Châteauroux, Indre Département, Centre-Val de Loire, France

🇫🇷 Châteauroux is the capital city of the French department of Indre, central France and the second-largest town in the province of Berry, after Bourges.

History The old town, close to the river, forms a nucleus around which a newer and more extensive quarter, bordered by boulevards, has grown up; the suburbs of St. Christophe and Déols lie on the right bank of the Indre. The castle from which the city takes its name was built in the latter part of the 10th century by Raoul, prince of Déols. From 920 to 1008, the Norman raids forced the monks of the abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys, founded in Brittany by Saint Gildas, to bring his relics to the abbey of Saint-Gildas of Châteauroux that they founded under the protection of the prince Ebbes of Déols, father of Raoul. During the Middle Ages it was the seat of a seigniory, which passed to the Chauvigny from 1207 to 1473 and was raised to the rank of countship in 1497 for Jean V d'Aumont. In 1616, when it was held by Henry II, Prince of Condé, it was raised to the rank of duchy. In 1736 it returned to the crown, and was given to Marie Anne de Mailly-Nesle, duchess of Châteauroux, by Louis XV in 1744. The present Château Raoul housing the préfecture offices dates from the 15th century.

Monuments • Château Raoul, 15th century • Church of St. André, 19th century • Church of St. Martial, 12th-16th century • Église Notre-Dame, 19th century • Convent of the Cordeliers, 13th century • Equinoxe • La Prairie St. Gildas • Le Parc de loisirs de Belle-Isle • Le Tarmac • Musée Bertrand • Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires • Musée du Compagnonnage • Public Garden and the Jardins des Cordeliers • Quartier St. Christophe.

Transport There are direct services from Châteauroux railway station to Paris, Orléans, Limoges, Toulouse, and several other regional destinations. The A20 motorway connects Châteauroux with Vierzon, Brive-la-Gaillarde, and Toulouse.

The city offers free public transportation since 2001. Total ridership is up 208% between 2001 and 2012.

The city is served by Châteauroux-Centre "Marcel Dassault" Airport which is in the commune of Déols to the North. The airport is used mainly for cargo, maintenance, training and light aviation but also is served by seasonal charter services.