Travel
EU travel
Important info for non-EU citizens
Your passport must be valid for 3 months before and 3 months after your trip, for a total of 6 months. If you need to renew your passport, we suggest doing so no later than May 2025 as the process can take 13+ weeks. More info.
Getting there
Thauvenay is a small commune, just outside of Sancerre, approx 200KM south of Paris. It is known for its medieval charm and world-class vineyards.
We recommend flying into Paris before making the trek down to Thauvenay. Paris is a lovely city with amazing food, fashion, and art. We recommend spending a few days in Paris at the beginning or end of your trip to Sancerre. Alternatively, you can fly into London or Amsterdam and take the train to Paris and then on to Sancerre.
Fights to Paris
There are two Paris airports to fly into.
CDG Airport - 2 Hours, 30 Minutes from the Chateau
ORY Airport - 2 Hours from the Chateau
Transportation to Thauvenay
We strongly recommend renting a car or carpooling with other guests. There is a direct train from Paris to Sancerre, however, taxis are not plentiful in the area and the walk from Sancerre to Le Chateau de Thauvenay takes about 1 hour. If you would like to take the train from Paris to Sancerre, you will need to call in advance for a taxi or private driver to pick you up.
Please note that there are no shops or restaurants within immediate walking distance of the wedding venue (Le Chateau de Thauvenay)—the village of Sancerre is about a 45-minute walk through the vineyards.
Car rental agencies
Several rental agencies are available in Cosne-sur-Loire (approximately 15 minutes by car from the château):- CarGo Cosne-sur-Loire - Yohann Pinglot : 8 passenger vehicles. Open 7 days a week. Pick-up at the train station available upon request. phone: + 33 3 86 26 41 22 or + 33 6 40 48 74 60
- Ucar Cosne-sur-Loire : 4 cars + 1 nine-seater van. Sunday returns possible with key drop-off box and photo sent by email. 10 minutes on foot from the station. phone: +33 3 86 24 24 24 / email: cosne@votreagenceucar.fr
- Rent a Car Cosne-sur-Loire 15 passenger vehicles. Closed on Sundays. Less than 1 km from the station. phone +33 6 50 33 24 04 / email: cosnecourssurloire@rentacar.fr
- ADA Cosne-sur-Loire - 7 to 8 passenger vehicles. 15 minutes from the station. phone + 33 3 86 26 61 73
Taxis
Below are a few local taxi contacts you can reach out to for transfers from the train station or for local rides, such as to Sancerre. It is essential to contact them in advance to ensure availability at your desired time.- Taxi Thauvenay (7-seater): +33 6 08 97 06 72
- Taxi Saint-Satur (7-seater): +33 6 79 37 60 82
- Taxi Cosne-sur-Loire (7-seater): +33 6 07 53 25 76
- Other local taxis:
- +33 7 77 90 46 05
- +33 6 75 89 09 88
- +33 6 69 50 69 48
- Affek Transport (based in Paris, airport transfers, minibus available) : +33 6 63 86 98 28
- Ludovic Thause Tourisme (47-seater coach or 8-seater van): + 33 3 86 36 70 14
Bike rental
For those who enjoy cycling through vineyards or along the Loire River, both classic andelectric bikes can be rented nearby:- Cycles Sancerrois in Saint-Satur (5 minutes from the château) offers both standard andelectric bikes, with delivery possible depending on availability. To reserve, call/whatsapp +33 2 48 78 27 14 / email cyclessancerrois@orange.fr
- The Sancerre Tourist Office also offers standard and electric bikes: https://www.tourisme-sancerre.com/
Train from Paris
Sancerre is accessible in under 2 hours by TER train from Paris-Bercy to either Tracy-Sancerre station (just 5 minutes from the château by taxi or car) or Cosne-sur-Loire (20 minutes away from château by car). Several trains run daily in both directions.From the station, you will need to have a taxi or private driver booked in advance to drive you to the château.
In Sancerre
Sancerre is a small town in France’s Loire Valley that is known for its medieval charm and world-class vineyards. The region of Loire Valley is world famous for it’s wine production and many châteaus. Here are some recommendations on how to explore the city of Sancerre and all it has to offer.
Additionally, check out Molly Baz’s travel guide from when she stayed at Château Thauvenay in 2024.
Le Panoramic Hôtel
$100-150 Nightly Rate
8 minute drive from the venue
113 Rem des Augustins, 18300 Sancerre, France
Book
$100-150 Nightly Rate
8 minute drive from the venue
113 Rem des Augustins, 18300 Sancerre, France
Book
Folklore
$150-350 Nightly Rate
7 minute drive from the venue
10 Rue des Trois Pilliers, 18300 Sancerre, FranceBook
Le Cep en Sancerrois
$100-150 Nightly Rate
10 minute drive from the venue
2 Rue du Maréchal Macdonald, 18300 Sancerre, France
Book
Airbnb
Browse Airbnb for local home-stays
Browse
Le Clos du Maréchal
Bistro cuisine, traditionally inspired, simple and inventive with our touch of modernity
Restaurant La Pomme d'Or
A unique & gourmet menu for lunch and dinner
La Banque Bar à Vins
Lovely patio dining and wine selection
La Tour
Fine dining experience
Au P'tit goûter
A French bistro
Au Bon Laboureur
Recommended by Le Fooding guide
L’Auberge du Vigneron
Recommended by Gault & Millau guide
Château de Sancerre - Wine Tours & Tastings
Located on the left bank of the Loire, has 55 hectares of vineyards overlooking a unique terroir of 4 different soils, famous for their Sauvignon Blancs.
Domaine Eric Louis – Celliers de la Pauline
Book a vineyard tour, goat farm tour, and/or wine tasting at this organic, eco concious vineyard. Learn more.
Domaine Hubert Brochard - Wine Workshop
Introduction to three exceptional vintage wines, paired with different crottins de Chavignol - the experience is rich with history and a guide to the city.
Villaudière Estate
Book a wine tasting at Villaudière Estate. Learn more.
One Day Wine Tour - Airbnb Experience
After a short drive through the stunning vineyards you will then enjoy your first visit to a local wine-maker and learn about the history of wine-making in the region and the art of making world class Sauvignon blanc wines. Book here.
La Bête Noire Farm
Visit the La Bête Noire goat farm and creamery, where you can taste the traditional Crottins de Chavignol. Learn more.
Boat ride with wine & lunch
Enjoy a ride on a traditional wooden boat offering wine tastings and excursions on the Loire, just a 5-minute drive away in Saint-Satur. This boat takes you on an apéritif cruise along the wild stretches of the river, where you’ll sample local wines, cheese, and other foods. It can accommodate up to 12 guests. More info available here.
Farmers markets
Every Thursday in Saint-Satur, and every Saturday at Sancerre, local producers help you discover what the region has to offer via farmers markets offering an abundance of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, etc. Saint-Satur market takes place every Thursday from 7am to 1pm at Place de la République. The Sancerre market is every Saturday morning at Esplanade de la
Porte César. More details here.
App of trails for running enthusiasts
The Sancerre region is full of marked trails ideal for trail running or mountain biking. The free app Sports Nature en Grand Sancerrois lets you explore hiking paths and permanent trail circuits. You’ll find interactive maps to help you make the most of the rolling landscapes and vineyards.
Canoeing in the Loire River
More info here: https://www.loirenaturedecouverte.com or https://www.canoeevasion.com/fr