ClasséTown walls · protected 1886Ancien rempart gallo-romainPart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ancien prieuré Saint-Martin-des-Champs · Photo: Olivier Hammam · CC0115historic monuments
History of Bourges · Monuments historiques
A secteur sauvegardé since 1965, and 115 historic monuments
The Culture ministry lists 115 historic monuments in Bourges: 33 classé (France’s highest heritage protection) and 80 inscrit (the second level). 2 have no protection level on the list. That’s 18 for every 10,000 residents, more per resident than 94% of compared French towns; the median compared French town has 2.5. The oldest date from Antiquity. We have photos of 79 of them.
Monuments historiques
115
18 per 10,000 residents
median compared town 2.5
median compared town 2.5
Classé
33
the highest protection
Inscrit
80
the second level
Oldest part
Antiquity
of any listed monument
Homes before 1919
11%
median compared town 7.4%
In pictures
Bourges in 79 photos
Nearly every classé monument, photographed. Tap a photo to step through them full screen.
Ancien couvent des Augustins et vestiges de l'église conventuelleClassé
Ancien Hôtel-DieuClassé
Hôtel LallemantClassé
Hôtel du Bureau des Finances, ou hôtel des MéloizesClassé
Ancien château de LazenayClassé+74See all photosPhotos from Wikimedia Commons, copied to our own server, each credited to its photographer with its license; names open the monument’s page.
Protected area
Bourges has had a protected historic area since 1965
Sites patrimoniaux remarquables on the Culture ministry’s list, with the plan in force.
| Area | Created as | Plan in force |
|---|---|---|
| SPR24-01 | Secteur sauvegardé February 18, 1965 | PSMV (safeguarding plan) July 20, 1994 |
A site patrimonial remarquable protects a whole area rather than one building: inside it, building work follows the area’s own plan and needs the agreement of the architecte des Bâtiments de France. A PSMV (plan de sauvegarde et de mise en valeur) is the strictest plan: it covers every building, inside as well as out.
The list gives no boundaries, so the map can’t show the area.
Map
Where Bourges’ monuments stand
Every monument with a point on the ministry’s list; the larger, darker dots are classé.
ClasséInscritLevel not givenWithin 400 m of Hôtel Bastard
24 of 33classé monuments stand within 400 m of Hôtel Bastard, with 78 of the town’s 115 monuments.
Tap a dot to open the monument’s page: its record, photo and the monuments around it.
115 monuments by protection
33 Classé80 Inscrit2 Level not given
Classé is the higher protection: any work on the building needs the State’s permission. Work on an inscrit building must be declared to the State in advance. Around both, building work in sight of the monument (usually within 500 m) needs the agreement of the architecte des Bâtiments de France.
Points as the ministry gives them: a monument spread over several plots has one point.
Classé
33 classé monuments in Bourges
Classé is France’s highest protection for a building, held by about a third of the monuments on the list. 16 of the 33 are protected in part only (a façade, a roof, a room). Each card opens the monument’s page.
