The 13 things to do in the Eure-et-Loir

Are you about to visit the Eure-et-Loir? Discover the must-see in this department for exceptional holidays

Located one hour south-west of Paris, the Eure-et-Loir is not particularly laughing with tourist activity. And yet, this department is full of more interesting centres of interest than others. Visit the cathedral of Chartres and its medieval district, explore the castles of the region, hike along the paths of Compostela or take height during a balloon flight.

Whether for a day, a weekend or an extended holiday, discover the must-sees to do in the Eure-et-Loir.

1. Chartres

Come visit the Eure-et-Loir and its prefecture, Chartres. During your stay, you will not be able to pass next to its imposing cathedral that dominates the entire city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral is a masterpiece of architecture.

In her womb, you will discover the largest collection of medieval windows in the world. Chartres is also known for its glass compositions since it hosts the International Centre for Stained glass. Once in the cathedral, don’t forget to climb up the top of the north tower to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.

Between April and September, once the night fell, the city illuminates completely during the Chartres en Lumières event. On this occasion, admire the monuments of the city under a play of breathtaking lights. A show not to be missed!

During your visit to Eure and Loir, you will be pleased to stroll through the medieval Chartres district with its paved alleys and shaded houses. You can also visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the House Picassiette.

2. The caves of Foulon

Go back in time during your stay in Eure-et-Loir by visiting the Foulon Caves. Naturally drilled 90 million years ago, the caves transport you on a course of more than 10,000 square meters. From the Prehistory, the places were inhabited by the men of Paleolithic. Inside, you will discover the silex tools used 300,000 years ago.

It is an underground world that offers itself to you; galleries, giant pots, large halls, pillars, etc. You will even discover the stratum dating the disappearance of the dinosaurs, 60 million years back. Other surprises are reserved for you with geological discoveries. For example, in 2010, giant bones were discovered and are exposed to Foulon caves.

At the end of your visit, the places light up for the pleasure of your eyes. Unique in the world, the caves of Foulon present you marine geodes with fingerprints of marine animals crystallized in Quartz and Calcedoine.

3. The Perche Natural Park

What to do in the Eure-et-Loir in the middle of nature? The Perche Regional Natural Park is an excellent idea. Located between the Loire and Normandy, Perche offers a totally preserved nature. A walking, cycling or even horse riding, all the possibilities are available to you.

If you want to disconnect for a few days, don’t hesitate to take your tent for a camping in the middle of nature. Furnished cabins are also present throughout the Perche Park for an unprecedented experience. One thing is safe, the park is the ideal place to relax.

After your hike, don’t hesitate to visit the small villages around the corner. Local markets and village parties await you for a convivial moment. On this occasion you can admire the Percheron horse or taste the cider and local products.

In addition to its omnipresent nature, Perche Park is also a place of culture. Manor houses, castles, gardens and abbeys testify to the centuries past.

4. Les Châteaux de l’Eure et Loire

Châteaudun Castle

Visiting the Eure-et-Loir is going to discover more impressive castles than others. Let’s start with the castle of Châteaudun, which was the residence of Jean de Dunois, a companion of arms Jeanne d’Arc .

The so-called Orléans bastard also transformed this medieval castle into a comfortable and luminous place of life. From 1450 François II d’Orléans-Longueville continued the transformation of the castle by adding a Renaissance decoration. It is the beginning of the large castles of the Loire Valley.

Today, the building is simply spectacular. Overlooking the Loir, it mixes gothic, medieval and Renaissance architectures. Inside, you can admire an impressive collection of tapestries. In the Gothic Sainte-Chapelle, you will be dazzled by the statuary. And at the foot of the dungeon, it is the medieval garden that will enchant you.

Castle of Maintenon

Direction the city of Maintenon to visit the castle. The house is especially famous for welcoming Madame de Maintenon, second wife of King Louis XIV. His story is a worthy of a novel. Of his true name, Françoise d’Aubigné, Madame de Maintenon was widow of Scarron and ruler of the illegitimate sons of the Sun King.

