Bonneval: History at the beginning of the upper Loir Valley

Bonneval lies in the heart of the Beauce, at the beginning of the upper Loir Valley. Historic buildings and waterways give the town its distinct character: you can explore its architectural history, take a boat trip through the defensive moats, or compare routes on foot and by bike. Bonneval is served by the Tours–Vendôme–Chartres–Paris TER line.

Medieval traces and culture

The Logis des Trois Marchands formerly served as a magistrates’ court and was listed as a historic monument in 1965. Today, the building houses the Espace Culturel Martial Taugourdeau, where works by amateur and professional artists are exhibited. The building’s former function and its present-day cultural use thus come together here.

The 15th-century Porte Saint Roch is a semicircular gateway with round, crenellated towers and loopholes. The Tour du Roi offers a different perspective on the town’s history: the former 13th-century dungeon served as a prison, rises 22 metres above the ground and is nicknamed La Poivrière.

The religious and residential buildings also reveal different periods of construction. The Église Notre-Dame dates from the late 13th century and combines early Gothic features with Romanesque elements from the late 12th century. The large 13th-century Maison du Cheval Blanc preserves remnants of a pointed-arch portal. Its southeast and southwest façades are incorporated into the fortifications; its features include a wooden oriel window and a corner watchtower. Remnants of the abbey church at the former Saint-Florentin Abbey, built in the 12th and 13th centuries, survive with both Romanesque and Gothic forms.

Waterways and canoe trips

At the Capitainerie, visitors can take the helm of small electric boats without a licence. The trips pass through Bonneval’s defensive moats, past jetties and bridges, wash houses, flower-lined banks, dovecotes and moats. This offers another way to take in Bonneval’s historic townscape, along its waterways.

If you’re planning a canoe trip, you can consider the Au fil du Loir route: it is 9.48 kilometres long, starts in Bonneval and ends in Saint-Maur-sur-le-Loir. Along the way, it passes flower-adorned wash houses, fortified gates and the former Saint-Florentin Abbey. The Balade dans les fossés canoe route follows the former medieval town moats. The names and route descriptions help distinguish the trip on the Loir from the route through the former moats.

Exploring on foot and by bike

The Bonneval – La Venise de Beauce circular walk starts at Place Saint Roch. It is rated very easy, is 2.4 kilometres long and follows the defensive moats of the medieval town. For a cycling loop, Sur la route de Trompe-Souris starts at the Capitainerie: the 17-kilometre route follows quiet roads through green countryside.

Another option for cyclists is La Vallée du Loir à vélo. The route reaches Bonneval on the Illiers-Combray–Châteaudun stage and follows small roads signposted Vallée du Loir V47. This provides different details for planning: a short circular walk, a cycling loop with a stated distance, and a signposted stage that reaches Bonneval.

Townscape and market

Bonneval’s historic townscape includes remnants of its medieval fortifications and numerous wash houses. They are a recurring point of reference when exploring the town and its waterside routes. The market in Bonneval offers food, regional products and flowers. Together with the buildings and routes, they provide a range of ways to plan your stay: culture and architecture, a trip on the water, or an outing along a signposted route.

Discover more destinations: Pontgouin, Fessanvilliers-Mattanvilliers, Saint-Maur-sur-le-Loir, Cherisy, Brezolles, Champrond-en-Gâtine, Luisant, Bérou-La-Mulotière.

For the wider travel overview: Eure-Et-Loir.