A Typical French town: Argenton Sur Creuse in pictures
70Argenton Sur Creuse
In the Centre of France there is a small town with around 5000 people called Argenton Sur Creuse. I arrived to Argenton at the start of 2005, almost by accident, and somehow I ended up settling here.
Argenton Sur Creuse conquered my heart first with its delicious patisseries, its mild microclimate, the friendliness of its people, the proximity of cheese farms and the facility of having a train station almost at my doorstep taking me to the city of Paris in around 2 hours.
Ever since then, I have been discovering little by little the history of the town, its hidden “beaches” by the river, calm walks in the woods and cycling paths that take me in to the heart of France and never stop to amaze me with their beauty.
My little ones believe that they are French… the youngest one arrived here with only 11 months while my little Princess was already 3 years old. They love it here. We have travelled a lot and never mind how much fun they have elsewhere, like me, they always want to come back here. Argenton might not have an exciting night life or and exuberance of cultural and entertaining activities like many big towns and cities, but it has become OUR town. The place that we love and now we call home.
Argenton Sur Creuse
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Argenton Sur Creuse a bit of history
Argenton Sur Creuse has a long history; it succeeded the gallo-roman town of Argentomagus.
During the middle ages, a huge fortress with ten towers was built at the top of the hill over 2 hectares of rocky land overlooking the Creuse valley. It is a shame that nowadays due to several sieges and political intrigues only very little is left from the fortress. You’ll need to pay close attention to be able to see two of its towers left standing.
I always stand in disbelieve when I read that it was under the reign of Louis XIII in 1632 that Richeliu ordered to dismantle what was left of the fortress!
Argenton during the Middle ages
La Bonne Dame overlooking Argenton Sur Creuse
La Bonne Dame
Wherever you are in Argenton you can see the Bonne Dame overlooking the town. This golden copper image is said to protect the town.
The Chapel
There are documents claiming that the Bonne Dame chapel was built in 1458 as part of the fortress. In 1631 when the fortress was destroyed for fear of becoming a resistance fortress against the king, the chapel was left intact. In 1632 when Argenton was badly hit by the pest, the cult and pilgrimage to the virgin started.
Chapel de Notre Dame
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Esplanade de la Bonne Dame
From here you can admire the whole town, its landscape and houses. Admire the green hills on a sunny day and you will understand why Argenton Sur Creuse has been of inspiration to so many famous French writers.
Argenton Sur Creuse seen from the Bonne Dame
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The Creuse River
Sometimes slow and gentle, sometimes wild and overflowing through the locks. The town has been severely flooded several times, but it never gets angry against its river. The Argentonaises know that the river Creuse has always been a source of richness to the region. During the 19th century, the town’s main economic activities centred around the river: tanneries, mills, butcheries, etc. Nowadays, the Creuse is one of Argenton’s main tourist attractions.
The River Creuse
Some years flooding has been severe
Bridges of Argenton
The Old Bridge dates back to the 15th century when the low part of the town was extended to the right bank of the river Creuse.
Bridges over the Creuse River
The Mills on the Creuse River: From as early as the 13th century the Creuse River has served to power mills.
The Duperthuis Mansion: A lovely 15th and 16th century mansion is remarkable for its circular tower on the façade.
Argenton Sur Creuse
Where is Argenton Sur Creuse
To give you a rough idea of where Argenton is I can say that we are about 90 km from Limoges, the nearest International airport. If you are coming to Argenton by road or train, we are at roughly 300 km south of Paris. There are several daily trains connecting Argenton with main French cities such as Paris and Toulouse. If you take a direct train from Paris to Argenton, you can be here in only 2 hours 15min.
The Most Beautiful Villages of France
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Argenton Sur Creuse
Argenton Sur Creuse - Argenton's Sur Creuse Comercial Centre
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Where to eat in Argenton Sur Creuse?
- Restaurants in Argenton Sur Creuse
Argenton's lively streets lead you to a dynamic town centre where you can find a wide variety of restaurants in a very small area. French,Marrocan, Chinese and Italian restaurants, take-aways...
For more original photos of Argenton Sur Creuse you can visit My unedited life in France
- My unedited life in France: Argenton Sur Creuse In Pictures
Here you will find more original photos of Argenton Sur Creuse. Enjoy!
More typical French Villages and towns
- THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN FRANCE
This are some of the most beautiful small towns and villages in France. - Saint Gaultier, visiting France
"Saint Gaultier, is a small village on the banks of the river Creuse. It was one of many fortified villages in France. In the town centre, among relatively new buildings, the village has many ancient towers and streets dating back to 1500." - French Villages: La Souterraine and Fromental
Visit the church dating from the 11th century. Also to be seen The Château de Fromental, a fortified manoir dating back to the 14th century.
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Another great hub with pictures of the French countryside. I like the one showing the water level during the flood of 1845.
