Rueil-La-Gadelière: Château, Vlaminck and cycling route

There are several possible starting points for a stay in Rueil-La-Gadelière: protected buildings, the history of Maurice de Vlaminck, a farm visit or a signposted cycling route. The specific visiting conditions are important when planning your day. At Château de la Gadelière, a guided tour is followed by a self-guided visit; the private Maison Vlaminck can be visited by prior reservation. Farm visits are available during time slots on Fridays and Saturdays, and the times may vary. Check reservation requirements and visiting times in advance; if you are planning a cycling tour, also check route conditions before setting off.

Château and protected buildings

A visit to Château de la Gadelière includes a 30-minute guided tour, followed by a self-guided visit to the church, garden and park on the grounds. Opening periods may vary by season, so check in advance whether your preferred visiting period is available.

The listings as historic monuments cover different scopes of protection: the chapel and octagonal dovecote were listed on 13 January 1992, and the château in its entirety on 25 April 2016. Another protected religious building is Église Saint-Denis in Rueil-La-Gadelière, which has been listed as a historic monument since 12 April 1961.

La Gadelière: churches and local history

The church in La Gadelière, dedicated to Saint Martin, dates from the Romanesque period and was restored in the 16th century. Its decorated ceiling and painted walls are among the building’s described features. A small house for the communal bread oven, dating from the 12th century, adds to the hamlet’s historic sites.

As a medieval fortress, La Gadelière had some importance in the defensive system against the English occupation of Verneuil-sur-Avre during the Hundred Years’ War.

Maurice de Vlaminck and La Tourillière

Maurice de Vlaminck settled in La Tourillière in Rueil-La-Gadelière in 1925 and remained there until his death in 1958. The Maison Vlaminck in the hamlet has been designated a Maison des Illustres. It is a private visitor site and can be visited by prior reservation. If you plan to visit, arrange your reservation before travelling.

Other places of remembrance should be considered separately: on municipal grounds in the town hall square, a Vlaminck bust by Paul Belmondo commemorates the painter. Maurice de Vlaminck was buried in the local cemetery. The commune therefore has several connections to him, while a visit to the Maison requires a prior reservation.

Farm visit and cycling route

Ferme du Bois Normand produces its own goat’s cheese from Alpine goats. A free farm visit is offered during opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m.; these times may vary. Check visiting times in advance to make sure the farm visit fits your stay.

The signposted départementale cycling route L’Avre à vélo (V300) passes through Rueil-La-Gadelière. If you are planning a tour, check route conditions before setting off.

Water connections in Rueil-La-Gadelière

The Sources de la Vigne in Rueil-La-Gadelière help supply water to the Avre Aqueduct. This adds another local connection to the area’s architectural and biographical history: the link between the springs and the aqueduct’s water supply.

Discover more destinations: La Bazoche-Gouet, Montreuil, La Saucelle, Nogent-Le-Rotrou, Vichères, Saint-Maur-sur-le-Loir, Thiron Gardais, Saint-Germain-Le-Gaillard

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