Travel Guide Menetou-Râtel

Menetou-Râtel is located ten kilometers west of Sancerre. Located in the transition zone between the mountain of the Fort Fort to the north, the Berrichone champagne plain in the south-west and the Sancerrois vineyard in the south-east, Menetou-Râtel is a picturesque village.The peak point of the commune is located in the north-west, 375 meters above sea level in the place La Montagne des Marnes. Three streams take their source: The Balance, the Couët (which feeds the pond of the same name and travels to the place-said) and Salereine. Many mares and lagoons are visible throughout this hamlet, suitable for walks. The municipality consists of several charming hamlets: The Forest Gasselin, Les Champions, Maubois, La Vauvise, La Brosse, Les Rossignols, Couët, Le Petit Poisson, Le Grand Poisson.Menetou-Râtel comes from the word «ratel», which defines a badger-like animal. One can see in the commune the church Saint Martin, whose origin dates back to the xiith century, the priory Notre-Dame, of the nineteenth century, the castle of Couët, of the late nineteenth century a commemorative plaque of Jews killed in the village during the Second World War.