Senonches: State Forest, Weekly Market and Heritage

Senonches brings together nature, local history and a regular market, offering a range of reasons to visit. At its heart is the state forest, with marked circular trails; in town, the château, fortified church and digital tour add to the cultural programme. Seasonal leisure activities and fishing opportunities at Lac Arthur Rémy round out the offer. When planning a hotel stay, consider whether forest trails, history or specific activities should be the focus of your trip.

State Forest and Themed Visits

The Senonches state forest covers 4,283.38 hectares. Ten marked circular trails run through it, ranging from 4.6 to 42.3 kilometres in length. The shortest and longest routes differ by 37.7 kilometres—a considerable difference in distance. At 600 metres, the Sentier de l’Orée du bois is much shorter than the circular trails, the shortest of which is 4.6 kilometres. This path, created by the ONF, is accessible to all visitors. It features ten themed stations with playful and informative signs. There is also a car park and a picnic area at the Sentier de l’Orée du bois.

The Château de Senonches offers a family-oriented, interactive and educational visit focused on the forest ecosystem and the distinctive features of the state forest. This lets you explore the forest theme not only on a trail, but also during a visit to the château. Check visitor information before your trip.

Discover Local History

The Église Notre-Dame de Senonches is a fortified church that was incorporated into the town’s defensive system. The château offers a different historical perspective: Hugues II had it built in the early 12th century on the site of a castle that had previously been completely destroyed. A digital tour invites visitors to discover 15 notable buildings in the town. The two buildings thus reflect different aspects of local history: the church’s role in the town’s defences and the château’s construction on the site of an earlier castle.

Friday Weekly Market

The traditional market in Senonches, typical of the Perche region, takes place every Friday morning from 08:00 to 13:00, all year round. Stallholders include cheesemongers, butchers, charcutiers, fishmongers, poultry sellers, pastry chefs, fruit and vegetable sellers, and market gardeners. If you want to visit the market, Friday morning is the time to set aside. It is a good idea to check the schedule before travelling.

Seasonal Activities and Practical Planning

The seasonal leisure centre, organised by the Communauté de Communes des Forêts du Perche, has been based at Senonches football stadium since 2021 and operates temporarily each summer. Activities include inflatable play structures, pedal go-karts and laser rifle shooting, as well as giant board games, table football, table tennis, badminton, a trampoline and Mölkky. The seasonal programme of individual activities may vary.

Fishing is permitted at Lac Arthur Rémy all year round, using conventional methods or a belly boat. The lake is classified as a category 2 fishing water and has the “Parcours Famille” label. Check the applicable rules before fishing.

Senonches is served by RÉMI bus routes 10 to Chartres and 25 to Dreux. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Maisons, Béthonvilliers, Unverre, Flacey, Montigny-sur-Avre, Moléans, Saint-Germain-Le-Gaillard, Dreux

For the overview of the wider area: Eure-Et-Loir.