It is certainly from the top of the Porte César esplanade that you can best appreciate the exceptional situation of the village of Sancerre. We understand the strategic choice of Etienne de Champagne, first count of Sancerre, to have built on this rocky peak 312 m high, a first fortified castle and its fortifications to monitor the Loire and its surroundings, establishing its reputation as an impregnable citadel. .
Today, the panorama over the peaceful meanders of the river and the hillsides of Sancerrois would almost make you forget the turbulent history of the city: the Hundred Years War which saw Sancerre resist the offensive of the Anglo-Bourguignons, the Wars of Religion where some of the inhabitants converted to the Reformation opposed the royal armies, the long siege of seven months, in 1573, which starved the city which had become Huguenot, the royalist uprising during the Revolution... Sancerre the dissident did not calmed down: it has put itself in battle order to obtain the title of "Favorite Village of the French 2021".
You have to stroll through its narrow streets, climb the 195 steps of the tower of the Fiefs, the last vestige of the feudal castle, admire the Romanesque portal of Saint-Père-la-None and, not far from the belfry, linger in front of the house of Jacques Coeur, the great treasurer of the King of France (15th century). To end this visit as it should be, a stop at the Maison des Sancerre allows you to discover the secrets of one of the most famous vineyards in the world. The wines of Sancerre classified AOC (controlled designation of origin), as well as another celebrity of the region, the famous crottin de Chavignol named after a hamlet of Sancerre, delicious goat's cheese, have their favorite land here. Sancerre continues to write its history.
