Nevers is a town located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in central France.
Nevers developed during Gallo-Roman times on a hill overlooking the river Loire. In the 5th century it became an important monastic centre.
The city is most famous for Bernadette Soubirous who at the age of 14 years old had the Virgin Mary appear to her. A series of 18 apparitions changed her life forever and made her the bearer of the message of Lourdes.
Bernadette Soubirous joined the Mother House in Nevers also known as Saint Gildart in 1866 and never left. She died on the 8th December 1933 and was canonised and then declared a saint.
The international pilgrimage of Saint Bernadette maintains Nevers' religious tradition as a shrine. The body of Bernadette Soubirous rests in Saint-Gildard's convent chapel.
The cathedral of Saint Cyr Sainte Juliette located right by the dominique square, the monument is an unusual combination of two buildings in different styles : one is Romanesque (11th century), the other Gothic (14th century). It also possesses two apses which is rather rare.
In the 1960s, the Bishop's wish to create a place of worship in the northern suburb of Nevers resulted in the construction of the Church of Sainte Bernadette of BanlayIt was listed as an Historical Monument in 2000. Although the harshness of the building's exterior is surprising, the interior is very soft owing to the predominance of curves and light streaming down from the arched roof.
There are many important churches and chapels to visit in the city, and there is also a tour circuit, this is free for everyone by following the blue lines to discover the rich heritage. There are two loops tours for different districts.