Surrounded by ramparts, the medieval town of La Charité-sur-Loire, standing by the Loire river, is famous for its Clunisian priory. Founded in 1059, this Benedictine monastery, part of the Order of Cluny, is a remarkable example of Burgundian Romanesque art, along with its church, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Way of St. James.
Many relics still remain from its past as a major monastic town: discover the Priory Church of Notre-Dame, a gem of Clunisian architecture from the 11th and 12th centuries, the Sainte-Croix bell tower, the convent buildings - chapter house, 18th-century cloister, monks' cellar, prior's lodge - as well as the Benedictines' garden, where the ruins of the old Church of Saint-Laurent are preserved.
Around the priory, enjoy a walk to admire the attractions of the historical quarter, such as the picturesque side streets, passages and flights of steps, medieval ramparts, and various shops devoted to the world of books. Bookshops, book dealers, calligraphers, illuminators and binders make La Charité-sur-Loire a real book town... An ideal destination for lovers of reading and collectors of old publications!
A number of book-related events take place every year in the town, including the festival of words in June, the old book and document fair in July, book night in August, and a book market on the third Sunday of each month between October and March.
A few kilometres east of La Charité-sur-Loire lies the verdant Bertranges Forest, a vast oak wood that's ideal for walking and relaxation...
Located on the banks of the Loire, 2 hours from Paris by car or train, La Charité-sur-Loire is a medieval city with the Notre Dame church is listed on the World Heritage List in 1998. A major step on Saint-Jacques paths Compostela continues to attract pilgrims. His story begins in 1059.
The bishop of Auxerre, Hugh of Champallement, donated his land at a place called "Seyr" Hugh of Semur, Abbot of Cluny in order to build a monastery.
100 monks of Cluny came to build this new marvel of Burgundian Romanesque art! The Notre Dame Church at the time, the second largest church in Christendom after Cluny! The closing of the monastery including the Notre Dame church, the St. Lawrence church, monastic buildings, the courses and the Garden of the Benedictines reflect the magnitude of this Cluny foundation. 200 monks will then stay in buildings. Many pilgrims passing enjoying "the charity of good fathers," theological virtue which gave its name to the city.
Choke point on the Loire, the monastery was enriched. His influence spans 45 priories and 400 outbuildings in France and Europe, from England to Portugal, from Venice to Constantinople... On March 9, 1107, the church was consecrated by Pope Paschal II. In 1164, the prior Rodolphe de Sully builds a ring of ramparts to protect the town that developed around the monastery. In 1429, Joan of Arc tries to take the city on behalf of King Charles VII. In vain. The Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion, will gradually weaken the monastic city, but it's ultimately a huge fire which will precipitate his ruin.
Much of the monastery and 200 homes were destroyed. The city is rebuilt the monastery but the decline begins and will last 400 years. In 1789, there are only 12 monks. The city wedged between the Loire and walls can grow as the population continues to increase. In 1790, the Constituent Assembly seized the church property. The municipality is authorized to sell pieces of the priory residents to make their homes. The priory is the fifth of the surface of the city is as encysted fossilized... It disappears gradually in the city to become invisible.
In 1840, Prosper Mérimée, inspector of historic monuments, save the magnificent tympanum of the great priory dating from the original construction and the one found in the wall of a room for rent. It classifies the church "historical monument". But it was in 1974 that the architect Jean-Pierre rediscovers the priory Duthoit...
1974-2008: the hidden treasures reappear openly: JP Duthoit convince the municipality to restore the monastery by buying the original parts of buildings to their owners, piece by piece. The city becomes the owner of 9 / 10th of its surface.
Since 2001, major restoration work has to cleverly highlight the remains of the St. Lawrence church, the garden of the Benedictines, graves of the tenth century... The Gothic halls, after 3 years of stabilization and meticulous renovation regained their original volume. The east wing of the priory and the halls of the eighteenth century (North Wing) were also completed.
Charity is now a charming small city, located in a beautiful environment between Loire and forest wild Bertranges second oak from France. Its heritage attracts fans from all over France. It is also a city with an intense cultural activity.
