palais jacques-coeur

Interesting view into the past. Try to get the guided tour as you'll learn much more than is in the pamphlet.

I knew little about Jacques-Coeur before my visit and so I was fascinated by the detail (both written and architectural) available on this visit. Well worth the entry fee.

The financial advisor to the French King, Coeur built a fantastic townhouse arranged around a large courtyard. Most of the rooms are either not furnished, or sparsely furnished, but the interior decorations are spectacular and a number of the fireplaces and doorways are the most ornate I have ever seen, with countless rows of figures, monkeys and other animals etc . Well worth a visit or a detour if you are staying in the area.

This is a magnificent chateau, yet located in the old section of the city. The carved details are fantastic, as are the mantles and fireplaces. You can visualize the people dancing and eating inside the chateau. As others have mentioned, there is no furniture, but I don't think it needs it. There are explanatory panels, so I'm not sure what one of the critics is talking about. I also carry my green Michelin guide with me that explains the various rooms.The only drawback for me was the number of circular stairs that one had to go up and down. With a bad knee, I didn't think they would ever end. There is also a nice bookshop with lots of books about life in medieval times and medieval churches and chateaux. This palace does give you a glimpse of what life must have been like hundreds of years ago.

While we agree that Palais Jacques-Coeur can be considered a little dull due to the rooms being empty of furniture, we found the paper guide in English very helpful in following the history of this architecturally beautiful building. Jacques-Coeur's attention to the architectural details in the stonework, both on the exterior and the interior of his private and much loved home, is well worth seeing...stop and look!

While I don't feel comfortable standing against the stream of positive opinion about this palace, I must admit to being distinctly unimpressed. After laying out 7.50 Euros, I was disappointed (1) by the fact that the rooms were all unfurnished, (2) by the absence of useful explanatory panels or captions, (3) by the evidence throughout of alteration and ruination (almost every stained glass window has been replaced by clear glass; many of the fireplaces are 19th century; almost every floor is modern. So many more interested buildings are open to view, displaying paintings, libraries, furnishings, tapestries, carpets and such like that this Palais seemed austere, bare and cold. Pretty well worthless without a guide; with a guide, perhaps a 30 minute stop is worthwhile.

Going for the guided tour changes everything. This is a pretty building but, apart from one or two rooms like the chapel, is quite empty. However the tour guides fill you in on the local history which makes for a very good visit. I especially liked the ceilings which are shaped like boats - Jacques Coeur made his money in the shipping business!

Do not miss the beautiful internal coutyard and if you have time the museum. One of the highlights of Bourges.

Its is a nice palace to visit in the city of Bourges. No furniture. just empty spaces. Quite old interior ( XVII century?). Does not worth a detour from a faraway place.

This building is nice even if the internal decoration is pretty limited. It get a special value if the visit is associated to the story of the proprietary and of its construction. Follow a guided tour or, as a minimum, read the free leaflet.

Well set out self-guided tour of this lovely building ... different language notes to help as you walk around ... shame there is little period furniture, but you can't have everything ...

Jacques-Coeur was a famous merchant, extremely wealthy and built the most remarkable palace. It is certainly well worth a visit. Take your time as there is so much detail to take in. You must have a camera. The carved sculptures both large and small are exquisite as is the decor and plan of the palace itself.

Beautiful palace built by the hometown guy. My extended stay in Bourges allowed me to visit inside more than once. Lovely détail inside and out and you should not miss the interesting dusk les nuits lumière Bourges.

This building is full of surprises in the small detailed carvings which decorate the stone work. It is hard to tell how much restoration has been done but I am sure that if the carvings have been replaced they are accurate copies of the originals with all their foibles.

When the Palais Jacques-Coeur was built at the end of the middle ages, it was almost unthinkable that a non-royal would amass enough wealth to build such a structure in his home town. There hae been some modern bankers who have been brought down to earth, but none who have left such a legacy from their time as masters of the universe.