A Town of Art and History, standing on the banks of the Loire, the old ducal town of Nevers is dominated by its Gothic cathedral and offers an important architectural and artistic heritage. A walking itinerary, the Blue Trail (Fil Bleu), dotted with signposts and lecterns, invites you to discover the gems of Nevers: the ducal palace, Cathedral of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte, Romanesque Church of Saint-Étienne, Baroque Chapel of Sainte-Marie, Goguin Tower and Croux Gate are some of the monuments that you can admire along the way.
The former residence of the Counts and Dukes of Nivernais, the ducal palace of Nevers, built in the late 15th century for Count Jean de Clamecy, is a remarkable example of civil architecture from the early Renaissance period. A listed Historic Monument, this splendid edifice, adorned with sculptures, is now home to the Tourist Office for Nevers and its region, and many exhibitions are also held within its walls.
Another major building in the town is the Cathedral of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte, flanked by two chancels, a Romanesque one to the West and a Gothic one to the East. Another special feature is its superb modern stained glass windows, whose bright, warm colours diffuse soft, multi-coloured light. With 130 picture windows adding up to 1052 m² of windows, it is one of the biggest sets of contemporary stained glass windows in Europe! A colossal work produced by the artists Alberola, Honegger, Rouan, Ubac and Viallat, which will have taken over 30 years to make!
After visiting the cathedral, take the time to stroll along the charming ramparts walk, from the imposing Croux Gate, a relic of the medieval surrounding wall, to the banks of the Loire...
Next, enter the world of earthenware. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the town was famous for its expertise in this artistic craft, with the remarkable collection of Nevers earthenware, ranging from the 16th to the 20th century, on display at the Frédéric Blandin Municipal Museum. Then find out more about the famous Nevers blue by taking a stroll around the earthenware quarter, located at the approach to the cathedral.
Near to Roger Salengro Park, the Bernadette Area, mother-house of the Sisters of Charity, contains the saint's body in its chapel. Many pilgrims come to pray there, and its offers a museographic area dedicated to the spiritual life of Bernadette Soubirous.
Every year in July, the town of Nevers comes alive, especially during its street theatre festival, Les Z'accros d'ma rue.
Main town of the department of Nièvre, Nevers takes place in Burgundy-Franche-Comté region, in the province of Nivernais. It is located between Auxerre and Chalon-sur-Saône, at the confluence of the Loire and the Nièvre.
People of the Gallo-Roman period, the commune of Nevers was named capital of the hereditary County of Nevers from the tenth century. Former fortified city, it owes its fame to its faience of international renown. The specificity of its products rests on the famous blue of Nevers, a color that is only found on these works of art.
Classified as a city of art and history, Nevers, also known as the City of the Dukes, is today mainly focused on tourism, offering visitors a very important architectural and historical heritage.
Its gastronomy, centered on honey, cheese or even Charolais meat, is also the success of this commune which does not lack charm.
Gothic style, the cathedral Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte has been classified to the Historic Monuments. It has the peculiarity of presenting two choirs, one in Gothic style and the other in Romanesque style. Ancient, it reveals however contemporary stained glass particularly colored. Inside, one can admire a baptistery of the 6th century, while the tower offers an impregnable view over the whole city.
Inscribed in the Historic Monuments, the abbey Saint-Martin was established from the eighth century. It loses its bell tower at the French Revolution, before sheltering a market, then the stables of the local gendarmerie. Today, one can only admire the home of the abbot.
A great number of other religious buildings are renowned as Nevers, like the church of St. Peter, or the chapel of St. Mary and its baroque facade. A beautiful Romanesque monument, the church of Saint-Etienne was built in the second half of the eleventh century. Inside, you can admire a Madonna and Child with a polychrome stone dove, classified as a Historic Monument. A former chapel of the 19th century, the chapel of Saint-Sylvain allows to admire a painted decoration of origin installed on virtually all the walls and the vaults.
