The Château de Maintenon brings two very different design stories into focus: an unfinished aqueduct, Vauban’s only civil engineering project, and a reconstructed French formal garden in the style of Le Nôtre. The contrast between the incomplete grand project and the carefully designed garden offers a distinctive way to explore Eure-et-Loir’s architectural and cultural landscape. The château also holds the Accueil Vélo label as a visitor and leisure site; check the current visitor services before your visit.
Forests, valleys and trails
Across the département, forests, wheat fields, valleys and rural landscapes alternate. Activities include walking trails and cycling loops through the forests of the Perche, the fields of the Beauce, and the valleys of the Eure and Loir. Those interested in larger landscapes will find a varied setting in the Parc naturel régional du Perche: it covers more than 180,000 hectares of oak and beech forests, bocage landscapes, wet meadows, hills and valleys.
The ForĂŞt de Senonches offers walking trails, lakes and streams; its diverse wildlife and plant life are also part of the natural experience. The area is well suited to walking and cycling. The Chemin des louvetiers runs in or along the ForĂŞt domaniale de Senonches. The route is flat, not very difficult and suitable for all audiences.
The Promenade des eaux secrètes offers a different perspective on nature. It follows relatively flat roads through varied scenery along the Eure and the Forêt domaniale de Senonches. The Tourbière des Froux is explored through interpretive information, with peat mosses, royal fern and dragonflies among the subjects covered. This brings both the scenery along the way and distinctive plants and animals into focus.
Cycling routes and landscapes
La Véloscénie is a national cycling route that passes through Chartres and Alençon, connecting historical, religious and natural heritage. The Vallée du Loir à vélo is 320 kilometres long and runs from the source of the Loir near Illiers-Combray to Angers. One route names Chartres and Alençon as stops, while the other can be identified by its length and its course between Illiers-Combray and Angers.
The Loir Valley has a landscape all its own: picturesque villages, vineyards, orchards and cave dwellings define the area. Together with the forests, fields and river valleys, they offer plenty of variety for travellers who prefer spending their time outdoors or discovering different landscapes.
Châteaux, churches and monastic history
The Château de Châteaudun combines medieval, Gothic and Renaissance architecture and houses an important tapestry collection. The complex also includes a Gothic Sainte-Chapelle and a medieval garden themed around medieval cuisine and medicine. Chartres Cathedral tells another chapter of architectural history: it is a World Heritage site and an important example of Gothic architecture in France and Europe.
Thiron-Gardais offers insights into the history of the medieval Order of Tiron: its abbey was the order’s mother house. Themed gardens and a tithe barn are among the ways to experience the abbey. The church in Thiron-Gardais has information panels and offers guided tours by reservation. As reservation conditions may change, check in advance.
The Musée de l'histoire du Perche also combines history with different ways of bringing it to life. It offers visits using augmented or virtual reality, temporary exhibitions, family workshops and children’s trails. Alongside architecture and historic sites, visitors can choose from exhibitions and workshops.
Regional specialities
Regional specialities include pâté de Chartres, sablés de Beauce, goat’s cheese from the valleys of the Eure and the Perche, craft beer and Perche cider. Seasonal fruit and vegetables, local meat products and Belsia crisps are also part of the local food offering. Their names reflect different culinary traditions and landscapes, from the Beauce to the Perche.
Discover more destinations
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, Barjouville, Dampierre-Sur-Avre, Voves, Faverolles, Cloyes-Sur-Le-Loir, Le Coudray, Anet, Oinville-Sous-Auneau, Dangeau, Illiers-Combray, La Chaussée-D'ivry, Vichères, Brou, Thiron Gardais, Épernon, Senonches, Bérou-La-Mulotière, Saint-Rémy-Sur-Avre, Maintenon, Authon-Du-Perche, Sainte-Gemme-Moronval, Luce, Courtalain, Boissy-Lès-Perche, Le Gué-De-Longroi, Bleury-Saint-Symphorien, Houx, La Loupe, Morainville, Luisant, Rouvres, Brunelles, 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, La Puisaye, Montireau, La Bazoche-Gouet, Ermenonville-La-Petite, Saint-Laurent-en-Gâtines, Happonvilliers, Coudray-au-Perche, Champrond-en-Gâtine, Frazé, Montigny-le-Gannelon, Baudreville, Marchéville, Hanches, Chapelle-Guillaume, 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
For the wider travel overview: Centre.
