Sancerre is a medieval hilltop town (ville), commune and canton in the Cher department of central France overlooking the Loire River. It is noted for its wine.

Known principally for the production of red wine from the Pinot noir grape until the 20th century, the Sancerre area was devastated by phylloxera in the late 19th century. The vineyards were replanted in Sauvignon blanc (also see Sancerre (wine)). In 1936 Sancerre white was given AOC (INAO) status; reds were classified in 1959. The area now produces white, red and rose wine. The following communes fall inside the "Sancerre" and "Sancerre-Loire Valley" controlled label of origin area: Bannay, Bué, Crézancy-en-Sancerre, Menetou-Râtel, Ménétréol, Montigny, Saint Satur, Sainte-Gemme, Sancerre, Sury-en-Vaux, Thauvenay, Veaugues, Verdigny et Vinon.

The area is also noted for its goat cheese. The nearby village of Chavignol, which gave its name to the cheese - Crottin de Chavignol - is located on the territory of the commune.

Sights include:

• Belfry of St. Jean, a 16th-century bell tower built by the prosperous merchants of Sancerre; Tour des Fiefs (1390), the lone remaining tower of the feudal chateau; and the ruins of Saint Romble, a medieval church destroyed by the English.
• Jacques Coeur house: 15th-century house owned at one time by Jacques Coeur, financier and royal adviser to King Charles VII.
• Maison des Sancerre: Wine exposition located in 14th–16th-century house with tower.
• Hotel de la Thaumassière: 17th-century house built by César Thaumassière, doctor of Henry II of Bourbon.
• The city is a cobweb of twisted streets with many buildings surviving from the Middle Ages.

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