Wine tourism,

Sancerre is one of the Loire Valley’s most iconic wine appellations. But to truly understand a wine, you must first understand the land and the people who bring it to life. The Bourgeois family invites you to explore their vineyards, cellars, and dining table for a unique wine tourism experience in the heart of Berry.

Wine tourism refers to all tourist activities centered around wine, its region, and its culture. In Sancerre, it takes on a special character: the vineyards cover unique, rolling, and lush terroirs between the villages of Chavignol, Bué, and Sancerre, which are home to a centuries-old winemaking heritage.

At Domaine Henri Bourgeois, wine tourism is a philosophy: we welcome you to Chavignol, at the heart of a winemaking family that has been based in Sancerre since 1696. Discovering the Bourgeois family, the estate, and its wines, dining at our restaurant, or even staying right in the middle of the vineyards—that’s what our wine tourism experience has to offer.

Introductory Tasting (45 min)

Between 4 and 6 wines depending on your tasting capacity, an introduction to the terroirs of Sancerre—ideal for first-time visitors or those with limited time.
Available without an appointment. This tasting is courtesy of the Bourgeois family.

In-Depth Tour and Tasting (1 hour 15 minutes)

Vineyard tour + cellar tour + tasting of 6 to 8 wines. Recommended for wine enthusiasts who want to truly understand the appellation. Online reservations required.
Up to 15 people per tour slot.

Private Tour and Tasting (upon request)

A tour of our historic cellar, a seated tasting by candlelight in our cellars… we offer year-round packages for groups of 6 or more for an exclusive experience.

Customized Experiences (upon request)

Vertical tastings (multiple vintages of the same cuvée), dinner in the cellar, professional seminars: we create customized experiences for groups and professionals.

Want to extend the experience at the table? Discover our menus and their food-and-wine pairings at the restaurant “La Côte des Monts Damnés.”

Extend your experience at the Hôtel Famille Bourgeois in Chavignol. With its 12 air-conditioned rooms, our charming hotel lets you wake up surrounded by vineyards, just a stone’s throw from the estate.

The winemaker’s restaurant “La Côte des Monts Damnés” invites you to discover the cuisine of the Berry region, paired with wines from Domaine Henri Bourgeois.

Wine tourism doesn’t stop at the estate’s gates. The Sancerre region can also be explored on foot, by bike, on the water, and in the neighboring villages.

On foot, through the vineyards

The Sancerre region is perfect for day-long hikes as well as short loops starting from Chavignol. The vineyard loop (4 km, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from our estate) crosses the appellation’s three terroirs and climbs to a panoramic view of the Loire; the GR 31, a long-distance hiking trail through the vineyards, connects Chavignol, Bué, and Verdigny.

By Bike

The Sancerre region can also be explored by bike, with rolling roads through the vineyards and the “La Loire à Vélo” (EuroVelo 6) route running at the foot of the vineyards.

Chavignol is a good starting point for combining a short loop through the vineyards with a section of the riverside bike route.

On the Water, on the Loire The Loire

Western Europe’s last great wild river, is unimpeded by any dams between the Ardèche and the Atlantic. A canoe or kayak trip starting in Sancerre lets you explore its sandy banks and side channels, far from any roads.

The Village of Sancerre and Its Viewpoints

Perched on its rocky outcrop, Sancerre has retained the silhouette of a medieval village: cobblestone streets, stone houses, an ancient keep (the Tour des Fiefs), and ramparts overlooking the valley. It is also from these heights that you’ll find some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the vineyards and the Loire River below.

Chavignol, the village of Crottin

Three kilometers from the town of Sancerre, Chavignol is the village where we have been based since 1696. It gave its name to one of France’s best-known goat cheeses, the Crottin de Chavignol AOC, and is home to some of the steepest vineyards in the appellation.

The estate is located in Chavignol, 3 km from Sancerre (Cher, 18). It is less than 2 hours from Paris via the A77, or 30 minutes from Bourges. The Cosne-sur-Loire train station is 20 km away.