The Notre-Dame, a jewel of Romanesque surprised by its vast proportions and magnificence: 122 meters long, 72 meters high for its steeple. The Romanesque portal of origin and four secondary gates opened in the twelfth century in the nave and the four church collateral. The current gate was rebuilt in the sixteenth century.
The magnificent Gothic rooms accommodate exhibitions of national scope.
See also: the historic streets, passing the Gatehouse, Cellier monks, the garden of the Benedictines, the walls, the stone bridge (XVI) in "donkey" etc.
The forest is a splendid Bertranges reserve large animals. In 10,000 hectares, it is home to a very diverse flora. Outdoor enthusiasts there are unmistakable. It is a paradise for walkers and cyclists. Tracks and circuits arranged.
A La Charité-sur-Loire, we are also in the Loire Valley, a protected nature reserve. Wild river, the Loire and defeated creates islands. On the occasion of floods, the secondary arms are born or close. Walking and hiking and canoeing are organized in the Natural Reserve of the Val de Loire, which houses a rich natural heritage for wildlife (270 species) and fauna (200 species). Beavers have returned.
Discover also: the vineyard. Formerly operated by the Benedictine monks, it was prestigious. It had its place on the table of kings. It was destroyed by phylloxera in the late nineteenth century. For several years, winemakers have worked at it by replanting the 2 varieties typical Burgundy: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Since then, the winery has gained notoriety and has the name "Côtes de La Charité".
- The 3rd Sunday in April is the big spring old book market.
- The Aux Quatre Coins du Mot festival on Ascension weekend.
- The old books and old paper fair every 3rd Sunday of the month.
- In July and August: Here's Summer in the City.
- Blues Festival in Loire in August.
- Les Musicales Festival in September-October.
- Grands Chemins Festival in the fall.
Stages d'été à La Charité-sur-Loire
- From 2 to 30 july 2025
- 10 Rue du Pont, Galerie du Pont
- A one-day course to discover or perfect drawing and painting techniques.
Voilà l'été Dans la Cité !
- From 7 july to 21 september 2025
- 8, cour du Château, Cité du Mot, Centre culturel de rencontre
- This is the name given to the priory's summer programme and the Ville d'art et d'histoire label. - Since 2018, it has been built around three pillars : the heritage programme, with its exhibitions - Exhibitions, tours, workshops and meetings ; the installation of the library in the priory - In the priory and its cultural activities for all ages ; and lastly, the shows and festivals - And lastly, the shows and festivals that punctuate the summer right up to the European Heritage Days weekend. - Weekend. - Detailed programme and venues on the Cité du Mot website : https://www.citedumot.fr - info@citedumot.fr
Exposition d'Aquarelles - Blandine Conot
- From 14 to 27 july 2025
- 5 Place Sainte-Croix, Office de Tourisme
- After moving several times - - to Limousin, where I practised enamelling, - - Alsace, where I learnt polychrome painting on wood, - - Burgundy, where I learnt porcelain painting, then illumination at a course in La Charité sur Loire, - - Finally, it was in Tunisia that I discovered the watercolour technique. - There I met painters who introduced me to pigments, colours and the interplay of light and shadow. - I've now been living in the Vendée for a number of years, where I've learnt various techniques from different teachers, and perfected my mastery of watercolour, which has become a matter of course for me. - This passion drives me more and more every day.
Stage Art du Collage
- On 23 july 2025
- 10 Rue du Pont, Galerie du Pont
- Create the unit from multiple sources. - Research, compose, organise and make choices to guide your work towards a singular personal expression. - Cutting, tearing, gluing, superimposing, tearing… you will work with all kinds of paper, printed or not, to create a coherent and well-constructed work. - Introduction with a quick tour of the history of artistic collage. - Materials required - - scissors and/or cutter - - 1 stick of white glue - - brushes of various sizes (to spread the glue) - - medium-sized support (approx. 30x40) : canvas, medium board or plywood - Allow for 2 supports. - Materials provided : - - all the gluing elements - - gesso for priming if necessary - - universal liquid glue - Maximum 8 people - On-site accommodation available (sleeps 3) - information on request.
