Oenology and geology are linked because the soil type is crucial to determine the wines’ quality, depth and complexity. Sancerrois’ soils are of Jurassic origin: clay-limestone, argilo-siliceous or mainly limestone. During Jurassic period, which extends over 70 million years (from 205 to 135MYA), Sancerre was located in the middle of the seas. The bedrock formed during the Jurassic era is an ideal soil for the vine.
That’s why we follow the Association of Geologists of Sancerrois with whom the Bourgeois Family has set up a partnership, which organizes The Science Festival on October 4th and 5th, 2019, an event that you do not want to miss out on.
This event will be marked by the opening preview of The House of Geology. The House of Geology is sponsored by the famous paleontologist Yves Coppens who discovered the Australopithecus Lucy in 1974. On this occasion, several scientists including Professor Yves Coppens will lead conferences.
Professor Yves Coppens holding a reconstruction of Lucie’s face in his hands
The House of Geology is located in the old quarry that are the caves de la Mignonne in Sancerre, formed during the Oxfordian period which was dated during the Jurassic era. It will offer an immersive tour through Augmented Reality to immerse the visitor in the sea from 160 million years ago in the heart of the dinosaur era. In the same way, strange fossils, tools carved by the first men, reconstructions of different periods of life’s evolution and many other treasures will also be unveiled to the public.
The program will be held on October 4th and 5th, 2019
The program is geared towards young and old alike. The event’s highlight will be the conference of Yves Coppens on Sunday, October 6 at 3:00pm.
Fossil Casting Workshop – 10:00am to 5:00pm
Both young and old alike can make a cast from fossils discovered in the Sancerrois and the Netherlands dating from 100 to 160 million years ago; a period from the Cretaceous to Jurassic. Free workshop.
Workshop excavation – 10:00am to 5:00pm
Children will discover fossils buried in the sand of faluns: teeth of sharks, shells, mammals … who have been waiting for 30 million years. Free workshop.
Conferences
Saturday October 5th at 2:00pm: Is it possible to rebuild Jurassic Park today? By Koen Stein, paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs.
Saturday 5 October 4:30pm – How was the Loire Valley formed? The origins of Sancerrois, Pays-Fort and Loire. By Nicolas Charles, geologist at the BRGM d’Orléans, author of Val de Loire.
Sunday, October 6 at 3:00pm- The origins of man by Yves Coppens. Conference and dedications.
- Price of a conference: €12 per person
- Price of 3 conferences: €24 per person
- To book: www.geologie-sancerrois.com/fetedelascience or by phone at 06 52 85 30 63
SCIENCE FESTIVAL
House of Geology – Caves de la Mignonne – 18300 Sancerre
Single rate reduced to €3 per person for the opening weekend
www.geologie-sancerrois.com
Phone: +33 6 52 85 30 63