Boussac is a fortified town of La Marche, close to the Berry and the Bourbonnais.

The Chateau was built in the 12th century. It belonged to the princes of Déols and made up the dowry of the daughter of Ebbes de Deols and afterwards passed into the ownership of Roger de Brosse who was an ancestor of Jean 11th de Brosse, a royal Marshal of France, companion in arms of Jeanne d'Arc.

In 1427, the town became independant and to defend itself built a fortified surrounding wall, parts of which remain today.

During the hundred years war, and the revolution the Chateau suffered destruction and the keeps were partially destroyed. The castle has also been used as a Sous Prefecture (till 1926) and then as the headquarters of the state police. At some time the decorative woodwork was used as fire wood; it was even used for the agricultural fairs. Since 1965, the Chateau has undergone a large sympathetic renovation and is classed as an historic monument.

In the Chateau, you can find a permanent exhibition of ancient and modern tapestries and visit many rooms that have been furnished and decorated true to the period.

The medieval town of Boussac has some small picturesque streets with old houses that have listed iron balconies of the XVIIIth Century.

The roman style church, Sainte Anne, was restored and the bell tower is tiled with chestnut wood.
In the church you will find frescoes of the XVth century, wood carvings, and stained glass windows of the XXth century by Francis Chigot.
In one of the side chapels, you will see crosses sunk into the floor. These crosses signify the burial sites of some important inhabitants of Boussac.
In the townhall, there are three listed Tapestries from the end of the XIXth century in the style of the XVIIIth century. They were manufactured in Felletin to replace the wellknown « Lady and the Unicorn », which was discovered in the Chateau in 1841 and is now in the Musée de Cluny in Paris.

If you wish to discover the heritage of the area it is easy to find in the 13 COMMUNES OF BOUSSAC

The calm and the beauty is exceptional, and in contrast, the strength of the granite rock can be seen in the solid buildings.

The forest of Favand at Bord Saint Georges was forested under Louis XIV during the 1st Empire, then in the XVIIth century the wood was used in the glass works which unfortunately do not exist today.

Bussière Saint Georges: you can see the peculiar octagonal bell tower of the Chapel du Souchet.

Boussac Bourg: the two churches side by side built in the XIth et XIIth centuries are rare.

Lavaufranche: the only village in the area without a church or cemetery. Of historic and architectural interest is the Commanderie Hospitaliere de l’Ordre de Malte founded in 1180.

Leyrat: is at the border between la Marche and the Bourbonnais. The number of private chateaux testify to the wars between the two.

Malleret Boussac: situated on the banks of the Petite Creuse river is a peaceful village where you can see la Fontaine miraculeuse, "La Bonne Font", also a listed church of the XIIth century as well as la Chapelle de Champeix.

Nouzerines: according to legend Nouzerines was the starting point for the 2nd crusade. In May, during the village fair, there is a procession from the Romanesque style church to the old washing house of the village.

Saint Marien: the imposing church takes its name from a Hermit who lived in the wood of Combrailles and died in 513.

Saint Pierre le Bost: there is a very nice church dedicated to Saint Pierre. Near the church is a Calvary cross and interesting grave stones.

Saint Silvain Bas le Roc: In the village, you can visit the XII century church dedicated to Saint Silvain who was a Hermit of the Berry région in the Vth century.
The village took his name from him.
The beauty spot of Les Pierres Folles give you the chance to further discover the countryside.

Les Mines de Soumans were exploited by the Celts then the Romans to find Pewter and Turquoise stones. Today they extract minerals that are used for ceramics.
The chapel of Saint André at Bellefaye is one of the oldest in the region.

Toulx Sainte Croix: situated at an altitude of 656 m is a classified picturesque village.
The main tower has been used for surveillance since the time of the Gauls and today offers exceptional views over 7 departments.

During archaeological excavations the remains of a chapel, dedicated to Saint Martial was found. Toulx was evidently the first village in the Limousin to be converted to Christianity by Saint Martial in the third century.
The Romanesque style listed church is one of the oldest monument of the Creuse.
The bell tower was separated from the church after the collapse of part of the church.

Pierres Jaumatres: at an altitude of 602 m on "Mont Barlot" you will find an extraordinary collection of granit rock of remarkable size. It is said that Tulla, an illegitimate daughter of King Arthur is buried here with the treasure of the old village of Toulx. It is also said that only a person of high moral standing can find the treasure. .

WELL KNOWN PEOPLE:

     There have been many famous names associated with Boussac and the surrounding countryside.
     The famous female writer George Sand, liked to horse ride in the area and visited “Les Pierres Jaumatres” with Frederic Chopin.
     She was also inspired by the area, so much so, that her novel “Jeanne” was based here.
     She also stayed in the Chateau many times and on one of these visits she discovered the Tapestries of “La Dame à la Licorne” and immediately informed her friend Prosper Mérimé.
     The humanist and philosopher, Pierre Leroux, helped to spread the socialist and republican movement in the Creuse.
     In Boussac, in 1945, he started a printing factory which employed up to 80 people who lived and worked together.
     In 1848, he was elected Maire of Boussac and declared the Republic.
     In 1903, Camille Pelletan, minister of the navy, unveiled a statue of Pierre Leroux in a square of the same name in Boussac.
     In April 1911 the town of Boussac organised the first air show in the Creuse with the famous pilot Jean Daillen in attendance.
     In 1925, another pilot and famous novelist, Antoine de Saint Exupery, stayed at the Hotel Aucouturier of Boussac, his car was immobilised due to a double puncture!!