Eure-et-Loir: Cultural Sites, Forests and Trails

Landscapes on Foot and by Bike

Eure-et-Loir can be experienced through the contrasts between forests, open fields and river valleys. Walking trails and cycling circuits in the département wind through the forests of the Perche, the wheat fields of the Beauce, and the valleys of the Eure and Loir. The Parc naturel régional du Perche covers more than 180,000 hectares. Oak and beech forests, bocage hedgerows, wet meadows, hills and valleys shape this natural area.

The Forêt de Senonches offers walking trails, lakes and streams, as well as a diverse range of flora and fauna; it is well suited to walking and cycling. The Chemin des louvetiers runs in or alongside the Forêt domaniale de Senonches. It is relatively flat, not very difficult and suitable for everyone. Its flat route and low level of difficulty are useful reference points when choosing a walk.

The Promenade des eaux secrètes offers a different perspective on nature. It provides views of the Tourbière des Froux, with peat mosses, royal ferns and dragonflies. At the same time, it follows relatively flat roads through varied scenery along the Eure and the Forêt domaniale de Senonches.

Cycling Routes with Different Highlights

Cyclists can choose between two named routes, each offering a different focus. La Véloscénie is a national cycle route that passes through Chartres and Alençon, connecting historical, religious and natural heritage. The Vallée du Loir à vélo stretches for 320 kilometres from the source of the Loir near Illiers-Combray to Angers. Its length and endpoints give a clear sense of the scale of the route, while La Véloscénie puts the connections between places and their cultural heritage in the foreground.

The Vallée du Loir itself is characterised by picturesque villages, vineyards, orchards and troglodyte houses. Together with its forests, fields and valleys, it forms a varied landscape to explore both on foot and by bike.

Castles, Churches and Museums

At Château de Châteaudun, medieval, Gothic and Renaissance architecture come together. The château also houses an important tapestry collection. Other highlights include a Gothic Sainte-Chapelle and a medieval garden devoted to the themes of cooking and medicine. The architecture, textile art and themed garden offer different perspectives on the ensemble.

At Château de Maintenon, an unfinished aqueduct stands alongside a recreated formal French garden inspired by Le Nôtre. The aqueduct was Vauban’s only civil engineering work. The château holds the Accueil Vélo label for visitor and leisure sites; check the current visitor services before your trip.

Chartres Cathedral has World Heritage status and is an important example of Gothic architecture in France and Europe. Those particularly interested in Gothic architecture can consider it alongside the Sainte-Chapelle at Château de Châteaudun as another notable architectural site.

Thiron-Gardais Abbey was the mother abbey of the medieval Tiron Order. Themed gardens and a tithe barn are part of the visitor experience. There are information panels at the church in Thiron-Gardais; guided visits are available by reservation. As reservation terms may change, check them before your visit.

The Musée de l'histoire du Perche offers visits using augmented or virtual reality, temporary exhibitions, family workshops and children’s trails. This means that, alongside architecture and historic sites, visitors can choose from a range of museum formats.

Regional Specialities

Regional cuisine also brings the area’s varied landscapes and places to the table. Specialities include Pâté de Chartres, Sablés de Beauce, goat’s cheese from the valleys of the Eure and the Perche, craft-brewed beer and Perche cider. Local produce also includes seasonal fruit and vegetables, Belsia crisps and meat from the region. The selection ranges from sweet and savoury specialities to regional drinks.

Discover more destinations: Chateaudun, Gommerville, La Saucelle, Saint-Germain-Le-Gaillard, Boncourt, Nonvilliers-Grandhoux, Nogent-Le-Rotrou, Montreuil, Margon, Mainvilliers, Le Tronchet, Flacey, Dreux, Donnemain-Saint-Mamès, Chartres, Chandelles, Beauche, Moléans, Saint-Arnoult-Des-Bois, Ardelu, Maisons, Bailleau-L'évêque, Tréon, Lanneray, Manou, Arrou, Bonneval, Saint-Maixme-Hauterive, Yèvres, Rueil-La-Gadelière, Unverre, Cherisy, Montireau, La Puisaye, La Bazoche-Gouet, Ermenonville-La-Petite, Coudray-au-Perche, Baudreville, Marchéville, Hanches, Chapelle-Guillaume, Happonvilliers, Saint-Laurent-en-Gâtines, Charonville, Vaupillon, Fessanvilliers-Mattanvilliers, Champagne, Fontenay-sur-Eure, Saint-Maur-sur-le-Loir, Havelu, Ouarville, Sainville, Saint-Lubin-de-la-Haye, Thivars, Denonville, Auneau, Ver-lès-Chartres, Saint-Denis-d'Authou, Montigny-sur-Avre, Mézières-en-Drouais, Le Mesnil-Simon, Nogent-le-Roi, Langey, Béthonvilliers, Pontgouin, Saint-Jean-de-Rebervilliers, Brezolles, Saint-Lucien, Barjouville, Voves, Faverolles, Cloyes-Sur-Le-Loir, Le Coudray, Anet, Oinville-Sous-Auneau, Dangeau, Luisant, Rouvres, Brunelles, Sainte-Gemme-Moronval, Illiers-Combray, La Chaussée-D'ivry, Vichères, Brou, Thiron Gardais, Épernon, Senonches, Bérou-La-Mulotière, Saint-Rémy-Sur-Avre, Maintenon, Authon-Du-Perche, Luce, Courtalain, Boissy-Lès-Perche, Le Gué-De-Longroi, Bleury-Saint-Symphorien, Houx, La Loupe, Morainville, Dampierre-Sur-Avre, Frazé, Montigny-le-Gannelon, Champrond-en-Gâtine

See the broader travel overview: Centre.