Getting to Thauvenay

Located 120 miles south of Paris, Sancerre is easily accessible by rental car or train. If you’re traveling by train, note that only the Paris-Bercy train station services Sancerre. From there, you’ll enjoy a scenic journey that brings you right into the heart of this charming wine region.

Getting around locally: Please note that there are no shops or restaurants within immediate walking distance of the château. The village of Sancerre is about a 45-minute walk through the vineyards. To get around freely during your stay, we recommend renting a bicycle, hiring a car, or booking a taxi in advance. There are several ways to explore the region with ease, which we have noted below. If you are renting a car, please drive responsibly and don’t exceed the speed limits, as there is radar everywhere. Waze is your friend, as is a taxi! You may also want to inquire about an International Driver’s Permit at your local AAA or DMV prior to leaving for Europe.

From Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Paris Train Station

  • CDG - Take a taxi to the train station: Paris Bercy Bourgogne - Pays d'Auvergne (48 bis Bd de Bercy, 75012 Paris, France). The ride should take 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The taxi should cost ~€60.

  • Follow signs in the airport for “RER - Paris by Train” then you will take the RER Line B (Light Blue) to downtown Paris. Ride the RER 36 minutes to “Chatelet - Les Halles” and follow signs to transfer to the Metro Line 14 (Dark Purple). Take Line 14 towards “Aeroport D’orly” for only two stops and get off at “Bercy.” You are at the train station that services Sancerre. Tickets cost €13.

From Orly Airport (ORY) to Paris Train Station

  • Take a taxi to the train station: Paris Bercy Bourgogne - Pays d'Auvergne (48 bis Bd de Bercy, 75012 Paris, France). The ride should take 20-45 minutes, depending on traffic. The taxi should cost ~€45.

  • By Metro - Follow the signs for Metro Line 14 (Dark Purple). The metro will take you directly to the “Bercy” Train Station. Tickets are €13 and the ride takes 25 minutes.

  • We recommend renting a car at the airport to avoid driving in the city center of Paris.

    Use navigation apps to direct you to Chateau de Thauvenay (or Sancerre). The drive should take ~2.5 hours. Parking is ample at the chateau and having a car will allow you to explore the area at your leisure.

    Address: Le Château de Thauvenay • Rue du Château • 18300 Thauvenay, France

    You can also rent a car locally at the locations listed below, closer to the train station. Please note possible closures for pick up and return on 14 July, as it is a national holiday.

    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. + 33 3 86 26 41 22 ou + 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. +33 3 86 24 24 24 - cosne@votreagenceucar.fr

    • Rent a Car Cosne-sur-Loire, 15 passenger vehicles. Closed on Sundays. Less than 1 km from the station. +33 6 50 33 24 04 / cosnecourssurloire@rentacar.fr

    • ADA Cosne-sur-Loire 7 to 8 passenger vehicles. 15 minutes from the station. + 33 3 86 26 61 73

  • Château de Thauvenay is accessible in 1h50 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). Several trains run daily in both directions, and the château can also be reached by bike from the station via the Loire cycling paths. The train station is 7 minutes from the château by car.

    You can buy your train ticket to Sancerre in advance. Click on the link to purchase your tickets in advance: SNCF Tickets

    Departure: Paris Bercy - Bourgogne Pays d'Auvergne

    Arrival: Tracy sur Loire.

    Select the desired day and time of departure, then edit your traveler information. Scroll down and click “See Prices.” 

    Find a train that says “Direct” under the time slot. They run every few hours and are a quick 1 hour 51 minute ride.

    The conductor will announce when approaching each stop. When the train reaches the Tracy sur Loire stop, the train will stop for one minute before continuing south. Prepare your belongings and head to the doors when the train leaves the Cosne-sur-Loire stop (one stop before Tracy sur Loire).

    You can also arrange a taxi to take you to the château when you arrive. 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.

    The first three numbers also offer vans that can accommodate up to 7 passengers:

    • Taxi Thauvenay : +33 6 08 97 06 72

    • Taxi Saint-Satur : +33 6 79 37 60 82

    • Taxi Cosne-sur-Loire : +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

  • For those who enjoy cycling through vineyards or along the Loire River, both classic and electric bikes can be rented nearby:

    • Cycles Sancerrois in Saint-Satur (5 minutes from the château) offers both standard and electric bikes, with delivery possible depending on availability. +33 2 48 78 27 14 – cyclessancerrois@orange.fr

    • The Sancerre Tourist Office also offers standard and electric bikes.

From Paris to the Château