The medieval town of Beaugency takes place in the Center-Val de Loire region, part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the Loiret department. Located on the banks of the Loire River, this site labeled "Plus beaux détours de France" is located about twenty-five kilometers from Orléans, on the border of Loir-et-Cher.
Occupied in prehistory and Roman antiquity, the commune of Beaugency is a Carolingian fortress from the tenth century. Former property of the Counts of Blois, it finds the crown of France under Philip the Fair at the end of the XIIIth century. After having suffered many times during the Wars of Religion, the city is now known for its historical and architectural heritage as well as for its famous carillon allowing to hear the famous air of Carillon of Vendome.
The church of Notre-Dame, classified as a Historic Monument, dates from the 12th century. Revised in the seventeenth century following the Wars of Religion, it still presents several elements characteristic of the local novel, like its entrance portal, its chevet, or its carved capitals. The building has remained famous in history for having sheltered the council declared the nullity of the marriage between the king of France Louis VII and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Other churches take place on the territory of Beaugency, like that of Saint-Etienne built in the 11th century and presenting a beautiful Romanesque style. Restored in the late 1990s, it now serves as a cultural center. Opened during the European Heritage Days, the Convent of the Ursulines dates from the first half of the 17th century. You can also admire the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel at the beginning of the 18th century.
But the most famous religious remains of Beaugency remains the bell tower Saint-Firmin, the only vestige of an ancient Romanesque church of the eleventh century. Its entrance portal presents a very beautiful example of flamboyant style, and it still houses today a carillon sounding three times a day at 8 am, 12 pm and 7 pm, on the air of the Carillon Vendôme of the fifteenth century.
In the city you can admire several vestiges of the old medieval fortifications such as the tower of the Devil, the Tavers gate of the twelfth century, or the tower of the clock which houses the municipal clock since the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Today classified as a Historic Monument, Dunois Castle of Beaugency dates back to the year 1000. It is entirely rebuilt in the 15th century by a former military chief of the Hundred Years War, Jean de Dunois, bastard of Orléans. Open to the visit, it allows to admire in particular the room of Dunois and its oratory with mural painting, a spiral staircase of the XVIe century or even the chapel Saint-Georges which dates from the fourteenth century. A beautiful medieval hanging garden has been restored. The castle now houses the Daniel Vannier Museum dedicated to the arts and traditions of Orléan.
Beautiful example of Renaissance architecture, the town hall of Beaugency dates from the first half of the sixteenth century. On the first floor, the hall of honor reveals eight embroidered hangings of the seventeenth century. As you walk through the old heart, do not miss the Templiers house, an old bourgeois house dating back to the 12th century, the half-timbered house from the 15th century or the tower of Caesar, the last vestige of Romanesque military architecture from the 11th century century. This former dungeon used to protect the city and the banks of the Loire.
The town also has a maze maze maze for family fun.
The markets take place on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings, and on Saturdays all day. A fair is organized every May 1st with a fair. A medieval market is also offered in July, at the same time as the flea market of the traders. A Christmas market takes place at the end of the year.
Every last weekend of June and first weekend of July, the city proposes its famous Sons and lights of Beaugency, a nocturnal night-time show on the medieval city and its surroundings.
Every third Sunday in June, the city organizes a flea market.
From June to August, the Estivales de Beaugency showcase numerous shows and other lively concerts.
An ephemeral beach is installed on the banks of the Loire between 14 July and 15 August.
