La Bourbonnais- Visit to the towns of Moulins and Montluçon

The area of the Bourbonnais in the northern Auvergne has been on my list of places to see.   Moulins lies on the banks of the River Allier and is the charming once capitol of the dukes of Bourbon.  Bourbon lands first appeared in history books in the early 10th century but it took more than three centuries for its lords and, later counts of Bourbon to rival its powerful neighbors of Berry and Burgundy.  The Bourbons achieved their aim by taking advantage of their geographical location between the Kingdom of France and the duchies of Auvergne and Aquitaine, placing their troops in the service of the crown.  This alliance and the marriage of Béatrice de Bourbon to Robert, Count of Clermont, St. Louis' sixth child, in 1265 aided in building a vast State and led to eight Bourbons becoming King of France.

We visited the the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, famous for its stained glass windows,  and walked down to the town square.  Just as we were admiring the town's belfry, known as the Jacquemart, we heard a band playing and saw a colorful parade coming toward us making their way towards the town hall .  We also visited the town Montluçon.  It is best known for the Bourbon castle,  Château de Montluçon, built during the Hundred Years' War.

   The Bourbonnais countryside is beautiful, particularly in early spring.  The trees were blossoming and the Charolais cattle were grazing peacefully in the fields.