Wine tourism

The Sancerre region is an exceptional playground for cyclists. Its winding roads between vineyards and valleys, its climbs on the clay-limestone hills, and its position on one of Europe's greatest cycling routes make it a prime destination for cycle tourism.

Whether you're arriving via La Loire à Vélo or you want to explore from Chavignol, here are the routes we recommend—and everything you need to know to organize your cycling trip in the Sancerre region.

The Loire à Vélo (EuroVelo 6) is one of Europe's most iconic cycle routes: 900 km from Cuffy (Nièvre) to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Loire-Atlantique), fully signposted and mostly on safe dedicated cycle paths. The Sancerre region is located on the Centre-Loire section, between Cosne-sur-Loire and Bourges.

The Sancerre stage corresponds to the section between the commune of Bannay (to the north, on the right bank of the Loire) and Saint-Satur/Saint-Thibault, at the confluence of the lateral canal to the Loire. It is one of the most visually striking stages of the route: the view of the Sancerre hillsides from the bank of the Loire is photographed by thousands of cyclists every year.

Distance of the Cosne–Sancerre–Bourges stage: approximately 80 km. Difficulty: moderate (flat terrain in the valley bottom, a few climbs if you go up towards Sancerre or Chavignol off the main route).

For cyclists who want to leave the plain and venture into the vineyards, the climb from Saint-Satur or Sancerre-Basse towards Chavignol is a must. In 3 km from Saint-Satur, you gain 180 m of elevation through the vineyards — with gradients reaching 12% in the steepest sections above Chavignol. A short but demanding climb, which rewards you with an exceptional panorama of the Sancerre hill and the village rooftops.

At the summit, Domaine Henri Bourgeois welcomes cyclists for a recovery tasting — this has been our tradition since La Loire à Vélo popularized visiting the Sancerre region. We provide fresh water and a shady spot for bikes.

For cyclists staying in Chavignol who wish to explore the Sancerre vineyard in depth, we recommend this 30 km loop that crosses the main villages of the appellation.

Level: intermediate. Cumulative elevation gain: approximately 450 m. Surface: mostly road, some paved sections between the vineyards.

For families with children or cyclists who prefer flat terrain, the Loire banks between Saint-Satur and Cosne-sur-Loire offer a fully cycleable route on dedicated or low-traffic paths. The Saint-Satur–Cosne round trip (25 km) runs along the Canal latéral à la Loire with constant views of the river. Loire wildlife, sandy beaches, and picnic spots on the banks are available.