Châteauroux

Châteauroux is the capital of the Indre department in central France and the second-largest town in the province of Berry, after Bourges. Its residents are called Castelroussins.

Geography and climate
Châteauroux lies on the Indre River 250 km south of Paris and 142 km south of Orléans. It is situated on the edge of the government-owned Châteauroux forest and the Brenne national park. The city boasts 450 ha of parks, amounting to 52 m² for each resident. Châteauroux's average elevation is 154 m above sea level.

Châteauroux enjoys a mild climate. Temperature extremes range from an average January low of 0.8 °C to an average August high of 25.1 °C.

History
The old town, close to the river, forms a nucleus around which a newer and more extensive quarter, bordered by boulevards, has grown up; the suburbs of St. Christophe and Déols lie on the right bank of the Indre. The castle from which the city takes its name was built in the latter part of the 10th century by Raoul, prince of Déols. During the Middle Ages it was the seat of a seigniory, which was raised to the rank of countship in 1497. In 1616, when it was held by Henry II, prince of Condé, it was raised to the rank of duchy. In 1736 it returned to the crown, and was given to Marie Anne de Mailly-Nesle, duchess of Châteauroux, by Louis XV in 1744. The present Château Raoul housing the préfecture offices dates from the 15th century.

Awards
Châteauroux is one of the communes awarded the grand prize by the Concours National des Villes et Villages Fleuris, a beautification initiative begun in 1959.

Sights

 * Château Raoul
 * Musée Bertrand
 * Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires
 * Public Garden and the Jardins des Cordeliers
 * Le Parc de loisirs de Belle-Isle
 * Château de Bouges
 * Convent of the Cordeliers
 * Church of St. Martial
 * Church of St. André
 * Church of Notre Dame
 * Musée du Compagnonnage
 * Quartier St. Christophe
 * La Prairie St. Gildas
 * Equinoxe
 * Le Tarmac

Sports
La Berrichonne de Châteauroux, commonly referred to as LB Châteauroux or simply Châteauroux, is a French association football club based in Châteauroux. The football team is a part of a sports club that consists of several other sports and was founded in 1883. The team currently plays in Ligue 2, the second division of French football, having finished 16th in the 2009–10 campaign. The club has played only one season in Ligue 1; the 1997–98 season.

In 2004, Châteauroux reached the final of the 2003–04 Coupe de France. The team was defeated 1–0 by Paris Saint-Germain, but still qualified for the following season's UEFA Cup because Paris Saint-Germain finished second in the first division. Châteauroux lost in the first round to Belgian club Club Brugge.

Châteauroux plays its home fixtures at the 17,173 capacity Stade Gaston Petit in front of crowds averaging between 6,000–7,000. Visitors are directed to one end of the Credit Agricole stand. The team strip is a deep red and blue with a vertical striped shirt and blue shorts. The club president was Michel Denisot and is currently Patrick Le Seyec, while the Manager is Didier Tholot. Châteauroux's kit partner is Nike.

Festivals

 * Bals'arts
 * Vendredi...Musique
 * Festival Multirythmes
 * Festival Populaire du Folklore
 * Festival de théâtre "les Nocthalies"
 * Rock à Belle-Isle
 * Stage festival de danse de Châteauroux (DARC)
 * La Châteauroux Classic d'Indre Trophée Fenioux
 * La Biennale de Céramique contemporaine
 * Les Litztomanias
 * Salon du livre de Châteauroux
 * Forum des associations

Transport
The Gare de Châteauroux railway station offers direct connections to Paris, Orleans, Limoges, Toulouse and several regional destinations. The A20 motorway connects Châteauroux with Vierzon, Brive-la-Gaillarde and Toulouse.

The city offers free public transportation since 2001. Total ridership is up 208% between 2001 and 2012.

Personalities
Born in Châteauroux:
 * Henri Gratien, Comte Bertrand (1773–1844), general of Napoleon's army
 * Albert Aurier (1865–1892), symbolist poet, writer and art critic
 * Marcel Boussac (1889–1980), entrepreneur and horse breeder
 * Jack Claude Nezat (born 1943), author, City Councilor of Lésigny (France), initiator of Lésigny-Leingarten twinning, founder and first President of Rencontres Franco Allemandes, Annecy (Annecy-Bayreuth twinning)
 * Gérard Depardieu (born 1948), actor and businessman
 * Dean Brown (born 1955), jazz guitarist
 * Mardi Jacquet (born 1960), playmate
 * Tom Darby (born 1960), American journalist, Nevada Broadcast Hall of Fame inductee, author and blogger
 * Gilles Sunu (born 1991), footballer

Other personalities

 * Jean Lauron (1560–1620)
 * Jean-Claude Guymon de la Touche (1723–1760)
 * Pierre Leroux (1797–1871)
 * Napoléon Chaix (1807–1865)
 * Adolphe Combanaire (1859–1939)
 * George-Albert Aurier (1865–1892)
 * Fernand Maillaud (1862–1948)
 * Bernard Naudin (1876–1946)
 * Ernest Nivet (1871–1948)
 * Émile Goué (1904–1946)
 * Abbé Paviot
 * Édouard Ramonet (1909–1980)
 * Louis Suard

International relations
Châteauroux is twinned with:
 * Gütersloh (Germany) since 1977
 * Bittou (a commune of Burkina Faso) since November 1985
 * Olsztyn (Poland) since 23 February 1991