Eight main streets radiate out from a central square: Henrichemont’s unusual town plan tells the story of a town that was planned from the outset. Alongside this history, the ceramic tradition of the hamlet of La Borne shapes the area. Mountain-bike circuits add a seasonal activity to its cultural attractions. You can tailor your stay to the interests that appeal to you most.
A New Town with a Clear Layout
Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, founded Henrichemont in 1609 with the aim of making it the capital of the sovereign principality of Boisbelle. The original plan was laid out like a compass rose: eight main streets radiate from the central square. Henrichemont is considered a rare example of an ideal 17th-century new town. Its design combines symmetry, moats, ramparts and bastions with architectural aesthetics. The town offers a distinctive blend of the political vision behind its founding and geometric order.
One tangible landmark is the Maison dite de Sully, which is partly listed as a historic monument. It is the only one of the pavilions at the ends of the four main streets to retain elements of its original furnishings. The studio and kiln of Vassil Ivanoff in La Borne are also included in the supplementary register of historic monuments. These sites offer distinct points of connection with the history of Henrichemont and its surroundings.
La Borne and the Ceramic Tradition
The hamlet of La Borne lies partly in Henrichemont and partly in Morogues. Written records show that pottery has been made there since the 16th century. Traditional production includes stoneware household items. Folk imagery is also part of this tradition and is highly sought after by collectors. Alongside the rigorously planned town layout, there is a history of craftsmanship, materials and ceramic motifs.
The Musée de La Borne is housed in the Chapelle St Jean Baptiste and is dedicated to traditional pottery. The chapel is in the heart of the pottery village; the museum displays a remarkable collection of ceramics dating from the 18th to the 20th century. The workshops and pottery kilns of La Borne in La Borne-d’en-Bas, Henrichemont, are partly listed as protected heritage sites.
The Centre Céramique Contemporaine La Borne offers a different focus, presenting works by local, French and international artists. It is also a permanent exhibition venue for ACLB members and hosts temporary exhibitions by invited artists and ceramicists. In workshops, you can learn about clay-working techniques. Traditional pottery, collection pieces and contemporary exhibitions therefore offer different ways to explore ceramics.
Plan Events and Activities
Les Grands Feux is an annual event in La Borne. Wood-fired kilns are loaded, fired and emptied in public. If this communal firing is a highlight of your visit, check the event date for your travel dates. Guided tours of Henrichemont are available on request, so plan to enquire in advance.
For a different kind of outing, the VRR-FFC Hautes Terres Vives en Berry area offers a free guide to mountain-bike routes. Eleven signposted circular routes are open from mid-March to mid-October. If you’d like to include cycling, you can plan your trip around this opening period and use the guide to help choose a route.
At Étang du Petit-Bois
On the outskirts of Henrichemont, in the direction of Les Aix d’Angillon, lies Étang du Petit-Bois. You can picnic and fish there. There are also play facilities for children, as well as tables and benches. The Étang thus complements the town’s history and ceramic attractions with a place to picnic and fish.
Discover More Destinations
Le Subdray, Massay, Thaumiers, Bannegon, Herry, Neuvy-Le-Barrois, Thauvenay, Vouzeron
For the overview of the wider area: Cher.
