If you've time...
If you've the time, here are a few more ideas for your stay. While Sancerre is on the West bank of the river Loire, in the Cher, just a short drive or cycle across the river takes you to the department of the Nièvre where you can find the wines of the Pouilly appellation and panoramic views from the Belvedere Tower at Saint Andelain.
Also visit Bourges, the Cher department's administrative centre, and the closer towns of La Charité-sur-Loire and Cosne-sur-Loire.
But before we go anywhere, let's look a bit closer at the geography of the area.
Below, to the left, we have a map of the general area with the tourist office in Sancerre marked in red. As I mentioned above, Sancerre is on the left, or west bank, of the river Loire that flows northwards. Parallel to the Loire is the Canal Latéral à Loire, a 196km-long canal from Digoin in the south, to Briare. You can read much more about the canal here. Furthermore, a cycle route 'la Loire à Vélo' connects Nevers further south to Cosne-sur-Loire 15 km north of Sancerre intertwining with the river and the canal on its way. This means you can travel around the areas I cover below, very easily and safely by bicycle.
NB if you click on the plan of the canal on the right, it takes you to the blog of a German travelling family who document their visit to the region, in German and English.
Northwards
Cosne-sur-Loire, Nièvre - 15km
Market days: Sunday and Wednesday
Also known as Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, Cosne-sur-Loire is the main SNCF station into Sancerre from Bercy station in Paris, but further away than Tracy-Sancerre where trains from Paris stop less frequently. That is to say that the train to Nevers from Paris always stops here, but less frequently at Tracy-Sancerre.
This is an unassuming town of 10,000 habitants that is growing and attracting the larger national retailers. However, the centre is not going to get any bigger and, whatever happens, it will retain its character with the lovely Eden Cinema, a school for performing arts. superb views across the Loire and an eclectic range of independent shops.
Visit on a Sunday to take in the relaxed market atmosphere, and watch the world go around from bar BHv.
Eastwards
If you have a morning free, here's a really nice way to use your time.
Visit the Belvédère tower in Saint Andelain (entry costs 2 euros by card) and take in the view across the Loire. Then drop back down the road to visit Château de Nozet the home of the de Ladoucette domain of Pouilly Fumé wines. It's a beautiful mid 19th century neo-Renaissance château originally dating back to the 13th century originally. Perhaps pick up a bottle or two of wine, but save some time, and money, for Pouilly-sur-Loire village itself, 5 minutes from Château de Nozay.
Le belvédère, Saint Andelain, Nièvre - 15km
Standing around 20m high, le Belvédère viewing tower is a former windmill used in the 19th Century to power the mixing of clay dug from deposits in the area in order to make roofing tiles.
Today, it's a viewing tower serving up panoramic views over Pouilly, the Loire and across to Sancerre. When I first found out about it, I learned that it overlooks 24 church towers (but I can no longer find that information).
It's also an exhibition depicting the tower's use in the nearly two centuries of its existence.
Access: by turnstile using a 4-digit pin that you receive at the payment station at the entrance. Payment of 2 euros by card only.
For cyclists, there are bike parking posts and charging points for electric bikes. It's a really nice cycle route from Sancerre, crossing the Loire, passing through Tracy-sur-Loire, and a steady incline to Saint Andelain.
No facilities for wheelchair users and no lift.
Open daily from 9h to 19h from 1 May to 31 October and 9h to 18h from 1 November to 30 April.
Pouilly-sur-Loire, Nièvre - 16km
Cyclable via the dedicated cycle path starting at Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre.
Pouilly is a beautiful village of 1,600 inhabitants and home to the famous Pouilly fumé wines (using the same Sauvignon grapes as Sancerre).
Situated in the heart of the Loire Valley Nature Reserve, this section of Europe’s last wild river is known as the 'Loire of the Islands,' a reference to its meandering course and the variety of its landscapes.
Be sure to take the time to visit the Pouilly-Fumé Tower and the Pavillon du Milieu de Loire and taste some fine wines!
Market day is Friday.
Southwards
La Charité-sur-Loire, Nièvre 30km
Accessible via the cycle route starting at Ménétréole-sous-Loire.
La Charité is well worth a visit if you have the time. Technically it's in the Nièvre department across the Loire but that's a great reason for going: taking in the wonderful view from one side of the river and crossing the bridge.
A Unesco World Heritage Site, dominated by an ancient Benedictine monastery dating back to 1059, and the priory church, the town was also known for its writers and bookshops. On Saturday it's market day, right in the centre. Well worth coming for a few hours.
Also, just as you turn left having cross the bridge, and about 100m further along, there is Les Halles de Loire, a beautiful indoor food shop, supplying a vast choice of produce, bakery products, patisseries, wines and local produce. It doesn't have a website but you can find out more here.
As I alluded to above, la Loire à Vélo allows you to get around the area very easily and to wonderful places such as Aprémont-sur-Allier, which is a beautiful village on the banks of the Allier river, rather reminding me of the Cotswolds. The village is dominated by the Château de Veuillin, its grounds and floral park including Japanese gardens.
Thanks to La souris Globetrotteuse (the globetrotting mouse) for the photograph. She has written much more on her blog. There are cafés, restaurant and accommodation here to.
The village has only around 70 inhabitants, which makes me feel slightly uncomfortable mentioning it. On the other side, it is set up very well as a traveller's destination. I visited on an afternoon in mid-October when it was very quiet. See photograph immediately below.
The other photographs below are courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Last but not least...Bourges
Bourges, 50km, South West
Going back nearly 2,000 years to Roman times, Bourges is the administrative centre of the Cher department and an easy, direct drive from Sancerre along the D955.
Set your GPS to Hôtel de Ville, where there is a large underground car park. As soon as you exit — keep your parking ticket with you, as you’ll need it to re‑enter — turn right, and the cathedral rises immediately in front of you. It’s also the ideal starting point for exploring the lovely old quarter around it.
Bourges Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Saint Stephen (Cathédrale Saint‑Étienne), is the seat of the Archbishop of Bourges and one of the great Gothic monuments of France.
But the setting is just as striking: the climb towards the cathedral winds through a vast district of medieval timber‑framed houses, almost Alsatian in their angles and colours.
Around the cathedral itself, the city shifts into grand Renaissance mansions such as the Palais Jacques Cœur, reminders of Bourges’ early wealth. A little further out, the imposing 19th‑century administrative buildings reflect its later role as a major artillery and state‑finance centre.