Pamela: I am sure you would love to visit Argenton, like most small towns in France it is very picturesqe.
SweetiePie: It is amazing the number of times the town has been flooded. About 3 years ago we had the water levels coming all the way to our door -and we are 3 blocks away from the river!
Great photo gallery! There are many beautiful places in France, and Argenton is definitely one of them :) It would be nice to visit the place some day. Sorry to hear about the floods.
Simply stunning photographs! I love France, and its been quite a while since I've been to the country. I love the charm and history you've describe in Argenton Sur Creuse. Best, Steph
What a charming town! You had me at patisseries and nearby cheese farms... these beautiful pictures only make me want to go there MORE!!! Well, at least you've offered this lovely photographic tour to those who can't immediately hop on a plane. Thank you!
What excellent photos - the first one is absolutely stunning!
The hub shows how beautiful the French is and that Paris is not all she can give:).
People usually melt at the mention of Paris, but this is evidence that the whole French is romantic, every place is beautiful in its own way.
I did not mean French but France,silly me:):):).I should first drink a coffee in the morning to wake myself up:)
What a lovely town you've painted with your pictures!
I can understand why you love it so, I would too.Beautiful pictures.vote up and across.
Great pictures... if the pictures are so beautiful, I can't imagine how beautiful the town is in reality... You can read my squidoo lens on stock photography here...
France is so beautiful. It has the most beautiful towns, probably the most beautiful I've ever visited. I lived in a town called Laval in the Loire Valley for 8 months and that was stunning too. But I've never been back to France since then and that was about 13 years ago. Your hub has made me think I must go back sometime soon. I loved the pictures in your hub.
Your love of this town comes shining through in this wonderful pictorial and brief history of Argenton Sur Cruese. Congratulations on Hub of the Day. Voted up across the board except for funny.
Stunning, beautiful France, no words to express Just fantastic pictures voted up best wishes
So jealous. I lived in France for a year, quite some time ago now, and still miss it. Your pictures reminded me why.
Congratulations on being the Hub of the Day! Your photos are breathtaking, and the history you share is amazing. Thanks so much. I hope to visit France one day, and I will be sure to check this place out.
This hub is wonderful! Love how you put it all together. The picyures are beautiful. I can understand why you love it there. Voted up, awesome and beautiful!
What awesome pictures! Wow! I especially liked the ones where the reflections showed in the water. And I liked the one that showed the remains of a tower.
This is such beautiful countryside to live in. You are blessed.
Congratulations on being hub of the day.
I really needed this today. Thank you so much.
Voted up. Good hub. I think there is 'Argenton' and 'Argentan', one in the South and one in Normandy. I think this one is in the South, right? 'Creuse' must be the river which gives the name to the French department in which it is situated. There is so much to see in France, anyway.
How lucky you are to live in such a quaint town with so much history. I loved the photos which tell the story of it's beauty and history. How I would love to tour in France and maybe I will be one day as my friend in Switzerland has just bought a little cottage in the country side. Should I be invited to visit her there I will no doubt tour around and may see your town too.
Thanks for your effort to share the history!
How picturesque, I'd love to visit someday, great pictures!
Wonderful hub, gorgeous pictures, lucky you to live in such a place.
What a beautiful town- I can see why you stayed! I was so close to there this summer so I will have to make a point to visit next summer. I also want to visit the book fair in Montmorillon someday!
So picturesque! I love the beautiful, old French villages.
They truly are like another world, another time. Your photos are stunning, makes me want to pack my bags!
awesome photos! beautiful architecture!
What a gorgeous place to visit - I absolutely love the pictures and the narrative! The still river is amazing - so reflective, it looks like a mirror. What a great hub!
I felt as if I was traveling without leaving my house. Super photos, thanks for a great visual experience!
Yes to all the lovely comments already given--such charming photos in a well done hub. Congratulations on an awesome Hub of the Day. Thanks for sharing "your" town! Voted up!
Very beautiful hub! You really bring French cities, towns, and villages to life with your photography. Argenton Sur Creuse looks absolutely amazing, I might have to make my way out there someday.
Great topic for a hub! Your photos are beautiful. I love the personal touch that you add to this topic, too. Congrats on getting Hub of the Day!
great job and very beautiful pictures, amazing town.
i don't like french but as the stunning photos posted on your hub inviting me to visit this place. It's very beautiful and unique town. Interesting and Vote up!!
Wow, what a surprise to find this hub as a "Hub of the day" Thank you for all your comments and support.
Beautiful! You have done a very wonderful job collecting these awesome photos. What an interesting hub.
Wow, I want to visit now! There's so much great information here, you've done a really great job--- Amanda
Pamela99 Level 7 Commenter 6 months ago
I love the pictures of the unique buildings and the town. I would love to visit. I enjoyed your hub.