La Bussière is a municipality in the Loiret department, in the Center-Val de Loire region, 10 km northeast of Gien which it is bordering.
Its vast territory of 35 km² belongs to the natural region of Puisaye, which covers part of the Loire Valley, and whose landscapes are renowned for their forests and ponds punctuating small humid and green valleys.
This is the case on La Bussière, where there are mainly forests (56% of its surface area), agricultural land (31%) and meadows (8%).
However, already occupied during Antiquity (a Roman road was built there), it is the numerous boxwoods present on the site which will give its name to the locality.
Its history was quickly linked to that of its castle, mentioned as early as the 12th century. It is then a fortified point ideally located on the road linking Paris to the Loire Valley.
Postal and commercial relay, La Bussière was affected by the Wars of Religion, and the castle was rebuilt in the 17th century. Regularly embellished, belonging to the same family since the Second Empire, the castle has become a major tourist hub, with its ponds and gardens, and its museum dedicated to fishing.
Today it remains the "locomotive" of the town, which has nearly 800 inhabitants and whose green environment also delights hikers. An essential stopover in the Loire Valley near Gien...
Apart from the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption parish church rebuilt in 1615 in a classic style (with a beautiful semi-circular apse and "decorative" bricks at the bell tower and frames), near the town hall, in the small village, replacing the previous building burned down in 1567, in the courtyard of the castle, it is indeed this same castle which is the main heritage site of the town. It is located to the west of the village.
Mentioned in the 12th century, property of Etienne de Freins, a first feudal building in the form of a fortress was renovated in the 16th century. Its main building is thus remodeled to offer a more comfortable, residential living environment. At this time, the estate passed to the Tillet family, several members of which held important positions with the King and in the Parliament of Paris.
The wars of religion cause a rupture. The castle is owned by Catholics while the neighboring town of Gien passed to the Protestants. In 1567, entire sections of the building were destroyed, or burned and damaged.
A new campaign of work began around 1600 to restore all its luster to the castle. In a classic style, based on stones and bricks, it is surrounded by a body of water which originally had some defensive virtues then turned into decoration, while the park is laid out over 60 hectares as a garden in the French style according to the principles of André Le Nôtre, the landscaper of Versailles. Other changes will follow. At the beginning of the 18th century, a facade of the main building was transformed while two entrance pavilions were built framing the access gate to the garden. In the 19th century, transformations concerned the main building with the addition of new constructions according to the fashion of the time which revisited the architectural canons of the Middle Ages. The moats are dried up and the landscape architect René-Edouard André modifies the park (which partly turns into an English garden). In 1962, the site was opened to the public by the owner Henri de Chasseval, who converted part of the interior into a freshwater fishing museum.
Obviously protected as historical monuments, the castle has also preserved stylish furniture and a number of works of art. Labeled "Remarkable Garden", the park with its shaded paths is also open to visitors, adjoining the 6-hectare body of water in which the beautiful silhouette of the castle is reflected. In addition to the landscaped gardens with their impeccable squares, there is a nourishing garden created in the 18th century (with vegetable garden and medicinal plants), a rose garden including a hundred varieties, orchards...
As for the interior, it continues to in addition to the living rooms, offer a museum space where objects and documents related to fishing are presented.
A true paradise for families, the castle of La Bussière offers workshops, games and courses specifically dedicated to young audiences. Parts of the estate are also available with room rental for events or seminars, and accommodation. Boat trips are also possible. Finally, throughout the year, markets, concerts, event evenings are scheduled without forgetting escape games.
Open every day except Tuesday from April to June, in September and October, every day in July and August, on weekends in November, and during the Christmas holidays. Free or guided tour. Price: from 5 and 10 euros (gardens and interiors). Information on +33 9 50 55 63 68 or +33 6 73 35 20 75.
Other leisure activities can brighten up a stopover on La Bussière. On a cultural level, shows or association events are regularly offered at the village hall (contact the town hall on +33 2 38 35 90 68), as well as activities at the library (contact +33 2 38 35 98 92).
For sports enthusiasts, a bowling alley and a city stadium are accessible. Fishermen are also delighted with several rivers and ponds: information on regulations and suitable sites from the local association on +33 6 68 78 31 91.
Concerning hikes, a dozen circuits and paths are mapped out in the region, some of which are specially designed for two-wheelers. These routes are thematic (connecting hamlets, ponds, heritage elements) and also allow you to reach the Briare canal or the banks of the Loire (junction with the Loire à Vélo trail). Hikers in all cases, over short distances or on routes requiring several hours, benefit from the bucolic environment of Puisaye.
Maps and information at the town hall on +33 2 38 35 90 68 or from the tourist office on +33 2 38 31 24 51.
