📍 France

EURE-ET-LOIR: BEAUCE AND CATHEDRAL HERITAGE ROUTES

Gothic spires pierce the sky majestic, stained glass glows jewel-like, cathedral bells ring out. Eure-et-Loir is sacred.

≈ 10
Days
283
Km
9
Stops
📖 5 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Admire Chartres cathedral and its stained glass, visit Maintenon and Anet castles, Châteaudun and its fortress, Illiers-Combray village dear to Proust. Eure-et-Loir, cathedrals and Beauce plains.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Chartres

cathedral majesty glow soar

Chartres - Photo 1Chartres - Photo 2Chartres - Photo 3Chartres - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Notre-Dame Cathedral (UNESCO).
2
Stained glass windows).
3
Banks of the Eure.
4
Château de Maintenon.
🎯

Activities

→
Chartres in lights (April-October).
→
Medieval houses.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21.9 km
Travel time: 44min
2
Day

Maintenon

aqueduct heritage stone arch

Maintenon - Photo 1Maintenon - Photo 2Maintenon - Photo 3Maintenon - Photo 4Maintenon - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Unfinished aqueduct.
2
Royal chapel (necropolis).
3
Château d'Anet (Diane de Poitiers).
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Eure.
→
Castle park.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29.9 km
Travel time: 1h
3
Day

Dreux

royal chapel crown tower

Dreux - Photo 1Dreux - Photo 2Dreux - Photo 3Dreux - Photo 4Dreux - Photo 5Dreux - Photo 6Dreux - Photo 7Dreux - Photo 8Dreux - Photo 9Dreux - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Renaissance).
2
Chapel.
3
Château Saint-Jean.
🎯

Activities

→
History of the Renaissance.
→
Huisne Valley.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 18.9 km
Travel time: 38min
4
Day

Anet

château renaissance stone beauty

Anet - Photo 1Anet - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Laurent Church.
2
Medieval and Renaissance castle.
3
Foulon Caves.
🎯

Activities

→
Panorama over the Loir valley.
→
Festivals.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 97.6 km
Travel time: 1h38
5
Day

Nogent Le Rotrou

castle town crown tower

Nogent Le Rotrou - Photo 1Nogent Le Rotrou - Photo 2Nogent Le Rotrou - Photo 3Nogent Le Rotrou - Photo 4Nogent Le Rotrou - Photo 5Nogent Le Rotrou - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Fortified gates.
2
"Beauce Venice".
3
Aunt Léonie's House (Proust).
🎯

Activities

→
Walk through the old town.
→
Proustian route.
→
"In Search of Lost Time".
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 61.7 km
Travel time: 1h02
6
Day

Chateaudun

fortress tower majesty stone

Chateaudun - Photo 1Chateaudun - Photo 2Chateaudun - Photo 3Chateaudun - Photo 4Chateaudun - Photo 5Chateaudun - Photo 6Chateaudun - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Pré Catelan.
2
Medieval covered market.
3
Old town.
🎯

Activities

→
Agricultural Beauce.
→
Festivals.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 17.1 km
Travel time: 34min
7
Day

Bonneval

medieval walls stone preserve

Bonneval - Photo 1Bonneval - Photo 2Bonneval - Photo 3Bonneval - Photo 4Bonneval - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Abbey.
2
Fortified gates.
3
"Beauce Venice".
🎯

Activities

→
Canals.
→
Walk through the old town.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21.5 km
Travel time: 43min
8
Day

Illiers Combray

proust village heritage charm

Illiers Combray - Photo 1Illiers Combray - Photo 2Illiers Combray - Photo 3Illiers Combray - Photo 4Illiers Combray - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Aunt Léonie's House (Proust).
2
Pré Catelan.
3
Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Proustian route.
→
"In Search of Lost Time".
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14.3 km
Travel time: 29min
9
Day

Brou

chapel flamboyant glow stone

Brou - Photo 1Brou - Photo 2Brou - Photo 3Brou - Photo 4Brou - Photo 5Brou - Photo 6Brou - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval covered market.
2
Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Agricultural Beauce.
→
Market.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 8 and 12 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.