Getting There -- There are good road and rail connections from Tours and other regional cities. Five to eight trains arrive daily from Paris's Gare d'Austerlitz (trip time: 2 hr.; one-way fare: 33€); the trip sometimes requires a transfer at nearby Vierzon. Twelve trains a day arrive from Tours, taking 1 1/2 hours, a one-way fare costing 20€. For information and schedules, call tel. 36-35 or 08-92-35-35-35. If you're driving from Paris, take A10 south to Orléans and A71, and then RN20 to Vierzon, where you pick up Route 76 east into Bourges. From Tours, head east along RN76.
Visitor Information -- The Office de Tourisme is at 21 rue Victor-Hugo (tel. 02-48-23-02-60; fax 02-48-23-02-69; www.bourgestourisme.com).
Special Events -- The energy level really picks up between April and August, thanks to several colorful music festivals. The Festival Printemps de Bourges, during 5 days in late April, includes dozens of concerts ranging from traditional French music to international pop and rock. Most events cost 24€ to 35€, though any number of spontaneous performances pop up along the sidewalks and in the bars for everyone to enjoy at no charge. For tickets and more information, contact the Association Printemps de Bourges, 22 rue Henri-Sellier (tel. 02-48-27-28-29; www.printemps-bourges.com). At the beginning of June, a younger, high-impact music scene explodes during the Festival Synthèse, which has attracted groups such as U2 and some of the best performers in France. For information, call tel. 02-48-20-41-87. Un Eté à Bourges runs from mid-June to mid-September. During this time, the streets fill with musical performers and actors; more-structured performances also take place in churches and public monuments, with free tickets (usually). For information, call tel. 02-48-24-93-32, or contact the tourist office.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
