Nevers
The old Capital of the Nivernais
Nevers is the Prefecture of the Nièvre Département and the former capital of the Nivernais region. It stands proudly on the River Loire not far from its confluence with the River Allier only a short distance to the west at le Bec d’Allier. The city is famous for its pottery and spun glass due to the Duke of Nevers, Luigi di Gonzaga, importing Italian potters, enamel artists and specialists in spun glass during the sixteenth century.
Used by Caesar as a storage facility for his army when fighting the Gauls, the city enters history again during the early Middle Ages with the construction of the Cathedral of St-Cyr and Ste-Julitte in a variety of architectural styles. The old town and the vast bulk of the Basilica is best seen from across the Loire.