- Jardin du château de Bouges: remarkable garden (26 km)
- Bouges-le-Chateau Castle: national monument (26 km)
- St Aignan de Brinay (Brinay): religious monument (26 km)
- Mehun-sur-Yevre: recommended detour (27 km)
- Chateauroux: ville fleurie 4* (28 km)
- Eglise de Saint Martin (Ineuil): religious monument (30 km)
- Palace Jacques Coeur: national monument (33 km)
- Les Prés Fichaux: remarkable garden (33 km)
- Bourges Cathedral: national monument (33 km)
- Bourges: secteur sauvegarde (34 km)
- Eglise de Saint Martin (Plaimpied-Givaudins): religious monument (35 km)
Market days in Issoudun, France
Regular market(s) are held in Issoudun each Saturday all day. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Issoudun (Francais)