Things to Do
You need never be bored, in this part of France you can be as active as you wish or spend your time in relaxation and quiet contemplation.
Swimming - Unfortunately you cannot swim in the lake at Oudan but in Premery about 20 minutes away there is a lake beside the camping site where a beach area has been set out. Most of the day there is a lifeguard on duty and there are toilets and changing rooms as well as a play area for children. To get there either take the D977 from Varzy or join up with it in Champlemy after cutting across from Oudan on the D155. In good weather head off for the day with a picnic.
Clamecy has both an indoor and out door swimming pool and Donzy also has an outdoor pool.
Golf - The closest course to Oudan is http://www.sancerre.net/golf. There is an email address golf.sancerre@wanadoo.fr
Ballooning - Mongolfière (hot air ballooning) was born in the Burgundy region due to the great imagination of the two Mongolfièr brothers. As a result you can fly over vineyards, the canal, river valleys and other wonderful landmarks. If you want to experience more there is a balloon festival held at Chalon sur Saône every June, and from here something like 40 balloons take off. There are three main ballooning companies flying in Burgundy - you will find them below listed in alphabetical order. You can contact them directly through the websites - Air Adventures - http://www.airadventures.fr ; Air Escargot - http://www.air-escargot.com and France Montgolfieres - http://www.franceballoons.com/
Walking - You can walk practically anywhere in Burgundy and the Loire except where you will see signs stating that the property is private. There are many walks along the canals and also in the forests and either along country paths or roads.
Cycling - As above
Shopping - Different towns have their own individual shops and produce depending on what they are known for and it is always interesting to browse. In many towns and villages you will find the 'brocante' which is a type of cross between a junk shop and antique shop. Some sell clothes and jewellery and others again specialise. One brocante in Donzy is also a pottery.
If it is pottery you like, head for St Armand-en Puisaye which is indeed the pottery centre of the area. Here you can browse in a number of shops and spend quite a lot of money if you feel the urge. St Armand also has a beautiful jewellery shop where you can by direct from the jewellery maker himself. It is on the main street leading back up from the potteries on your right.
Sancerre also has some small jewellery shops tucked away in the little back streets and some interesting galleries. Here you can also by most things to do with wine, not surprisingly.
In Vezelay wine is in abundance and there are a couple of very nice clothes shops on the main street. If you are into photography visit Vezelay photographs up near the basilica on your left as you make your way up.
French fashion may be chic in Paris and other large cities but not, as far as I have found, in rural Burgundy so if this is what you want, consider a day trip to Paris. You can get a train from Cosne sue Loire where there is parking to be had in the streets around the station. The journey takes about two hours during which you can relax and view the countryside. You arrive in Gare de Lyon and can hop on the metro to wherever appeals. the last train back is about 10.00 but please check with the station. It is a good idea to book in advance. An overnight is Paris is also good, giving you more time to explore and in August especially there are some great hotel deals.
Closer than Paris is Nevers which I cannot comment on at this time or indeed Bourges which is a great place to shop and lunch. For those who want shoes this is the place to go and there is even an H&M !!
All throughout the area are markets selling both food and other goods. The tourist office is a good source of information regarding time and location.
Wine Tasting - There are ample opportunities for this all over the countryside, just follow the signs. Along the A77 between Cosne and La Charite you will see evidence of many of the large producers so come off the motorway here and seek out their tasting rooms along the back roads.
In the summer you will find wine fairs advertised. The Pouilly Wine fair is held on the second Sunday in August every year. You will find it down by the Loire. It is worth checking to see if it is on by calling 0033 (0)3 80 28 02 80
One place we really enjoyed visiting was 'Les Caves Tannaysiennes' in Tannay. The tasting rooms are well signposted from the centre of the town.
Fireworks - If you are in the area of Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses on the last Saturday of July make a point of attending the firework extravaganza here which attracts a crowd of around 10,000.
The Chateau at St Fargeau has a 'Spectacle Historique which this year happens every Friday and Saturday night from July 9th until August 20th. It starts at 10.00 pm and you can just get a ticket when you arrive . For more information call 00 33 (0)3 86 74 05 67
On Bastille Day , July 14th there are likely to be many firework displays. Check at the local Tourist Information or look out for signs in the villages and towns.