Nevers Hotels

Nevers is a town in Nievre. The incorrupt body of Sainte Bernadette rests here enshrined since 1925 in a glass and bronze casket at the chapel of the convent church of St Gildard at Nevers. The church is runned by the Sisters of Charity of Nevers and is located at Espace Bernadette 34 Rue Saint-Gildard. The visit to Nevers is recommended as a natural follow-up to the pilgrimage to Lourdes in southern France. Here there is a replica of the Grotto of Massabielle, where Bernadette saw the 18 Apparitions of Mother Mary. After the Apparitions in Lourdes in 1858, Bernadette Soubirous joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in 1866. She lived there until her death. Finally, a museum retraces the Saint's life amongst the Congrégation des Soeurs de la Charité de Nevers. Opening times for Espace Bernadette: From November to March from 7.30am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm. From April to October from 7am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 7.30pm. Masses: In French every day at 11.30am; Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8am; Sundays at 10am. Mass in other languages are available upon request. Some 500 meters from Rue Saint-Gildard is Place Carnot. This is the centre of the town where the nearby attractions are 17th century Baroque Sainte-Marie chapel and the 15th century Palais Ducal, the latter of which claims to be the earliest Loire chateau, with its stone carved Renaissance façade and octagonal turrets. The chapelle Sainte Marie, built during the first half of the 17th century, is the only remaining part of the former Couvent des Visitandines. You can't visit the building's interior but you will certainly be both fascinated and surprised by its extraordinary Baroque-style façade, which is unique in the Nevers region. The Palais ducal was the home of the Counts and Dukes of Nevers.