ClasséPriory · protected 1991Ancien prieuré Saint-Martin-des-ChampsPart of the building is protectedPhoto: Olivier Hammam · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséMonument · protected 1840Porte Saint-Ours, provenant de la collégiale Saint-UrsinPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséCathedral · protected 1862cathédrale Saint-ÉtiennePhoto: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséHouse · protected 1989Maison du Château et porte romanePart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséChâteau · protected 1994Ancien château de LazenayPart of the building is protectedPhoto: Faboss29 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséChurch · protected 1929Église Saint-Pierre-le-GuillardPhoto: Chris06 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Classé
ClasséHome · protected 1895Vestiges du palais du duc Jean-de-BerryPhoto: Guillaume70 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséConvent · protected 1992Ancien couvent des Augustins et vestiges de l'église conventuellePart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Classé
ClasséTown house · protected 1959Hôtel BastardPart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséTown house · protected 1886Hôtel des Echevins (ancien Hôtel de ville)Photo: Julien Descloux · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Classé
ClasséTown house · protected 1840Hôtel ou Palais Jacques-CoeurPhoto: Remi Mathis · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséBuilding · protected 1932Immeuble voisin de l'hôtel PelvoysinPart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséHouse · protected 1928Maison de Bienaimé GeorgesPart of the building is protectedPhoto: Sylenius · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Classé
ClasséHouse · protected 1914Maison Houet, dite maison aux RaisinsPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséHouse · protected 1911Maison, dite de la Reine BlanchePart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséHospital · protected 1946Ancien Hôtel-DieuPart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Classé
Classé
ClasséHouse · protected 1910Maison dite de PelvoysinPart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Show the other 9
ClasséConvent · protected 1992Ancien couvent des Ursulines, ou ancien Grand Séminaire, actuel Palais de JusticePart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséHouse · protected 1913Ancienne maison de la chanoinesse des Bénédictines de Saint-LaurentPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséTown house · protected 1944Hôtel du Bureau des Finances, ou hôtel des MéloizesPart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséReligious building · protected 1921Cloître de la cathédralePart of the building is protectedPhoto: Jc.boga · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséHouse · protected 1928Maison, 1 rue BourbonnouxPart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ClasséTown house · protected 1961Hôtel, 22 rue JoyeusePart of the building is protectedPhoto: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Archaeological site · protected 1956Crypte gallo-romaine de Sainte-Blandine
Fountain · protected 1989Fontaine monumentale gallo-romaine
Monument · protected 1921Vieil arc
Inscrit
82 inscrit monuments in Bourges
Inscrit is the second level of protection: the building is worth keeping, and any work on it must be declared. 2 of them have no protection level on the list.
All 82, A to Z
"Abbaye de Saint-Sulpice située "enclos des Bénédictins"""Maison dite "de Bernard Pastoureau""Ancien château d'eauAncien collège des Jésuites, dénommé collège Sainte-Marie, devenu lycée de garçons, actuellement école nationale supérieure d'ArtAncien enclos Tivoli (jardin de la cathédrale)Ancien grand magasin "Aux Dames de France"Ancien grand magasin "Aux Nouvelles Galeries"Ancien grand séminaireAncien hôtel des Trésoriers de la Sainte-ChapelleAncien monastère de Notre-Dame et Saint-Joseph du Mont-CarmelAncien palais archiépiscopal, devenu Hôtel de villeAncienne abbaye Saint-Ambroix, puis hôtel de BourbonAncienne église des ClarissesAncienne église Saint-Aoustrille-du-ChâteauAncienne église Saint-AoustrilletAncienne église Saint-Jean-le-VieilAncienne salle des fêtes, actuellement maison de la Culture et école de musiqueAncienne tour à poudreChâteau de ChappeCouvent des Soeurs du Très-Saint-Sacrement et de la CharitéCouvent Notre-Dame de l'AnnonciadeDomaine des Quatre-VentsEcole d'artillerie (actuellement direction des