Stage Dessin, les Bases : Ombre, Lumière, Perspective
- On 24 july 2025
- 10 Rue du Pont, Galerie du Pont
- A day to discover or perfect the basics of drawing : light and shadow and perspective. - Morning : light and shade - An essential approach to mastering volume drawing - Understand the impact of light on objects and their environment - Refine perception of the values that reveal forms - Work on the representation of clean and projected shadows - Develop modelled or clean transitions. - Afternoon : perspective - We'll look at the basics of perspective as applied to art drawing. No architectural work here, just the fundamental technical elements that will enable you to understand and apply perspective to your creations without error. - Materials required - - 2h, HB, 2B, 6B pencils - - eraser - Materials provided : - - paper - - ruler
Pas Souvent
- On 26 july 2025
- 3 Chemin de la Saulaie, la goguette de l'ile
- Pas Souvent is a punk-rock band from Vannes. - Formed in 2019, the band's visual identity has been a source of amusement since its inception, arousing the curiosity of an audience that it has gradually built up. - The band of friends decided to mark the occasion by releasing three videos directed in 2020 and 2021 by Adrien Audo, who reveals here in images the summary of their crazy state of mind. 2022 will be the year of the band's first performances, but also the year of the release of their 1st ep 'l'Essai Pour Compte'. Still in the starting blocks, their 1st album "La Pièce Manquante" will be released on 13 October 2023, supported by a 4th video clip "Bison Futé", this time entirely directed by DYW. After more than fifty dates in two and a half years in a part of western France, and 4 live sessions unveiled in 2024, the group is now working on its next album, with a 1st single accompanied by a new video scheduled for the end of December.
Braderie/ Brocante de la Saint Jacques
- On 27 july 2025
- Centre-ville
- For one day, the town centre of La Charité-sur-Loire is unpacking ! - Shopkeepers and residents alike are getting together to sell off their wares. - There'll be plenty of entertainment, food and refreshments on hand to ensure that visitors have a great day out in our town ! - Registration : https://lacharitesurloire.fr/braderie-de-la-saint-jacques-2025
Stage Yoga et Peinture - Quand le Corps et la Couleur s'Expriment
- On 29 july 2025
- 10 rue du Pont, Dojo YogaSora et Galerie du Pont
- A day of relaxation thanks to two complementary practices - Yoga and painting. - Two venues on either side of the Pont de Loire : - Dojo YogaSora and Galerie du Pont - Morning yoga 10am/12pm (session open to beginners) - Through postures, breathing and a moment of meditation, this morning of hatha yoga will help you relax both body and mind. This relaxation is essential for opening up to everything that surrounds us and resides within us. - It will then become a source of inspiration, as we'll experience in the afternoon with our painting practice. - Lunch break. - Afternoon painting 2pm/5pm (session open to beginners) - The relaxation and openness initiated in the morning by yoga will enable us to encounter the colours, lines and shapes with which, through guided creative play, we will continue to connect with our deepest nature in lightness and gentleness thanks to an intuitive practice. - A variety of techniques will be used to respond to the sensations released during the morning : acrylic paint, mixed media with paint, collage.
Bob' s not Dead et rip Chef
- On 1 august 2025
- 3 Chemin de la Saulaie, la goguette de l'ile
- Double bill with opening act rip chef, a duo that really get things moving. Corks pop and people dance, or is it the other way round ? From cardboard bellows to mother-of-pearl spines, songs to share. From the melodious epic to the raw sound of punk rock, rip chef are a carefree band that will get you out of your jams. - Followed by the well-known bob's not dead, for the second time in our history ! - a great evening ahead !
Atelier - Des Mots aux Présents
- On 5 august 2025
- 8 Cours du Château, La Cité du Mot - prieuré de la Charité
- Visual artist Claire Xuân, who specialises in multi-sensory workshop-encounters, will be guiding you through her artistic installation of visual, olfactory, tactile and gustatory experiences at the Cité du Mot in La Charité-sur-Loire. - During a sensory immersion in the Priory, discover a selection of photographed objects from the collections of the Cité des Présents-François Mitterrand in a fun and interactive way. Then let your imagination run wild as you share your thoughts about this place steeped in history and these objects from the museums of Château-Chinon. - Open to all, accompanied children aged 12 and over
