The historical capital of Bourbonnais and the prefecture of the department of Allier, the town of art and history of Moulins offers lovers of architectural and cultural heritage a beautiful legacy, a reminder of its glorious past as the former duchy of the Bourbon family.
There are many attractions to discover: the Cathedral of Our Lady, with its splendid triptych by the Master of Moulins, depicting the coronation of the Virgin, and its superb stained glass windows from the 15th and 16th centuries; the keep of Mal Coiffée, a relic of the old ducal castle; the 15th-century belfry, topped with a bell-striker; the old houses of the historic centre, some of which are adorned with timber frames; the Renaissance house of Anne de Beaujeu dating from the 15th and 16th centuries... A relic of the ducal palace, the latter is home to the Anne de Beaujeu Museum, famous for its remarkable collections of archaeology, medieval sculptures, Flemish, German and Austrian paintings, and academic paintings from the 19th century. See: https://www.france-voyage.com/tourism/anne-beaujeu-museum-2597.htm
Other sites to visit include the Bourbonnais Museum, with its local history collections, costumes and jobs of yesteryear; the National Stage Costume Centre, based in the building of an old cavalry regiment, containing no fewer than 9,000 costumes, accessories and stage sets! https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-national-center-for-stage-costume/igISQR0RHXWAKA
Coco Chanel, fashion designer, started as a cabaret singer here.