services fiscaux du Cher) et fonderie de canons (actuellement direction des armements terrestres, centre de formation des armements terrestres)Église des CarmesÉglise Saint-Pierre-le-Marché (actuelle église Notre-Dame)Ermitage dit " de l'Incarnation " ou de " Notre-Dame de Grâce " de l'ancien monastère de Notre-Dame et Saint-Joseph du Mont-CarmelFontaine de Fer, ou fontaine Saint-FirminFontaine dite de BourdaloueGrand magasin des anciens "Etablissements Aubrun"Halle au bléHalles Saint-BonnetHôpital généralHôtel de BengyHôtel de Bosredon, ou de ChouysHôtel de François MinardImmeuble de l'entreprise LeiseingImmeuble, 1 rue des ArènesInternat du lycée de jeunes filles, actuel lycée Marguerite de NavarreJardin des Prés FichauxMaison à pans de boisMaison à pans de boisMaison à pans de bois, dite maison de la TournelleMaison ColladonMaison de bois dite Maison des Trois FlûtesMaison de bois dite Maison des Trois FlûtesMaison dite de la Paneterie, ou maison AndréMaison dite des TrousseauMaison du 15e siècleMaison TrousseauMaison, 1 rue de la PoëlerieMaison, 11 rue PelvoysinMaison, 12 place Etienne-DoletMaison, 13 rue PelvoysinMaison, 14 place Etienne-DoletMaison, 14-16 rue VoltaireMaison, 17 rue BourbonnouxMaison, 23 rue MirebeauMaison, 24 rue BourbonnouxMaison, 25 rue MirebeauMaison, 3 rue BourbonnouxMaison, 3 rue Jean-GirardMaison, 33 rue GambonMaison, 35 rue GambonMaison, 5 rue BourbonnouxMaison, 5 rue Jean-GirardMaison, 52 rue BourbonnouxMaison, 7 rue PelvoysinMaison, 77 rue BourbonnouxMaison, 85 rue MirebeauMaison, 87 rue MirebeauMaison, 89 rue MirebeauMaison, ou hôtel ChambetinMaisons à pans de boisMaisons, 3 rue CambournacManoir du BeugnonMonument à Jacques CoeurMoulin à eau de la ChappeObservatoire astronomique et météorologique de l'abbé Louis-Théophile MoreuxPortail monumental de l'hôtel Gassot-de-La-ViennePortique monumental gallo-romainRecette principale et direction départementale de la PosteThéâtre municipal Jacques-Coeur
24 more, named only by their kind
24 more are named in the list only by their kind: 23 houses (maisons) and 1 building (immeuble), most from the 15th century. The 24 with an address are in the list above, by it.
15th c.17
16th c.4
18th c.3
What’s protected
Most of Bourges’ monuments are houses and homes
Each monument under the main domain Mérimée gives it.
Houses & homes62
Religious buildings21
Public & civic12
Military & fortified3
Bridges & engineering3
Shops & trade3
Houses & homes: 62 of 115 monuments (54%). 21 are religious buildings, 8 of them classé.
Mérimée files each monument under one main domain: a château with its chapel counts once. 11 have no domain on the list.
How old
How old Bourges’ monuments are
Each monument once, by the oldest part the list dates.
Prehistory & Antiquity to the 4th c.5
Middle Ages 5th–15th c.57
16th to 18th century Renaissance to Revolution34
19th century 1801–19005
20th century and later since 19019
62 of 110 dated monuments have parts from before 1500. The oldest dated: Crypte gallo-romaine de Sainte-Blandine (4th c.). 5 monuments have no date on the list.
When protected
Bourges’ list has grown since 1840
Monuments by the year they were first protected.
1928 · 12
1840186018801900192019401960198020002020
First protected, in 1840: Hôtel Lallemant, Hôtel ou Palais Jacques-Coeur and Porte Saint-Ours, provenant de la collégiale Saint-Ursin. That was France’s first list of monuments historiques, drawn up in Prosper Mérimée’s time as inspector. 12 were protected in 1928 alone. 6 have been added since 2011.
Born before 1900
81 people born in Bourges before 1900
The 20 best known on the line, and eight of them below.
Austrégésile de Bourges
Martin Gouges
Louis XI de France
Jean Colombe
Artus Legoust
François Dufaut
Jean de La Chapelle
Laurent Bordelon
Gaston-Laurent Cœurdoux
Louis Moinet
Émile Deschamps
Charles-Émile Callande de Champmartin
Paul-Adrien Bourdalouë
Eugène Corbin
Henri Brisson
Berthe Morisot
Bernard de Vesins
Julien Caussé
Edgard Blochet
Jules Bertaut
6007509001050120013501500165018001950
AB
Austrégésile de Bourges551–624 · Bishop of Bourges
MG
Martin Gouges1370–1444 · French bishop
LX
Louis XI de France1423–1483 · king of France from 1461 to 1483
JC
Jean Colombe1430–1493 · French manuscript illuminator
AL
Artus Legoust1580–1630 · French sculptor
FD
François Dufaut1604–1672 · French lutenist and composer
JL
Jean de La Chapelle1651–1723 · French writer and dramatist
LB
Laurent Bordelon1653–1730 · French playwright
Everyone born in Bourges Birthplaces from Wikidata, checked against Wikipedia.
