The 10 Best Things to do in Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its high-Gothic art and architectural style.

Un édifice « Royal » Érigée en 1816 à l’emplacement de l’ancienne forteresse des Comtes de Dreux, la Chapelle Saint-Louis de Dreux abrite les sépultures de la Famille de Bourbon-Orléans. Le premier édifice élevé dans un style néo-classique par la duchesse d’Orléans, est ultérieurement agrandi par son fils le Roi Louis-Philippe, dans le style néo-gothique Un exceptionnel ensemble de gisants À partir de 1830, la chapelle Saint-Louis de Dreux devient la nécropole de la Maison de France. Les gisants de la famille du Roi Louis-Philippe sont commandés aux plus grands noms de la sculpture funéraire du XIXe siècle : Millet, Barre, Lenoir, Pradier et Mercié. C’est ce dernier qui exécute le mausolée du roi et de la reine Marie-Amélie. Le parcours de visite parmi ces tombeaux permet d’évoquer les heures et les malheurs des membres de la Famille de Bourbon-Orléans qui traversent les tumultes du XIXe siècle. Et des vitraux remarquables

Natural caves dug there for millions of years by rainwater, these caves were inhabited since prehistoric times. Outstanding geological site, real open book on the history of the Earth, they are the only and unique caves in the world where you can watch thousands of geodes giant sea You can discover the KT layer: stratum of the extinction of dinosaurs ago 65 million years.

Standing some 60 metres above the Loir valley, the Château features a rare succession of medieval, Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements including two open staircases overlooking the courtyard. The beautifully preserved interior houses a fine collection of tapestries. The Gothic Sainte-Chapelle, built by Dunois, contains some outstanding sculpted statues. A mediaeval kitchen garden has recently been laid out at the foot of the main keep to illustrate how herbs and spices were used in the cuisine and medicines of the Middle Ages. Open: > 2nd May to 30th June: from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. > 1st July to 4th September: from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6.15 p.m. > 5th September to 30th April: from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Last admission 1 hour before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 7,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups

The castle of Saint-Jean dominates the town and is a fine example of medieval architecture and of the history of Nogent-le-Rotrou. The rectangular keep is 30 metres high and is 60 metres above the Huisne valley. Its construction began in the first years of the 11th century after the first Lord of Nogent, Rotrou I. The end of 12th century and beginning of the 13th saw the construction of the circular enclosure and 7 defensive towers. The castle of Saint-Jean has withstood many sieges in its time, the most violent was probably in 1428 when the Count of Salisbury burnt the keep and destroyed the inside of the building. In 1624, de Sully became the owner and built the attractive Louis XIII pavilion against the north rampart. The interior has been completely renovated since the 1960s and now houses a local history museum with exhibits and documents about country life in Perche, as well as on the history of the town and the castle. It also houses various temporary exhibitions.