©herisson-dans-la-vallee-de-l-aumance-luc-olivier-cdt-allier-38|Luc Olivier

Little City of CharacterHérisson, a spicy medieval town!

Hérisson, a small town full of character – EN

First there are the remains of the Château des Ducs de Bourbon on its rocky outcrop, then the loop of the River Aumance which highlights the medieval fortified enclosure…

You’re in Hérisson!

A visit to Hérisson, a Petite Cité de Caractère®, is a voyage of discovery through a maze of alleyways and lanes.

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©herisson-dans-la-vallee-de-l-aumance-luc-olivier-cdt-allier-7|Luc Olivier

©village-medieval-herisson-13|MALAURY BUIS

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Hérisson has many faces

The peaceful banks of the River Aumance, the precious Church of Saint-Pierre de Châteloy, the Porte de l’Enfer and the Porte de Gateuil all bear witness to the astonishing cultural wealth of the village. Dynamic since the 19th century, the town has retained its artistic soul and offers its visitors theatre and music festivals, artists’ residencies and numerous exhibitions.

©village-medieval-herisson-14|MALAURY BUIS

Another attractive and remarkable city

Ainay le Château

Medieval village in the north of the region

The attractive medieval town of Ainay le Château owes its glorious past to its strategic geographical location, at the junction of Berry and the Pays de Tronçais in the Bourbonnais region. From the drained moat to the restored ramparts, from the Porte de l’Horloge to the Maison des Gardes, via the Church of Saint-Etienne and the Chapelle Saint-Roch, a stroll around Castelainais reveals a wealth of heritage treasures…

Although its fortified castle has now disappeared, Ainay remains a remarkable village.