Office de Tourisme de Bourges
21 rue Victor Hugo
BP 126
18000 BOURGES
Tél. : +33(0)2 48 23 02 60
Opening
hours
Daily
from 9h to 18h
and closed on Sundays
Finding accommodations
Local specialties
SOMMAIRE de la page
- A sweet speciality : the Forestines
- A syrupy sweet tale : Monin's Syrups
- The Vineyards of the Heart of France
- The Crottin de Chavignol, a cheese that’s more than just fromage
- Green Lentils of the Berry
A sweet speciality : the Forestines
In 1879 Georges Forest invented for the first time a candy that was hard on the outside and soft in the center. Baptised “the Forestine”, this revolutionary new bonbon amazed sweet aficionados everywhere with its tender praline heart covered in a crust of spun sugar.
It soon became a hit throughout France, and was awarded a medal of honor at the 1900 Universal Exposition of Paris.
It soon became a hit throughout France, and was awarded a medal of honor at the 1900 Universal Exposition of Paris.
Today the Forestine is still made in the same manner and in the same store built by George Forest to house his pride and joy: an art nouveau stylecandy shop with stucco flowers and a colorful Gien ceramic ceiling.
A syrupy sweet tale : Monin's Syrups
In 1912 the Monin brothers opened a liqueur factory, and almost as an afterthought decided to also produce a non-alcoholic line of beverages for teetotallers. Three generations later, from Georges to Paul to Olivier, the Monins have become the world’s first manufacturers of over 100 types of syrups, with an international distribution to hotels, restaurants, cafés and fine delicatessens all over the five continents.
The opening of the Clearwater Florida factory in 1996 allowed them to take over the American marke.
Internet site : www.moninshopping.com
Internet site : www.moninshopping.com
The Vineyards of the Heart of France
Located in the center of France just two hours south of Paris, the Heart of France Vineyard Route is a circuit making use of our scenic country lanes.
While following these roads to the wineries and estates of the Centre-Loire, the visitor is sure to be surprised and delighted by the natural diversity of our varied countryside.
Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, Châteaumeillant and Pouilly-Fumé are like jewels set in diverse and beautiful landscapes. These magnificent vineyards beckon you to discover over 170 kilometers of our region's heritage and the richness of its local fare.
Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, Châteaumeillant and Pouilly-Fumé are like jewels set in diverse and beautiful landscapes. These magnificent vineyards beckon you to discover over 170 kilometers of our region's heritage and the richness of its local fare.
The Vineyards of the Heart of France
Tel. : +33 (0)2 48 78 51 07
Internet Site : www.vins-centre-loire.com/en/actualites/
Tel. : +33 (0)2 48 78 51 07
Internet Site : www.vins-centre-loire.com/en/actualites/
The Crottin de Chavignol, a cheese that’s more than just fromage
No one can visit the city of Sancerre without sitting in the town square to savour a glass of the local wines accompanied with a sliver of crottin de Chavignol, a small, round, white, local goat’s cheese that’s so delicate you’ll hardly believe it’s fromage.
Originating in the village of Chavignol next to Sancerre and baptised “crottin” because it resembled the ancient roman lamp used by winegrowers to light their wine cellars, this local specialty made from raw goats milk is strained, placed in ceramic molds, and reaches its potential after ten days of careful tending.
A favorite among tourists when “frais“, or soft and creamy, the locals prefer it “fait“, or aged to a compact, crumbly state.
In 1976 the crottin de Chavignol received the prestigious AOC label. The region’s 25,000 goats now proudly produce over 20 million cheeses annually.
Green Lentils of the Berry
A group of 40 lentil growers from the Champagne Berrichonne area in the Berry region of central France have produced a special vegetable : the “Label Rouge” green lentil of the Berry. Lentils grown in the local Berry soil have a mild flavor with a hint of chestnut taste.
Green lentils of the Berry have an important nutritional value. They can also be prepared in a variety of ways. Chefs from the Berry region combine them with many other local specialties using art, taste and originality.