Pouilly-sur-Loire / Couargues / Sancerre

This is a short, easy Loire à Vélo stage, encouraging you to enter Sancerre’s glorious hilly countryside and taste its famed wines. Here you can mix cycling with gastronomy and oenology, of course making sure you drink in moderation! A detour up to the historic town of Sancerre itself is highly recommended.

Route

Take care crossing the bridge over the Loire at Pouilly. Otherwise, there are no difficulties on this stage, unless you are bold enough to take on the steep route up to the town of Sancerre.

Link

There are two ways up to the town of Sancerre: via the lower town of St-Satur, going via the old viaduct; or via a greenway signposted from the Canal Latéral à la Loire to the north of St-Satur (coming from the direction of Briare).

Don’t miss

Couargues: the Val de Loire Nature Reserve, with unspoilt islands and guided tours possible
Ménétréol: with a port on the canal, plus the îles de la Gargaude islands
St-Satur: a lively little town beside the Loire, with its attractive St-Thibault marina, St Guinefort Church and a pretty viaduct (leading up to Sancerre)
Sancerre: a beautiful, vine-surrounded medieval hilltop town with glorious views, especially from the historic Caesar’s Gateway and the Tour des Fiefs tower, plus wine museum, cellars and shops.

Market

Sancerre : Tuesday and Saturday morning