When the first wife of the absolute Monarch died, she became her wife in 1683. Madame de Maintenon became owner of the castle thanks to the financial assistance of Louis XIV. It left a mark still palpable today.

The decoration of the castle is strongly inspired by Palace of Versailles with his galleries. During your visit to the Eure-et-Loir, don’t miss the impressive gardens of the castle. First drawn at the time of King Sun, it was only in 2013 that they were made. In the background, you can admire the Vauban aqueduct and the exceptional landscapes surrounding it.

Château d’Anet

The castle of Anet was built in 1548 by Henri II for his mistress Diane de Poitiers. Having a very strong influence on the king, she involves the greatest artists of the time for the construction of the castle of her dreams.

Come and visit the Eure-et-Loir and discover the home and all the objects that belonged to Diane de Poitiers. Explore the funeral chapel where she rests with her impressive Greek cross and her friend deceives her eye. At the entrance you will be amazed by the imposing portal where there is a clock indicating the phases of the moon.

Today, Anet Castle is a family home. The owners offer guided or free tours to discover one of the jewels of the Renaissance.

Château de Frazé

Come and visit the Eure-et-Loir and the imposing Château de Frazé which stands out for a plurality of times and styles. Originally, the fortress was built on a feudal motte. It was destroyed during the Hundred Years War and rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century. The remains of this era are still visible today, such as the Saint-François Tower, its white stones and its rope.

From the 16th, a Renaissance building was added to the building. In the following centuries, new constructions began. All around the castle, a huge park and French gardens will dazzle you.

5. A flight to Montgolfière

What to do in the Eure-et-Loir except for castles and hikes? If you want to take a bit of height, it’s time to fly to Montgolfière. A few meters above the ground you can admire the meadows, castles and villages with a totally different angle.

The flight to Montgolfière remains a very gentle activity accessible to all. You are transported by the wind to discover exceptional landscapes. The journey begins with the swelling of the balloon where you see the balloon form. If you wish, you can participate in its implementation by listening to the instructions of the monitors.

When the ball is ready, it is time to take place in the ball for immediate takeoff. Once in the air, the impression of being alone in the world invades you. At your feet you rediscover places that you have admired from the firm earth; the castle of Maintenon, the park of Perche, the city of Chartres, etc.

6. The wheat road in Beauce

Come and visit the Eure-et-Loir and its unmissable wheat road in Beauce. The Beauce is a territory dotted with windmills. From the dormers, you can discover the horizon that extends to the infinite and plunge into the life of the millers. The cadastres are not far from 300 windmills in Beauce. These have been installed since the 11th century.

Today, only about ten of them are still active. The best known being the grand mill of Ouarville. Made entirely of oak, it will impress you with its 14-metre wings and 1,200-kilometre wheels. To preserve this cultural and historical heritage, the Beauce Mills Association works to restore them.

In addition to the mills, Beauce is also castles, gentillhommières, painted churches, farms and wind turbines. Depending on periods, different events animate the region; the wool fair, the medieval feast, etc.

7. Bonneval

Let's stay in Beauce to discover Bonneval. This city that is also called the “Vice of the Beauce” is a true treasure for the eyes. In the heart of the city, water is abundant there with the Loir which flows into the ditches. You can visit Bonneval on foot or from the river. Rent an electric boat or kayak canoe for a refreshing walk.

Back on the farmland, it is a medieval village that awaits you. The city was built around the Abbey of Saint-Florentin dating from the year 857. Still today, several elements of the Middle Ages remain, such as the Saint-Roch Gate, the King’s Tower, or wash them.

8. A hike on the paths of Compostela

En route to Santiago de Compostela for a spiritual pilgrimage. During your journey, you may pass through the Eure-et-Loir.

