Access

by train There are many train services providing a Cosnes-Paris-Nevers service, and they also stop in Tracy-sur-Loire and Pouilly. Bikes are allowed in all TER Bourgogne trains, subject to availability of space.

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  Itinerary

The route follows the Loire on the north bank to Bonny-sur-Loire before crossing towards Belleville-sur-Loire. It then joins the canal running alongside the Loire to the foot of Sancerre hill. Then you cross the Loire Valley National Nature Reserve which leads you to the characterful walled city of Charite-sur-Loire.

Tourist destinations

Châtillon-sur-Loire

L’île d’Ousson
Also called the Ile de Gaston, this 70 acre stretch of wilderness along the Loire is covered with alluvial forest - an environment that is becoming increasingly rare. This old island in the Loire is bordered by a branch of the river that has become a stream: le ruisseau de la Folie, or the "stream of Madness".
A protected site nowadays, the Ile d'Ousson offers varied landscapes, with wet meadow and dry grass on sand, dense forest and bush environments and even swamps and farmland.
 

Historic circuit : « Discovering Architectural Heritage »
This circuit enables visitors to explore the history of the city, its monuments and treasures through a walk lasting about one hour.
From the ruins of Château Gaillard, which gave its name to the town, to the Protestant cemetery via the winegrowing district, this circuit offers a trip back in time up and down stone steps and secret lanes.

Sancerre

Caesar's gate
This esplanade is worth a visit for the splendid view it offers over the Loire Valley. Looking into the distance, you will see the blue woodland of Puysaye. At your feet, the town of Saint-Satur, nestling in the valley of Sancerre.

Pouilly-sur-Loire

The mid-Loire pavilion
The Loire has the honour of having two permanent exhibition halls, which will show you the life of the river and the birds that can be spotted on the riverbanks. In the temporary exhibition room, you will find exhibitions of the natural world, and also of paintings and photographers of the Loire.

Paths of discovery
Three trails extend away from the mid-Loire pavilion. Each of them will introduce you to landscapes so characteristic of riverbanks, and will take you to the heart of the vineyards, with a number of breathtaking views over Sancerre and Saint-Andelain hill.

A découvrir...

Le Pouilly fumé
This "smoked white", as the winegrowers call Pouilly wine, takes its name from the grey bloom covering the grapes at maturity. This wine is a typical sauvignon, a cousin of Sauvignon Blanc.

Le Sancerre

La Charité-sur-Loire

The priory and Basilica
This, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is currently being restored. The Gothic halls and the East Wing of the cloisters have been finished and hint at the splendour of the great monuments of Romanesque Burgundy.

The Word festival

"Reveal the magic and power of words, writing, language, speech, accents and more" - such is the ambition of this unusual festival that brings together artists, creators, researchers and experts each year by the banks of the river. The festival usually takes place in early June.

The bookshop quarter
Fifteen bookshops and book crafts workshops are huddled together in the heart of the old town, to the delight of voracious readers. There is an old book fair and a special 'book night', the former in the springtime and the latter in the summer, attracting people from the literary world from all over France.

Practical informations

Bike rentals

 
tourist offices

	Bonny-sur-Loire Tél. 02 38 31 57 71
	Belleville-sur-Loire Tél. 02 48 72 54 96
	La Charité-sur-Loire http://lacharitesurloire-tourisme.com Tél. 03 86 70 15 06
	Sancerre http://www.tourisme-sancerre.fr/ Tél. 02 48 54 08 21
	Pouilly-sur-Loire http://www.pouillysurloire.fr/ Tél. 03 86 39 54 54

maps and guidebooks