Cour-Cheverny
Encyclopedia
Cour-Cheverny is a commune
situated in the Loir-et-Cher
department of the Centre region
of France. The commune's land extends across the Loire Valley and across the Sologne region. Its inhabitants are known as Courchois.
(AOC) was recognized in 1997. Geographically it corresponds to the commune of Cour-Cheverny and 10 other communes in the surrounding area. The single grape variety used is Romorantin
, from which a dry, white wine is produced.
The Cheverny AOC, which was also recognized in 1997, covers a wider area but also includes the commune of Cour-Cheverny. The wines produced under this appellation are dry, white wines (the main grape variety being Sauvignon Blanc
), and red and rosé wines (the main grape variety being Gamay
).
There is even a combined sports association that oversees and coordinates 10 different sections (Gymnastics, Badminton, Basketball, Dance School, Football, Judo, Petanque, Table tennis, Shooting and Cycling (Moorland to Lakeside, i.e. off-road)). The association is called the E.S.C.C.C. (Étoile sportive de Cour-Cheverny et Cheverny or Sporting Star of Cour-Cheverny and Cheverny.)
A gymnasium, built in the last ten years, is available for indoor activities.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
situated in the Loir-et-Cher
Loir-et-Cher
Loir-et-Cher is a département in north-central France named after the rivers Loir and Cher.-History:Loir-et-Cher is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Orléanais and...
department of the Centre region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
of France. The commune's land extends across the Loire Valley and across the Sologne region. Its inhabitants are known as Courchois.
Important historical landmarks
- The name Cour-Cheverny has its origins in the vulgar LatinLatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word, curtis, meaning farm. It seems likely, then, that the village of Cour-Cheverny was once a large piece of land belonging to the nearby village of Cheverny.
- Over the years the village has had other names, such as Cour-en-Sologne, the name by which it was known up until the 19th century.
- The church was mentioned in 1145 as belonging to the Abbey of Bourgmoyen. It came under the diocese of ChartresRoman Catholic Diocese of ChartresThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Chartres is a Roman Catholic Latin Rite diocese in France.The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Tours.-Pilgrimages:...
at the time. Cour-Cheverny would have been a curtis, or farm, near to the small town of Cheverny, which began to grow in size and importance in the 6th century.
Monuments and sites of interest
- The Château of Sérigny, la Sistière, Beaumont, Chantreuil, les Murblins, and la Taurie.
- La Borde is a renowned psychiatric clinic offering institutional psychotherapy treatments
- The 12th century church of Saint-Aignan, which was altered in the 16th and 17th centuries, has a nave with two bays, two aisles, a semi-circular apseApseIn architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
, arcades of two-centred pointed arches, ribbed vaulting with a keystone dating from 1609, an east-facing great door and a tall framed spire on a central bell tower. - The Chapel of Sérigny.
- The Oratory of la Boide.
- The Conon Valley.
- The BeuvronBeuvron (Loire)The Beuvron is a river in central France, left tributary of the river Loire. Its source is near the village Coullons, southwest of Gien. The Beuvron flows generally west through the following départements and towns:* Loiret: Cerdon...
, a 115 km long tributary of the LoireLoire (river)The Loire is the longest river in France. With a length of , it drains an area of , which represents more than a fifth of France's land area. It is the 170th longest river in the world...
, that runs into the Loire at Candé-sur-Beuvron.
Demographics
Wine
The Cour Cheverny Appellation d'Origine ContrôléeAppellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
(AOC) was recognized in 1997. Geographically it corresponds to the commune of Cour-Cheverny and 10 other communes in the surrounding area. The single grape variety used is Romorantin
Romorantin
Romorantin is a traditional French variety of white wine grape, that is a sibling of Chardonnay. Once quite widely grown in the Loire, it has now only seen in the Cour-Cheverny AOC. It produces intense, minerally wines somewhat reminiscent of Chablis....
, from which a dry, white wine is produced.
The Cheverny AOC, which was also recognized in 1997, covers a wider area but also includes the commune of Cour-Cheverny. The wines produced under this appellation are dry, white wines (the main grape variety being Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
), and red and rosé wines (the main grape variety being Gamay
Gamay
Gamay is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century...
).
Tourism
The Ferme de la Gaudinière is a gîte with some bed and breakfast facilities. It is located in the hamlet of la Gaudinière, which takes its name from the gaude plant (weld), formerly used as a yellow colouring agent.Local Calendar
- Weekly market day: Tuesday.
- Saints' Days and Local Shows:
- town's saint's day: Whit Monday;
- town show: EasterEasterEaster is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
and the Sunday following the 15 August.
Events calendar
Each year, in addition to national public holidays, Cour-Cheverny holds local events, including:- Saint Vincent's Day, in honour of the patron saint of wine-growers, celebrated on the 22nd January.
- Bread Festival, first weekend in July.
- Flea Market, first weekend in August.
- Saint Cecilia's Day, in honour of the patron saint of musicians, celebrated on the 22nd November.
Hotels
| Hotel and Restaurant | Hotel and Restaurant | Restaurant | Pizzeria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Trois Marchands | Le Saint Hubert | La Vieille Auberge Auberge Auberge is an album by Chris Rea, released in 1991. The album as well as the title song was mostly notable for the association of the Caterham Super Seven that he owned, in which he called it the "Blue Seven". That car appeared on the album cover, illustrated in oil by renowned motoring artist... |
La Pergola |
Shops
| Trade | Number |
|---|---|
| Baker | 2 |
| Butcher | 2 |
| Grocer | 2 |
| Café | 5 |
| Tobacconist | 2 |
| Newsagent | 2 |
| Bookseller, etc. | 1 |
Services
| Trade | Number |
|---|---|
| Renault Garage | 1 |
| Peugeot Garage | 1 |
| Post Office | 1 |
| Dentist | 1 |
| Pharmacy | 1 |
| Doctor | 4 |
| Nurse | 4 |
| Police Station | 1 |
| Fire Station | 1 |
Residential home for the elderly
- La Favorite is the establishment employing the highest number of local inhabitants.
Leisure activities
- Building model aeroplanes
- Music (the Cour-Cheverny Lyric Choir, Cheverny)
- Pistol and Rifle shooting
- Rambling
- Petanque
Sports clubs
- Football
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
- Basketball
- Badminton
There is even a combined sports association that oversees and coordinates 10 different sections (Gymnastics, Badminton, Basketball, Dance School, Football, Judo, Petanque, Table tennis, Shooting and Cycling (Moorland to Lakeside, i.e. off-road)). The association is called the E.S.C.C.C. (Étoile sportive de Cour-Cheverny et Cheverny or Sporting Star of Cour-Cheverny and Cheverny.)
A gymnasium, built in the last ten years, is available for indoor activities.
Future projects
- By the year 2006 approximately 50 new detached houses will be ready for occupation.
Prominent people associated with Cour-Cheverny
- Paul Renouard, the 19th century artist, was born in Cour-Cheverny (above the present post office). An old commemorative plaque is still visible on the outside of the building.
- Jean-François DeniauJean-François DeniauJean-François Deniau was a French statesman, diplomat, essayist and novelist. He was until 1998 a member of the UDF .-Minister and diplomat:...
, a French statesman and writer, 1928–2007. - Alain SouchonAlain SouchonAlain Souchon is a French singer, songwriter and actor. He has released 15 albums and has played roles in seven films.-Profile:...
, the French singer, songwriter and actor, has spent part of his holidays in the village ever since he was a child, and can sometimes be seen walking down the street.