Maison Salvard

If your interest in wine extends beyond just drinking the stuff, take a tour or sample the goods at the local vineyards and wineries. The town of Sancerre is a good place to start, or you could head to the cluster of wineries on the riverside in Pouilly-sur-Loire – either way, a half-hour drive will put you within reach of lots of options.. Lac du Bourdon is a good place for a swim,15 minutes from the site, or you could visit the lakeside leisure centre for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing or archery. Heading the other way, hire canoes or kayaks from Cosne-sur-Loire, 20 minutes away, and take to the Loire river for a day’s paddling. If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, horse riding tours leave from the town to explore the surrounding countryside. An intriguing outing nearby is the Château de Guédelon, a 15-minute drive away. In an abandoned quarry in the forest, a team of master craftsmen is constructing a 21st-century version of a medieval castle. Drop by to see the building take shape and watch demonstrations of some of the traditional crafts that would have been used to construct châteaux across France throughout the centuries.