Authon-Du-Perche: Heritage and Landscapes in the Perche

Authon-du-Perche can be explored through its local history, religious cultural objects and varied landscapes. The historic centre is laid out in concentric circles on the slopes of a hill; a historical walking tour, named routes and the Site de la Goguerie nature and leisure area each offer a different focus. If you would like to compare historic town layouts with routes through meadows or woodland during your trip, Authon-du-Perche offers several ways to do so.

Townscape and Religious History

The historic centre of Authon-du-Perche dates from the 16th and 19th centuries. It is laid out in concentric circles on the slopes of the hill and was once surrounded by moats. The layout describes the shape of the centre; the moats belong to its earlier history. This allows you to consider the spatial structure and the town’s recorded history as two distinct aspects.

The Church of Saint-André houses a 17th-century monstrance made of gilded silver, classified as a protected cultural object. It is a specific example of religious art in the town. There was also a Protestant temple at the corner of rue Basse and ruelle de la Croix-Blanche, which was in use from 1606 to 1685. This time span clearly places its use in the past. The site of the Saint-Lubin chapel also has a long history of religious construction.

Historical Themes and Getting There

Since 2024, the historical walking tour in Authon-du-Perche has included a total of 23 information panels about the history of Authon-du-Perche, Soizé and Saint-Lubin-des-5 fonts. Its thematic scope therefore extends beyond Authon-du-Perche: the panels include two other named places. If you would like to explore local history in a broader context, this three-town perspective is a distinctive focus of the tour.

The historical route “Authon-du-Perche au fil des siècles” can be reached from Nogent-le-Rotrou by bus on line 44. If you plan to use this travel option, check the current timetable before setting off. An interactive game for families and children is offered in connection with the route via the “Piste & trésor” app. This combines the historical theme with an activity specifically offered for families and children.

Landscapes and Routes in the Perche

The Site de la Goguerie is a nature and leisure area in the hills of the Perche, surrounded by gently sloping meadows and close to the town centre. It offers convenient access to a fishing pond. The meadows, hillside setting and pond give this attraction a different focus from the town’s historical stops.

The Saint Lubin-des-Cinq-Fonts walking route passes through sunken lanes in the bocage and along woodland paths to a place where five springs of supposedly beneficial water once flowed. The hamlet of Saint-Lubin-des-Cinq-Fonts was named in honour of Saint Lubin and because of the many springs in the surrounding area. The name thus brings together a religious connection and the springs in the area.

The “Bois et châteaux” mountain biking route in Authon-du-Perche runs between woodland and grazing land. When comparing the route options, both the type of activity and the landscape are relevant: one is a walking route with sunken lanes, bocage and woodland paths, while the other is a mountain biking trail between forest and pastureland. This lets you assess the two descriptions according to different interests.

“La Rando du Facteur” is also listed as an event with a specific historical reference: at its 13th edition in Authon-du-Perche in 2025, three marked routes of 5, 10 and 13 km were offered, as in previous years. The three distances give a concrete sense of the route options available at the time.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Denis-d'Authou, Luisant, Baudreville, La Saucelle, Saint-Lubin-de-la-Haye, Le Tronchet, Champagne, Anet

For the broader travel overview: Eure-Et-Loir.