Saint-Georges-Sur-Cher: Architecture, Wine and Jour de Cher

Saint-Georges-Sur-Cher combines Romanesque and Renaissance architecture with wine and the Jour de Cher river festival, held annually in July. For your stay, the main attractions can be easily distinguished: the buildings stand out for their specific details and different periods, Les Pierres d’Aurèle for its vineyard and tastings, and the festival for its rafts and programme along the Cher. You can plan your visit around whichever theme interests you most.

Buildings from different periods

The Église Saint-Georges has a distinctive Romanesque character: both the portal and the bell tower are Romanesque. The arrangement on the tower is described particularly precisely: on each of its four sides, two paired windows let in light. This paired window design is repeated all around the tower.

The Prieuré de la Chaise retains two architectural elements from different centuries: a chapel dating from the 13th century and a priory house believed to date from the 16th century. The chapel and the house therefore represent different periods; the house’s date is qualified as probable. The Prieuré is partially protected as a historic monument.

The Manoir des Couldraies offers another perspective on the architecture of Touraine. Built in the early 16th century, it is considered representative of Touraine Renaissance architecture. A fresco in the style of the Second School of Fontainebleau survives in the chimney hood. The construction date and the fresco give the Manoir two specific features that distinguish it from the church’s Romanesque details and the surviving parts of the priory.

In the centre of Saint-Georges-sur-Cher stands the Maison à lucarne de type compagnonnique. It has a dormer dated 1832 and a symbol used by the Compagnons. The buildings offer a variety of features to look out for: the portal and windows of the church, architectural elements from two centuries at the priory, a fresco at the Manoir and the dated dormer in the town centre.

Vineyard and tasting

Les Pierres d’Aurèle has 40 hectares of vineyards nestled among forests. The estate also includes a fully renovated 19th-century winegrower’s house. Guided and audio-guided tours take visitors through the vineyard and wine cellar and include a tasting. A visit therefore combines insights into the vineyard and cellar with the chance to sample the wines.

The Dégustation Gourmande pairs five cuvées with regional terroir products. This gives the tasting experience a distinctive character: alongside the wines, products from the local terroir are also part of the selection. Wine enthusiasts can choose between guided or audio-guided tours of the vineyard and cellar and this special tasting experience.

On foot, by bike and at the festival

The Les Moulins et les Vignes circular hiking trail is 13 kilometres long. This gives you a clear measure for planning a walk, and the route is also identified as a circular trail. Another activity is a 28-kilometre bike ride organised by the Office de Tourisme Sud Val de Loire.

Jour de Cher takes place annually in July and runs over six stages between Saint-Georges-sur-Cher and Athée-sur-Cher. The pre-event in Saint-Georges-sur-Cher includes the final preparations and the launching of the rafts. Programme details vary from one edition to the next. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.

The themes also differ in their timing: the buildings are defined by their architecture and dates, while Jour de Cher is tied to an annual edition in July. When choosing between activities, the 13-kilometre circular hiking trail and the 28-kilometre bike ride offer two clearly stated distances in different formats.

Discover more destinations: Cellé, Lamotte-Beuvron, Saint-Gervais-La-Forêt, Pouillé, Villavard, Chémery, Cheverny, Saint-Romain-Sur-Cher

For the overview of the wider region: Loir-Et-Cher.