Mondoubleau lies in the southern Perche, also known as Perche Vendômois. The town brings together several historical periods: a fortress built around 1010, a half-timbered house dating to around 1460, a church with a history spanning the 12th to the 19th century, and a bridge from the 19th century. There are also signposted trails, the Prés Barrés green space along the Grenne, and a Saturday market. You can therefore organise your visit around culture, walks and local produce according to your own interests.
Fortress and Half-Timbered House
Around 1010, Hugues Doubleau had a mighty stone fortress built from flint and Roussard sandstone on a small hill in Mondoubleau. The structure was dominated by a 33-metre-high keep. Roussard sandstone was used for the fortress around 1,000 years ago, making the material part of its history, alongside the striking keep.
The Maison du Gouverneur was built around 1460 as a half-timbered house. Its timber framing has a pavilion-style hipped roof and diamond-shaped timber joints. While the fortress is centred on massive stone construction, the roof shape and timber framework of the Maison du Gouverneur draw attention to a different building method. Those interested in architecture can find distinct details here: the fortress’s materials and the half-timbered house’s construction.
Saint-Denis and the Pont vrillé
The Church of Saint-Denis dates from the 12th century and was restored in the 16th century. It also has a fine collection of 19th-century stained-glass windows. Its construction, restoration and windows thus offer three different historical points of reference. The church is open all day, every day; check visitor information before your trip. Père Boulle offers guided tours on request. If you would like a tour, confirm the arrangements before your visit.
The Pont vrillé was built between 1830 and 1835. Its semicircular arch is made of dressed Roussard sandstone. Here the material appears in a different structural form than at the fortress: there, Roussard is part of the stone fortress construction; at the bridge, it forms the described arch. When exploring the history of the buildings, you can therefore compare not only their dates but also how the material was used.
Trails and Landscape
The “Roussard” circular hiking trail is one of three signposted walking routes in Mondoubleau. The “Circuit promenade entre ville et campagne” walking route offers views of the historic old town. The descriptions thus highlight different aspects: one is a signposted hiking trail, while the other focuses on views of the old town centre. You can choose according to which of these appeals more for your planned stay.
Along the Grenne lies the Prés Barrés, a green space at risk of flooding where construction is prohibited. This information about the landscape adds a local context to the buildings and trails described. The area is characterised by its location along the Grenne, its flood risk and the prohibition on building.
Markets and Planning Your Stay
The Saturday Percheron market is a food and arts-and-crafts market featuring a range of local producers. Two annual fairs are also held: one on Whit Monday and the other on the second Monday in October, known as the Saint-Denis market. If you would like to plan a market visit as part of your trip, check the dates before setting off so you can schedule your stay for the right day.
Guided tours of Saint-Denis are available “on request”; you should also check visitor information for the church and the market dates before your trip. This lets you choose your travel dates to suit your interests, without assuming a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Landes-le-Gaulois, Tour-En-Sologne, Chaumont-Sur-Tharonne, Montoire-Sur-Le-Loir, Vineuil, Saint-Bohaire, Mur-De-Sologne, Seigy.
For the full travel guide: Loir-Et-Cher.