The hostellerie Saint-Yves in Chartres welcomes every year hikers making the way between Paris and Tours. This 160-kilometre route takes you to the Eure-et-Loir. On your road you will pass through Epernon, Maintenon, Chartres, Bonneval, Châteaudun and Cloyes-sur-le-Loir.

According to your itinerary, three paths are marked to reach Santiago de Compostela.

9. The products of the terroir

It is impossible to visit the Eure-et-Loir without tasting local products. Whether you're rather sweet or salty, there's something for all tastes.

For the gourmets, enjoy the Beauce Cola. This cola is 100% eurélien with water directly from Beauce’s taps and beet sugar coming from the Artenay sugar factory. Another local greed, the Chartrenser, which resembles two leafy sandeds gathered by a delicious salty butter caramel.

And if you prefer salt, the Eure-et-Loir will also treat your taste buds with its Retrodor wand, its Belsia chips composed entirely of Beauce potatoes, its Chartres paste and its potato chicken. On the drink side, the Beauceronne lemonade, the Eurélienne and the Chartres teas are also to be tested.

10. Nogent-le-Rotrou

Visit the Eure-et-Loir and go through the city of Nogent-le-Rotrou. This small village has been labeled “More Beau Détour de France”. Just say it’s worth the detour!

Overlooked by the castle of the Counts of Perche, the village has a very rich heritage. At the top of the Huisne Valley, the fortress offers a spectacular view. The building was once a strategic post of the Kingdom of France against the Normans. Characterized by its rectangular dungeon, the castle is one of the must-sees of the Eure-et-Loir.

Nogent-le-Rotrou is also known for its beautiful residences on the streets of Bourg-le-comte and Saint-Laurent. Every year, a tribute is paid to the Percheron horse during a medieval celebration combining various events and equestrian shows.

11. A bike ride on the roads of the Véloscénie

Want to do a little sport in the Eure-et-Loir? Nothing like a bike ride on the roads of biking. This 450-kilometre route connects Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel passing through the Eure-et-Loire.

Between physical activity and the discovery of exceptional landscapes, the bike ride remains an excellent opportunity to spend a good time with family or friends. Several routes are offered to discover or rediscover the must-sees of the Eure-et-Loir; castles, meadows with a loss of view and small picturesque villages, there are for all tastes.

12. Marcel Proust Museum

The family home of Tante Léonie was marked by the presence of Marcel Proust. This is where the writer came to spend his vacation to write his works.

If you have read the author’s novels, you will discover the environment he describes, between reality and fiction. The house of Léonie reconstitutes the universe of Marcel Proust to plunge you completely into it. Discover your own eyes the flowered garden, the shaded facade, the mosaics, the scenic kitchen or the writing room.

Thanks to the donations and bequests of the artist’s loved ones, an important collection of objects and letters was brought together in the Marcel Proust Museum.

13. Montreuil

Last to visit in the Eure-et-Loir, Montreuil. This small town of 500 inhabitants opens the doors to the forest of Dreux for a moment of escape.

The city also houses the coast of Montreuil on the right bank of Eure. The site will impress you by its steep slopes and its omnipresent greenery. As soon as climate conditions permit, dry limestone lawns host a wide variety of insects and orchids.

How to get to Eure-et-Loir?

The Eure-et-Loir prefecture is Chartres. If you come to visit the department, it is very likely that you pass through this city.

There are several ways to reach the capital of Eure-et-Loir:

• By train: Chartres Station welcomes trains from Paris, Brest and Bordeaux
• By car: Chartres is about an hour from Paris. Just take itA6 towards Bordeaux-Nantes

Where to sleep in Eure-et-Loir?

The Eure-et-Loir offers a wide variety of accommodations; hotels, holiday cottages, apartments in Airbnb , hostels and also campsites.

It is up to you to choose according to your preferences and budget. Here again, you will find a wide variety of prices; accommodation for small budgets and other more luxurious. To find the offer that best suits you, do not hesitate to use a hotel comparison .

You now know everything about this department, pack your bags and go for adventure!