Ah, Briare... If this charming town doesn't tell you anything, maybe its famous enamels will tell you a little more. Between history and culture, nature and refinement, Briare is an enchanted interlude on the banks of the Loire.
On the banks of the Loire, in the Loiret department, Briare is a real little nugget. Bordering on Châtillon-sur-Loire, this town in the Centre-Val de Loire region is only about 40 kilometers from Montargis and 70 kilometers from Orléans. With a very ancient history dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, Briare flourished under the reign of Henri IV, notably when the Loyre en Seyne canal was built. Enjoying a natural setting absolutely perfect for disconnecting, Briare has several areas classified Natura 2000 as well as a built heritage of great beauty that will delight the heart of history lovers with its old stones. Also, on foot or by bike, go on an adventure for beautiful bucolic walks! First of all, you will have to see the Saint-Etienne church: built in a very elegant Romano-Byzantine style, it is registered in the inventory of the Historic Monuments for its decorations made with enamels of Briare (some of which represent signs of the zodiac), as well as for its very beautiful stained glasses. Not far away, the Briare canal bridge is THE local star: designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel, this listed bridge has the particularity of having long occupied the first place on the list of the longest bridges in Europe. This magnificent structure surprises visitors who discover for the first time these boats sailing on a bridge over their heads! From this bridge, you will also have a superb view on the Loire and its royal banks!
Still on the heritage side, the Château de Trousse-Barrière is a must: built at the very end of the 19th century in place of a former tenant farm, this building easily identifiable by its two corner towers is famous for its ceilings, its stained glass windows and its paintings, but also for hosting a whole bunch of temporary exhibitions at different times of the year. Two museums are to be seen during your stay in Briare: the museum of the two navies and the bridge-canal, as well as the one of the mosaic and the enamels. If the first one puts forward the navigation of the river and the inland waterway since the Antiquity, the second one will plunge you in the heart of the art of the enamels of Briare from their creations to our days!
Finally in the area, don't miss Gien and its castle, the castle of Blancafort, the one of Sully-sur-Loire, those of Cherriers, of La Verrerie, of Champoulet and many others!
