Vierzon's position at the confluence of rivers Yèvre and Cher, in the province of Berry (Cher)places it in the heart of France. It is only one and three quarter-hours’ train journey away from the capital Paris and at the intersection of three motorways, the A10, A20 and A71. It is an industrial town but has maintained its architectural and cultural richness. Historic buildings, such as the remnants of the medieval walls and the ancient Parish Church of Notre Dame still testify to its history.

Canal de Berry cuts through the town. After more than a century of use the canal's maintenance was handed over to the towns and villages  bordering it's 260 km. While many have chosen to neglect it Vierzon has at least restored 2km stretch to its former glory.  This rehabilitation means that each summer, river trips are offered aboard small electric electric and you can walk the towpaths and fish the canal.

Our favourite spot on our own visit to Vierzon was the very peaceful ‘Square Lucien Beaufrère’ a garden on an resting between the Yèvre River and the Canal de Berry. It is landscaped in an Art Deco style designed by the architect Eugène-Henry Karcher. His design was detailed down to the plants and flowers that should be used. The centrepiece of the garden is monument to the First World War dead and contains reliefs harking back to the town’s industrial past.

The park also has a wonderful art deco auditorium.

Like many towns of the region Verzon grew up around a chateau that sadly has been lost to time. Little remains of the original 12th century building but you can walk through its former entrance ‘Porte Banier’,which has had a clock tower added and see small remnants of the old town defences which were demolished in the 1800’s in order to expand the town boundaries.

Source: officedetourismedevierzon

This imposing building is the former tractor factory of the town on Esplanade la Française, it now houses a cinema and bowling alley.It sits opposite the towns museum to its industrial past.

Today Vierzon is a lively city of 30,000 inhabitants, with its abundance of game from the forests in the Sologne and fish from the many rivers – not forgetting the numerous wines from the surrounding vinyards (Quincy, Reuilly, etc). It offers major sporting facilities, a new theatre and arts complex and a busy street market where the visitor can sample the local wine and food, including the famous goats cheeses of Berry.

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