Travel + Leisure‘s Top 50 is always eagerly awaited, because far from the great hyper-tourist classics, the magazine looks for the rare gems. This year, the ranking honors a small town not far from Lyon, world-famous for its vineyards but perhaps less so for its heritage. And yet, it’s well worth the detour, and not just to visit a wine shop. Come and (re)discover Sancerre!
Are you serious about Sancerre?
Sancerre is a small medieval town perched in the middle of the vineyards, surrounded by ramparts. What more could you ask for? So,de facto, Sancerre is a cut above the rest. In fact, before Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye this year, Sancerre was elected “Favorite Village of the French” in Stéphane Bern ‘s 2021 TV show. In other words, a few eyes were already on the town to see what it had to offer.
Having visited it, the answer is a resounding yes. On its promontory, the little town shines. The view from up there is simply magnificent. Its history, dating back to antiquity, has forged a town of real character. Whether during the Hundred Years’ War or the Wars of Religion, Sancerre was the scene of some of the most important events in our history, and its architecture reflects this. Highlights include the Tour des Fiefs with its 195 steps, a vestige of a bygone age, and its picturesque narrow streets and numerous small shops.
A wine that crosses borders
If Sancerre is known the world over, it’s first and foremost for its nectar. And what a beverage it is! The Sancerre vineyard is an AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) covering no less than 2800 hectares. Today, ¾ of the bottles produced in Sancerre are white wine (Sauvignon Blanc) and the rest red wine (Pinot Noir). And as we all know, a glass is never drunk on its own: here, wine goes perfectly with crottin de Chavignol, the local goat’s cheese, as small as it is powerful on the palate.
Because while it may seem a long way from Lyon to visit this medieval village, don’t stop at Place de l’Église. The surrounding area, with its vineyards and the Loire River, offers a breathtaking backdrop, allowing you to pass from one village to another in one of the most beautiful parts of France. From Nevers, the road up the Loire is a real treasure. So it’s easy to see why, on the other side of the Atlantic, this little town has the wind in its sails!
Details of Travel + Leisure’s rankings, click here