Former residence of the dukes of Nevers, the ducal palace reveals a very beautiful Renaissance facade. Considered one of the first castles of the Loire, today it is partly used as an annex to the town hall. However, spaces are open to the public, offering aquariums of fish from the Loire, or even temporary exhibitions. Just opposite, the place of the Republic reveals Gallo-Roman vestiges.
Specialized in earthenware, the Frédéric Blandin Museum offers fine collections of enamelled glasses, earthenware and fine art.
As you walk through the city, you can appreciate the 14th century Croux gate, as well as the Goguin tower, which form ancient vestiges of the ramparts. An archaeological museum reveals various objects found around Nevers, inside the door of the Croux. Formerly decorated, the arch of triumph of the city dates from the eighteenth century and was elevated for the victory of Fontenoy.
Famous in the sports world, the circuit of Nevers Magny-Cours welcomes each year the Bol d'Or, or the Grand Prix of France Formula 1.
The gardens of the Baratte offer many different atmospheres to discover during a walk. On the program of the places: vegetable gardens, fountains, laundries, gardens or even old houses of market gardeners.
Rewarded with three flowers in the Contest of Flower Towns and Villages of France, Nevers has many green spaces scattered all over the commune.
The markets of Nevers take place from Tuesday to Saturday, all day. Every Saturday morning, a market is offered, while on Wednesday afternoons in July and August, the city offers a summer market. December is the scene of a charming Christmas market.
The Z'accros, in July, is a street arts festival featuring various shows.
Every summer, Nevers-plage reproduces the maritime life on the banks of the Loire, and the municipality takes advantage to organize various cultural or sporting events.
Jazz Festival Nevers offers annual concerts of artists from around the world in the fall.
In October, Nevers in Vif hosts the best of the French rock scene.
At the beginning of December, the Salon des auteurs nivernais highlights the local edition through meetings and dedications.
Exposition : Le Château Intérieur
- From 29 march to 9 june 2024
- 16 Rue Saint Genest, Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux Arts
- Silhouettes of knights and castles alongside fragments of ceramics and tiles… - A journey through imagined vestiges. - Invited by the Centre d'Art Contemporain to exhibit his work in the chapter rooms of the Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux Arts, the painter Yann Lacroix wanted to contrast his work with the collections of Nevers museums. - This exhibition is produced in partnership with the Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux-Arts de Nevers. - Special thanks to the Musée archéologique nivernais, the Anne-Sarah Bénichou gallery - Paris, and the lending collectors. - Opening on Friday 29 March at 6 pm. - Free admission, open during museum opening hours : 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm.
Fête Foraine
- From 1 to 16 june 2024
- Parc Roger Salengro, Rue Henri Barbusse
- Have the time of your life at the funfair ! Treats and rides for all ages ! - Open from 1 to 16 June in Parc Roger Salengro, every day from 2pm to 9pm.
Concert : A Tous Vents
- On 5 june 2024
- Boulevard Pierre de Coubertin, La Maison
- The Conservatoire's ensembles will be giving a major concert on 5 June at La Maison in Nevers at 7.30pm. - 150 musicians will be on stage for a concert full of colour and energy ! - Gruppetto Wind Orchestra, conducted by Damien Froelich - Scherzo Wind Orchestra, conducted by Yann Bail - Jazz Band, conducted by Gilles Martin - Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Yann Bail - Creation of a woodwind ensemble, supervised by : Céline Heurtier, Émilie Courrent-Zanlonghi, Claudine Bonodot-Martin, Bruno Prévotat, Céline Hersoc, Bruno Boutet, Karine Leclerc. - Free admission.
Stomy Bugsy + Passi en Concert
- On 7 june 2024
- 10 Rue Mademoiselle Bourgeois
- This event is organised by the City of Nevers (Department of Proximity and Social Cohesion) in conjunction with Café Charbon. - Stomy Bugsy is regarded as one of the leading lights of French rap. A founding member of the group Ministère A.M.E.R, whose album 95200 reached the top of the charts, he went solo in 1996, releasing "Le Calibre qu'il te Faut". With a double gold disc in his pocket, Stomy Bugsy began acting in theatre and cinema. Always in support of his "fans", he appeals to all generations and delivers explosive, humour-filled concerts ! - Passi, another member of the Ministère A.M.E.R trio, has gone on to release a trilogy of albums, 'Les Tentations', 'Genèse' and 'Odyssée', establishing himself as one of the unmissable figures in the history of French rap. - Stomy Bugsy and Passi will be sharing the stage at Café Charbon for a special concert on 7 June.
