Eure-et-Loir department
Located in the heart of the Centre-Val de Loire, l'Eure-et-Loir is a department rich in history, heritage and diverse landscapes. Just 90 km west-southwest of Paris, its prefecture, Chartresis famous for its majestic cathedral. Sub-prefectures, Dreux, Châteaudun and Nogent-le-RotrouThe region's rich cultural and historical heritage. Crossed by rivers Eure and LoirThe department offers a variety of landscapes, from the fertile plains of the Beauce to the verdant hills of the Perche.
Must-see tourist sites in Eure-et-Loir
The Eure-et-Loir is home to numerous tourist sites that bear witness to its rich past and cultural diversity. Here is a selection of places not to be missed during your visit.
Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral
Registered with UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chartres Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its remarkable stained glass windows and medieval labyrinth attract over a million visitors every year. The city of Chartres itself is well worth exploring in depth, with its well-preserved historic center and picturesque alleyways.
Maintenon castle
A gift from Louis XIV to Madame de Maintenon, this château combines elegance and history. Its unfinished aqueduct, designed to supply water to Versailles, is a fascinating testimony to the royal ambitions of the time.
The Perche Regional Nature Park
Stretching over part of the Eure-et-Loir department, the Perche is a region of gentle hills, dense forests and hidden manor houses. Ideal for nature lovers and hikers, the park also offers the chance to discover the famous Percheron horse.
The Foulon caves
Located in Châteaudun, these caves offer a fascinating journey back in time, with impressive geological formations and marine fossils dating back millions of years.
The Picassiette house
In Chartres, this unique house is decorated with mosaics made from pieces of crockery and glass, creating a singular artistic universe.
Landscapes and towns in Eure-et-Loir
The Eure-et-Loir département offers a mosaic of landscapes and towns that reflect its rich heritage and geographical diversity.
La Beauce
Nicknamed the "breadbasket of France", the Beauce is a vast cereal-growing plain characterized by fields as far as the eye can see. This open landscape offers immense skies and spectacular sunsets.
Le Perche
In the west of the département, the Perche contrasts with the Beauce with its green hills, deep forests and bocages. The region is dotted with manor houses, traditional farms and picturesque villages, offering a peaceful, bucolic setting.
Chartres
In addition to its famous cathedral, Chartres is also known for its historic center, half-timbered houses and quays along the River Eure. The city is also renowned for its stained glass art, and is home to the Centre International du Vitrail.
Dreux
A city of art and history, Dreux boasts a rich heritage, including the Saint-Louis Royal Chapel, the necropolis of the Orléans family, and a lively town center.
Nogent-le-Rotrou
The historic capital of the Perche region, Nogent-le-Rotrou is dominated by the Château Saint-Jean and boasts a rich medieval heritage.
The Centre-Val de Loire region and neighbouring departments
The Eure-et-Loir is surrounded by departments with varied cultural and natural riches, forming a harmonious whole within the Centre-Val de Loire region.
Le Loiret
To the southeast, Loiret is crossed by the Loire and is renowned for its castles, such as Sully-sur-Loire, and its remarkable gardens.
Loir-et-Cher
This department is home to such gems as the Chambord castle and the historic town of Blois. The recent flooding of the Loir in Vendôme also highlighted the solidarity of the local population in the face of natural challenges.
Eure
To the north, theEure offers bucolic landscapes and historic sites such as the Château d'Anet, former residence of Diane de Poitiers.
Yvelines
To the east, Yvelines is famous for its Palace of Versailles and its sumptuous gardens, witnesses to France's royal history.