Bourganeuf | Tourisme Creuse Limousin

L Enjambee Creusoise 2016 Bouganeuf Jda 51651

When East meets West

Bourganeuf was founded in the 12th century by the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem. The town owes part of its fame to the fact that in 1486 it welcomed a prestigious prisoner: the Ottoman sultan Cem, son of Mehmed II, known as Prince Zizim after whom one of the towers is named.

Thus, the principal monument is the Zizim Tower, centrepiece of the lovely 15th century ensemble. The local heritage isn’t uninteresting either. Chapels, bridges, mills and archaeological sites make the Bourganeuf region a true vernacular heritage reserve.

Bourganeuf was also one of the first towns in Europe to have electricity. The Electrification Museum tells the story of this incredible epic, which changed the lives of the inhabitants of Bourganeuf and the Creuse. The turbines, hydroelectric installation and various objects and texts tell the story.

The men and country of great ambition

The Martin Nadaud House invites you to discover the life of the most famous Creuse stonemason who became an exceptional politician and to whom we owe the law on work accidents and professional training. His family home has been transformed into a unique place where events, light shows, films and sound effects offer an original and dynamic experience.

And why not stroll through the Wednesday-morning market to discover the delightful mix of regional products, the local patois and Turkish accents…?

For your “nature” adventures, one of the best walks is that of the Gorges du Verger. Leaving from this first site to be listed in the Limousin in 1912, the romantic Emile de Girardin circuit was born. This site was visited by, amongst others, George Sand in the 19th century.