Visite Guidée : Yann Lacroix et les Collections des Musées de Nevers
- On 7 june 2024
- 16 Rue Saint Genest, Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux Arts
- Guided tour of "Yann Lacroix and the Nevers museum collections" at 6.30pm at the Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux-Arts. - As part of the exhibition "Le Château intérieur" (The Inner Castle), the artist's works enter into dialogue with pieces from the collections of the Porte du Croux archaeological museum and the Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux-Arts. - Architectural elements, sculptures and paintings create a new narrative and take us on a journey through time. - See you on 3 May and 7 June. - Free admission. - Information at https://culture.nevers.fr
Course Urbain-Trail La Moustache
- On 8 june 2024
- Centre ville
- See you on Saturday 8 June ! - A 10 km route through the heart of Nevers' heritage is open to everyone ! - Thursday 6 and Friday 7 June : pick up your participant pack at the "French Run" shop (10 Place Saint Sébastien 58000 NEVERS) from 10am to 7pm (ID and registration QR code required). - Saturday 8 June from 3pm - Opening of the village - Registration / Pick-up of participant pack on the Esplanade du Palais Ducal (ID and registration QR code compulsory). - At 7pm : Departure of La Moustache - At 8.15pm : Ceremony and cheque presented to La Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Nièvre section
Course : Chevaliers et Princesses
- On 8 june 2024
- 1 Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Esplanade du Palais ducal
- As part of the Bottine et Moustache event, children will have their own "Knights and Princesses" race on Saturday 8 June. - For children aged 6 and over. - 1 km course. - Starts at 6.30pm on the Esplanade du Palais ducal. - Registration on site. Free admission.
Spectacle : Emilie Jolie
- On 8 june 2024
- 2 Boulevard Pierre de Coubertin, La Maison
- An inter-generational tale by Philippe Chatel, adapted for backing singers, actors, little dancers and professional musicians providing live accompaniment : Franck Grière (bass), Didier Brunet (drums) and Patrice Ravaud (guitar). 200 artists on stage ! - Choreography for the little dancers by Laura Villy. - Saturday 8 June at 8pm. - Prices : €15 (adults), €10 (6-18 year olds) and free for children under 6. - Tickets available at http://www.helloasso.fr = lepetitconservatoire
Marche Sportive La Bottine
- On 9 june 2024
- Pont de Loire
- Ladies and girls, join us on Sunday 9 June for the Bottine walk ! - The village will be set up on the esplanade of the Ducal Palace. - Sunday 9 June 2024 from 9am - Opening of the village - Registration / Collection of participant pack for La Bottine on the Esplanade du Palais Ducal - (ID and registration QR code required) - At 10am - Start of La Bottine (5 km) - Start : Pont de Loire / Finish : Esplanade du Palais Ducal - At 11am - Ceremony and cheque presented to La Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Nièvre section
Visite - Atelier : Mémoire - Atelier d'Écriture Dans l'Exposition Temporaire
- On 9 june 2024
- 16 Rue Saint-Genest, Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux Arts
- Visit - workshop : Memory - writing workshop in the temporary exhibition "Yann Lacroix" offered by the heritage department of the city of Nevers on Sunday 9 June from 3pm to 5pm. - The exhibition "Le Château intérieur", which brings together paintings by Yann Lacroix and sculptures from the Musée de la Porte du Croux, is now closed. Before the exhibition is taken down, join us for a final reverie among the works. Texts by Italo Calvino will be read to highlight them, and you can share your impressions during a writing workshop. - Meet at the Musée de la Faïence et des Beaux-Arts. - Free but registration required https://culture.nevers.fr