Just 15 minutes from the lake is the beautiful town of La Charité-sur-Loire. Surrounded by ramparts and standing beside the Loire river, this medieval town is famous for its Clunisian priory. Founded in 1059, this Benedictine monastery — part of the Order of Cluny — is a remarkable example of Burgundian Romanesque art, along with its church, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Way of St James.
Many relics remain from its past as a major monastic town. Around the priory you can enjoy a walk to admire the attractions of the historical quarter: picturesque side streets, passages and flights of steps, medieval ramparts, and various shops devoted to the world of books. Bookshops, book dealers, calligraphers, illuminators and binders make La Charité-sur-Loire a real book town — an ideal destination for lovers of reading.
Several book-related events take place every year: the Festival of Words in June, the old book and document fair in July, Book Night in August, and a book market on the third Sunday of each month between October and March.
