Le Bourges Tango

The Bourges Tango is much more than a basketball club: it's an institution that embodies the sporting fervor of the Berry region. Founded in 1967 as CJMB Bourges, the women's club has risen through the ranks to become a benchmark in Europe. With 14 French championship titles and 3 Euroleague victories (1997, 1998, 2001), the Tango have left their mark on the history of French basketball. Led by legendary players such as Cathy Melain and Céline Dumerc, they attracted thousands of fans to the Palais des Sports du Prado, a vibrant 5,000-seat arena. Today, under the guidance of ambitious coaches and with a squad combining youth and experience, the club remains competitive in the Ligue Féminine and in European competitions. Bourges Tango is also a symbol of inclusion and local dynamism, with initiatives for young people and a mascot, Jord'Ane, who livens up matches. A pride of the region that transcends borders and promises lively evenings.

La Berrichonne de Châteauroux

In Châteauroux, soccer pulsates to the rhythm of La Berrichonne, a historic club founded in 1883 and one of the oldest in France. Nicknamed "La Berri", the team now plays in the National (3rd division), but its past tells of a more glorious epic with forays into Ligue 1 (1997-1998) and a French Cup final in 2004, lost to PSG. The 17,000-capacity Stade Gaston-Petit is still the stage for the hopes of Castelroussin fans. Despite a few up-and-down seasons, La Berri is banking on its training to bounce back, with a center that has seen the emergence of talents such as Joachim Kayi-Sanda. The club embodies the fighting spirit of Berry, supported by a loyal community and matches that electrify the town. Between nostalgia and ambition, La Berrichonne continues to write its history.

The Predators of Vierzon

Vierzon has made a name for itself in roller-hockey with the Prédateurs, a club that is shaking up the Elite fields. Founded in 1996, this collective combines speed, technique and team spirit, attracting a growing following. The Prédateurs shone with a rise to the elite in 2018-2019 and memorable finals, such as the 2020 final against Reims. Still a little-known discipline, roller-hockey combines the intensity of ice hockey with the accessibility of roller-skating, without the constraints of a frozen rink. In Vierzon, the club doesn't just perform: it also trains youngsters and organizes events to popularize the sport. Les Prédateurs are a showcase for Berry's sporting diversity, proving that small towns can shine in original disciplines. The Roller Club de Bourges and its field hockey team are also worth a mention. The club has climbed to National 1 thanks to the recruitment of international players.

CREPS Bourges

Located in Bourges, the Centre de Ressources, d'Expertise et de Performance Sportive (CREPS) du Centre-Val de Loire is a national benchmark for top-level sport. The 13-hectare complex is home to athletes from a wide range of disciplines, including fencing, basketball, judo, swimming and modern pentathlon. A member of the Grand INSEP network, it offers modern facilities (gymnasiums, athletics tracks, bicross track) and personalized support for athletes aiming for Olympic or Paralympic podiums. In 2024, the CREPS merged with the Maison régionale de la performance, reinforcing its role in detecting and monitoring regional talent. It also hosts national training camps, such as those for the French fencing team, and major events, such as the elite national sabre circuit. A pillar of sport in the Berry region, combining excellence and innovation. Thanks to the town of Bourges and its youth department, numerous training courses are organized at the center, giving many young people in the area access to its facilities.

Berry on foot

Berry is a hiker's paradise, with its unspoilt landscapes and varied trails. Sologne berrichonne, around Vierzon, offers walks through forests and ponds, where deer and birds punctuate the trails. Further south, the Boischaut region reveals gentle hills and picturesque villages, such as Nohant, associated with George Sand. The GR 654, part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, passes through Bourges and its marshes, a unique ecosystem to explore. With hundreds of signposted kilometers, such as the loops around the Brenne and its thousand ponds, Berry is an invitation to slow discovery, between wild nature and heritage. Accessible to all levels, hikes can be enjoyed solo or with the family, with local guides to reveal the secrets of this authentic land.

Cyclotourism

Cycle tourism reigns supreme in Berry, supported by two emblematic itineraries: the Canal de Berry à Vélo and the Loire à Vélo. The former rehabilitates a former waterway decommissioned in 1955, and today offers a soothing route along the canal. In the Cher department, it stretches for around 100 km, from Plaimpied-Givaudins to Thénioux via Bourges and Mehun-sur-Yèvre, on a flat, often shaded route, ideal for leisurely strolls. (Eventually, this itinerary, part of the Coeur de France à Vélo cycle route, aims to link Tours to Montluçon over 330 km.) The riverbanks reveal Romanesque abbeys, renovated quays and verdant spots, attracting an average of 130,000 cyclists a year on existing sections. The Loire à Vélo, meanwhile, starts in Cuffy (kilometer 0) and winds 107 km through the Cher, linking such nuggets as Apremont-sur-Allier and Sancerre, between renowned vineyards and panoramic views of the royal river. With almost 90,000 cyclists expected in 2023 in the Cher (and an overall figure approaching 2 million for the entire Loire à Vélo route), these cycle routes have established Berry as a major cycling destination. Local initiatives, supported by associations such as Mon Cher Vélo, are boosting this momentum by promoting everyday cycling. What's next? Extend the Canal de Berry à Vélo as far as Marseilles-lès-Aubigny to join the Loire à Vélo by 2026. An ambitious challenge that promises to further boost the region and its booming tourism industry.

Elegance and Tradition

Golf and horse-riding complete the Berry region's leisure activities with a touch of elegance. The Golf de Bourges, 10 minutes from the city center, offers an 18-hole course in a verdant setting, accessible to beginners and advanced players alike. In Nançay, the Golf des Sarrays features a technical layout and views over the Sologne. On the horse-riding front, Berry is famous for its equestrian centers, such as Lignières, where forest rides and regional competitions punctuate the year. The equestrian tradition is rooted in a region once prized by hunting kings, with stud farms and bridle paths in the Boischaut or near the Loire. Fishing is also very popular. With its lakes and rivers, Berry is a popular spot for carp and pike. These activities, combining sport and contemplation, attract locals and visitors in search of refined relaxation.

Bourges, the old skate capital

How can we talk about Berry without mentioning the golden age of skateboarding in France, with Bourges spearheading the movement? In the 1980s, the town established itself as a world leader thanks to the Skate Camps organized by Les Berrichons Associés. As early as 1985, these summer courses, set up near the Palais des Sports du Prado, attracted international stars, including a young Tony Hawk, not yet of age, who perfected his tricks on a giant wooden ramp built by the locals. Considered one of the best in Europe at the time, this structure made a lasting impression and propelled Bourges to the rank of skate capital for four years. Professionals and amateurs crossed paths in a unique creative effervescence. After decades of calm, skateboarding is reborn in 2019 with the inauguration of the Arthur Noyer skatepark in Val d'Auron. This modern spot, with its enviable bowl and dedicated to the memory of the tragically deceased Corporal Noyer, is bringing new life to the local scene. The momentum accelerated in 2023 with the creation of the Berry Skateboard Club, spearheaded by regional skateboarding icon Quentin Dubeau, who revived the legacy while charting a promising future. The Châteauroux skatepark, inaugurated in 2017, completes the Berry offer with its varied modules combining street, bowls and quarters.