Épernon: History, Stone and Pilgrimage Routes

Épernon combines a layered historical heritage with routes through the landscape of the Eure Valley. Architectural history, the memory of former wine presses and the stone industry sit alongside opportunities for walks. Two long-distance routes also pass through the town or its surrounding area. When planning a stay, you can therefore choose between cultural history, pilgrimage routes and glimpses of the countryside.

Historical Traces and Local Materials

Since 2018, Épernon has held the “Petites Cités de Caractère” designation, which applies at least until 2028. Les Pressoirs is a former wine cellar dating from the 12th century. The Salle des Pressoirs once housed two wooden presses used to extract grape juice from the vineyards cultivated on the slopes. Les Pressoirs also formerly served as a market of its own, where wine, cider and oil were sold. The presses and market illustrate two aspects of earlier wine-growing and trade: processing the grapes and selling a range of products.

The Église Saint-Pierre complex as a whole dates from the 15th century and was built on earlier Romanesque structures; the two dates thus refer to the complex and its older foundations. The Conservatoire des meules et pavés d’Épernon presents the history of the town’s stone industry, including the processing of local stone into paving stones for Parisian boulevards and Haussmann-style buildings. While the church reveals a sequence of different building phases, the Conservatoire draws attention to materials and their processing.

Long-Distance Routes Through the Area

Two long-distance routes give a stay a wider regional dimension. The Véloscénie from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel passes through Épernon. The GR®655, the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela, crosses the area from Épernon to Soulaires and runs along the Eure Valley. The two routes can be viewed at different geographic scales: the Véloscénie foregrounds the connection between Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel, while the GR®655 follows the stretch to Soulaires and the route along the Eure Valley. If you are interested in the Way of St James, Santiago de Compostela is the broader destination; the section near Épernon is defined by Soulaires and the Eure Valley.

Walks, Views and Pilgrims

There are several specific starting points for walks. Part of the meadow at Épernon has been left untouched and now serves as a popular place for walks. The Belvédère de la Diane offers panoramic views over Épernon and its green surroundings. The grounds of the Prieuré Saint-Thomas are also open for walks; the priory welcomes pilgrims. Each place has a different focus: the meadow offers a walking spot amid preserved greenery, the belvedere is all about the view, and the priory grounds combine walks with a place that welcomes pilgrims.

Discover more destinations: Boncourt, Béthonvilliers, Barjouville, Dampierre-Sur-Avre, Fessanvilliers-Mattanvilliers, Sainte-Gemme-Moronval, Senonches, Saint-Lucien.

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