In the heart of the Bourbonnais region, seat of the Bourbon Kings of France, a land in harmony with its traditions, and its culture. The “Bocage Bourbonnais” or meadowland that has kept its forests & hedgerows in the heart of France ringed by the Berry, the deep Auvergne, the Limousin and the Nievre (part of the Burgundy region), a unique location accessible by train, plane and the two recently opened motorways, one hour from Clermont-Ferrand, three hours from Paris.

Imagine more than 300 Romanesque churches, more than 500 moated and renaissance castles, manor houses, stately homes and other impressive fortresses, the mediaeval villages, second only to the Dordogne for its heritage. Wander through one of Europes most reknowned oak forests, the forest of Tronçais providing some of the most sought-after wine casks, not forgetting to savour the local gastronomy. Take a walk around the lakes after a typical meal, and try to put your finger on why one feels such harmony with nature.

Souvigny, the historical capital of the Bourbonnais, boasting the first monastery to open outside Cluny, still active. Visit Moulins, on the banks of the Allier, Europes last unspoilt river and spot a salmon from the bridge linking the Bocage Bourbonnais to the Sologne Bourbonnais east of Moulins.

One of the most attractive real estate markets in France, “fermettes” (smallholdings) can still be found although getting rarer in their original condition, village houses with gardens abound, and anyway wherever you find yourself you won’t be more than ten minutes from the shops or a village café.

Jazz in the Bocage? Mediaeval festivals? Classical music in the churches? Village fairs? Old book fairs? Riding? Golf? Skiing? Canoeing down the gorges? Or simply enjoying the unspoilt countryside and its traditional sociable way of life? A region begging to be discovered again.