Towns its size
Bourges has the 2nd most monuments of 41 towns its size
Compared French towns of 56,800 to 73,000 residents, by historic monuments.
Neighbors
Historic monuments in the towns around Bourges
| Town | Residents | Monuments | Classé | Protected area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourges | 64,186 | 115 | 33 | Yes |
| Saint-Doulchard | 9,647 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Trouy | 4,055 | 0 | 0 | — |
| La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin | 3,681 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Saint-Germain-du-Puy | 4,779 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Saint-Martin-d'Auxigny | 2,546 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Mehun-sur-Yèvre | 6,380 | 5 | 3 | — |
In brief
Bourges in brief
Bourges’s oldest monument, Crypte gallo-romaine de Sainte-Blandine, dates from Antiquity. All told, the list holds 115 historic monuments, 33 of them classé, including Ancien prieuré Saint-Martin-des-Champs. Its old center has been a secteur sauvegardé since 1965. For its size, it has more historic monuments than 94% of compared French towns.
cathédrale Saint-Étienne is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hôtel Bastard sits at the heart of it all, with 24 of the town’s classé monuments within 400 m. In 2026 the Mission Patrimoine picked Ancienne salle des fêtes, actuellement maison de la Culture et école de musique as a monument in danger to save. Beyond that, 11% of its homes were built before 1919, close to the 7.4% in the median compared French town.
How to read these numbers
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Monuments historiques. France protects buildings at two levels. Classé, the higher (about a third of the list), means any work needs the State’s permission; inscrit means work must be declared to the State in advance. The Culture ministry’s Mérimée base lists every protected building, and this page counts them.
- Partly protected. Many entries protect part of a building only (its façades and roofs, a staircase, a painted room). Each counts as one monument, like a fully protected one.
- Where a monument is counted. In the commune named on its protection, moved to today’s commune where communes have since merged. A monument listed for several communes counts in each.
- Sites patrimoniaux remarquables. Since 2016 France’s protected historic areas (the former secteurs sauvegardés, ZPPAUP and AVAP) share one name. Inside one, building work follows the area’s plan and needs the agreement of the architecte des Bâtiments de France.
- What isn’t here. Protected objects (furniture, organs, paintings), old buildings with no protection, UNESCO World Heritage listings and labels such as “Plus Beaux Villages de France” aren’t on this list, so this page doesn’t count them.
- No History Grade yet. Everything on this page is described, not graded: France’s History Grade isn’t built yet.
Questions about the history of Bourges
How many historic monuments are there in Bourges?
The Culture ministry lists 115 historic monuments in Bourges: 33 classé and 80 inscrit.
Which monuments in Bourges are classé?
33, among them Crypte gallo-romaine de Sainte-Blandine, Fontaine monumentale gallo-romaine, Ancien rempart gallo-romain, Vieil arc, Ancien prieuré Saint-Martin-des-Champs and Porte Saint-Ours, provenant de la collégiale Saint-Ursin.
How old are the monuments of Bourges?
The oldest parts of its listed monuments date from Antiquity.
Is Bourges a protected historic area?
Yes: part of Bourges has been a site patrimonial remarquable since 1965.
When were monuments in Bourges first protected?
The first in 1840, the latest in 2023.
How old are the homes in Bourges?
11% of its main homes were built before 1919 (median compared French town: 7.4%).
France has no History Grade yet: this page describes, it doesn’t grade.
Sources: Ministère de la Culture, Mérimée base on POP (immeubles protégés au titre des monuments historiques), October 2026 · Ministère de la Culture, sites patrimoniaux remarquables, October 2026 · INSEE, census 2023 (main homes by build period) · Wikidata and Wikipedia (people born here) · Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata (photos of the monuments, each with its own credit and license) · IGN Admin Express (boundaries) · Medians and percentiles: TownRatings, over compared French towns, updated November 4, 2026. Under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab).
Contains public sector information under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab): INSEE, DGFiP, the Interior Ministry’s statistics service (SSMSI), the Ministry of Education (DEPP), the Health Ministry’s statistics service (DREES) and the Housing Ministry (Carte des loyers). Commune boundaries: IGN Admin Express.