Just two hours south of Paris, and on the left and right banks of the Loire des îles, a gourmet and energetic adventure awaits visitors in search of a two-wheeled journey of discovery.

What better place to start the trip than the Coteaux du Giennois wine region? Setting off from the Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire tourist office, the vineyards of Pouilly meet alongside the Loire river. Along the way you’ll have to climb the famous hill- whitout to many efforts - to reach the winemaking village of Les Loges, an essential stop for any visitor.

Further on, La Tour du Pouilly-Fumé is another highlight of the trip. Those eager to discover more about wine will learn how to taste the local white wines like a pro before climbing the steps of the Belvédère de Saint-Andelain to admire the vines that stretch as far as the eye can see.

At this point, keen cyclists will seize the chance to leave the signposted loop to reach Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire via the La Loire à Vélo cycle route and the Piton Sancerrois, where a new 42 kilometre loop, also signposted, awaits. Supporting material can be picked up from the Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire tourist office. For a less taxing trip, it also provides electric bike rental, as does the Pavillon du Milieu de Loire in Pouilly-sur-Loire, and Cycles Sancerrois in Saint-Satur, not far from Sancerre.

From July to September the area’s flagship summer event, It’s Wine Time, offers entertainment and wine tasting three evenings a week in the three appellations of Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé and Coteaux du Giennois. On Thursday take a trip to the Loire’s beaches, on Friday it’s time to visit a site laden with history and on Saturday, stroll through the vines and explore the delightful winemaking villages to learn more about the region’s terroirs and grape varieties, and the local approach to tending the vines.

A trip to Sancerre, Pouilly and Giennois guarantees relaxation and fun, whether you visit as a couple, family or with friends. And to take advantage of special offers on all activities why not pick up the Wine Pass, available at the Tour du Pouilly-Fumé, the Maison des Sancerre and in tourist offices located in each of the three appellations!

There are many roads, and there is A road …

The road we choose, which guides us instinctively to new ones. The one made of meeting, discovering, tasting, feeling, fresh air, unexpectedness or catching unforgettable moments. In Saône-et-Loire, find your way on the Road71-Southern Burgundy.

Cellars, finest tables, charming Romanesque villages, outdoor activities, historic heritage, various accommodations … take the Road71 and experience Southern Burgundy !

Duché d’Uzès, Tavel, Lirac, Clairette de Bellegarde, Costières de Nîmes… Names that evoke the gastronomy and iconic produce of the Gard region, from truffles to olive oil and wine!

On the right bank of the Rhône, the Gard vineyards of the Rhône Valley, with their 11 AOPs and 3 IGPs, are an expression of terroirs that are influenced by the river’s geology and climates, round pebbles and the mistral. Here, grape varieties such as Bourboulenc, Roussane, Marsane, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsaut produce wines of character.

While these vineyards contain diverse landscapes ideal for hiking, canoeing, cycling, and river tourism, the land has also been enriched by the men and women who have passed this way in years gone by. Unmissable sights include the Pont du Gard, a masterpiece in Roman architecture and engineering, the strollable town of Uzès, and also Beaucaire and Nîmes, cities of art and history with a rich and colourful historical and gastronomic heritage. The Abbey of Saint-Gilles, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its ties to the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route, is also worth an extended visit.

But for a complete immersion there’s nothing like a unique experience to discover local know-how and titillate the taste buds.

Reason is why Château Mourgues du Grès and its connected winemaker's trail are a must. Visitors can stroll between vine, garigue and orchards as they watch videos that detail estate life through the seasons and learn about its diverse environment. There’s also a chance to enjoy a tasting of organic wines among the vines and savour a winemaker's picnic featuring local seasonal produce.

History buffs can travel back in time in the ancient Sernhac tunnels that run from the Pont du Gard aqueduct. They’ll be joined by the owners of Domaine de Poulvarel, who will open their modern cellar, built from Pont du Gard stone, and ensuring the optimal temperature to age and store the wines. For the full experience and a perfect refuge, head to the heart of the village and Les Aires Passagères – awarded the European Eco-Label – for self-catering gîtes and bed and breakfast.

A sparkling and sweet experience that fans of bubbles and cocoa won’t want to miss in the Champagne wine region.

At Manoir Devaux, uncover the secrets behind the world’s most famous sparkling wine as you explore the educational trail that winds through the estate, its glasshouses and its dovecote, included on the list of historic monuments. The wine-themed stroll ends with a gastronomical journey as you enjoy 4 champagne and chocolate praline pairings that are guaranteed to add some fizz to your taste buds!

Since 2012, Stéphanie Barousse and Marion Merker have been in innovation overdrive to promote Château de La Dauphine in Fronsac. Surrounded by an organic and biodynamic vineyard, this 18th century charterhouse is a unique site located beside the Dordogne river.

Why did you decide to open La Dauphine to visitors?

S.B It’s a fabulous location, hilly, with umbrella pines… Reminiscent of a Tuscan amphitheatre that dives into the Dordogne. The main house, which dates back to 1750, and its ultra-modern winemaking facilities, were assets that hadn’t been exploited prior to 2010. It seemed wrong to keep visitors away.

M.M We focused on the history of the château, where the mother of Louis XIV, then the dauphine of France, stayed. Very few properties in the Bordeaux region have been entirely restored, from the façade to the engravings, mouldings, furniture, etc. And even fewer have a vineyard in their own grounds.

And since then you have constantly revamped and expanded your offer.

M.M Each year we pretty much develop a new workshop or tour, always at an affordable price: our visitors are our future consumers! Some people are interested in our environmentally-friendly practices, others prefer wine pairing... Our most recent product is a trip in a 2CV, with a tour of the vineyard, excursion to a fishing shack from where you can fish for shad and eel, followed by a visit to a truffle field, a local Fronsac tradition. The highlight of the day? A wine tasting of our two reds and our rosé at the top of a slope with a panoramic view, served with lamprey rillettes!

You’ve received several awards from “Best of Wine Tourism”, an organisation that recognizes the world’s best wine tourism experiences. What does this recognition mean to you?

S.B It’s very rewarding to see our team recognised for all their hard work, but also a challenge because it forces you to take a fresh look at everything you do. We started from scratch in 2012 but now receive 5,000 visitors a year, over 80% of whom come from outside France. We are proud of our success.

Dedicated to the riches and history of the Rhône Valley, Caveau du Château is an unmissable visit for wine lovers – and it's just 30 minutes from Lyon.

Created by Maison Guigal, this wine tourism venue presents a wide range of Rhône appellations from four properties: Domaine Guigal, Maison Vidal-Fleury, Domaine de Bonserine and Château de Nalys.

Several tasting formulas – each followed by a tour of the museum – introduce individual guests and corporate clients to the first-rate terroir and the expertise of the local winegrowers.

It is a beautiful place that pays tribute to great wines and where you can enjoy a uniquely sociable time!

Guiding novice and advanced wine lovers through Bordeaux's vines and wines has been the ambitious mission of the École du Vin de Bordeaux, or Bordeaux Wine School, since it was first founded 30 years ago!

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the institution in the heart of Gironde’s capital has expanded in size and kitted itself out with cutting-edge digital devices. Short online tutorials, shared on social media, have been added to the wide range of oenological courses designed to bring an understanding of wine to a wider audience.

The courses offered by this unique school are as varied as the region’s wine!

Whether you pick a two-hour training session, full-day introduction to wine, or evening class, one thing is certain: the content will be both educational and fun. Instead of being taught by traditional lecturers, the school’s courses are led by passionate winemakers, cellarmasters, oenologists and sommeliers, all keen to share their expertise. This special experience means that participants are instructed in the theoretical and practical aspects of winemaking by men and women who work in the vineyards all year round.

From wine tasting techniques for beginners, learning how to blend your own Bordeaux wine, mastering the art of wine pairing, and learning sommelier skills, there’s something for all skill levels and interests. The modules are built around topics that have been specifically designed to allow people to learn more about the world of wine, the typical grape varieties found in Bordeaux, and this famous wine region’s iconic appellations, at their own pace.

Look, smell, taste: there’s stimulation for all the senses during the school’s discovery activities. The wines from the different terroirs slowly reveal their secrets through their intense colours filled with shimmering hues, powerful bouquets infused with delicate aromas, and small sips that promise a long finish.