Coudray-au-Perche: Church, Nature and Tradition

The following places and activities offer different highlights. This can help you decide whether you are more interested in historic buildings, plants and landscapes, or specific leisure activities.

Saint-Pierre: Construction Phases and Features

The Church of Saint-Pierre brings together several clearly distinct construction phases. The nave dates from the 12th century and is Romanesque. The choir is higher than the nave and was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The different dates and varying heights make the contrast between the building sections easy to see. A distinctive feature is a stone piscina in the Renaissance style. It is framed by pinnacles with crockets and topped by a curved gable. The statue of Saint Barbara is also in Saint-Pierre. Every year, the church is lavishly decorated for the Fête des laboureurs et des ouvriers.

Manor Houses and Routes

The Manoir de Courcelles dates from the 16th century and includes towers from the 12th century. It overlooks the left bank of the Ronne. The different dates link two historical periods in this building. The Manoir des Basses-Loges can also be visited as part of a route: the “Au pays des fées et des ermites” cycling loop passes by it in Coudray-au-Perche.

For a horseback tour, the “Les manoirs” bridleway starts in Coudray-au-Perche and is 20.5 kilometres long. The two routes offer different points of reference for planning: the riding route has a named starting point and length, while the cycling loop features a building along the way. You can take the type of tour and its particular highlight into account when making your plans.

Natural Areas and Plants

The Richardières area is one of Coudray-au-Perche’s three natural areas. Protected flora grows in the Bois des Mottais, including royal fern and opposite-leaved golden saxifrage. The Bois de Montgraham is a landscape area of high scenic quality; its flora includes marsh fern. The natural features therefore differ: protected plants are a highlight in the Mottais, while Montgraham is notable both for its landscape designation and for the marsh fern.

Fishing at the Plan d'eau du Tertre

The Plan d'eau du Tertre is designated as a fishing spot with a family fishing trail. No-kill fishing rules apply. Rainbow trout and species classified as harmful, such as bullhead catfish, sunfish and American crayfish, are exempt. Boats and float tubes are prohibited. These rules are part of what to know about the fishing spot; bear them in mind if fishing is part of your plans for your stay.

Regional Cuisine and Themed Evenings

The Ferme Auberge de l'Agneau Grillé serves traditional cuisine featuring lamb raised on the farm and produced on site. The restaurant Le Saint Pierre hosts themed evenings. Reservations are required for Friday and Saturday evenings. If dining out is part of your plans, keep this requirement in mind for weekend evenings.

Coudray-au-Perche offers several specific highlights to help you plan a stay: the architectural history of Saint-Pierre, the manor houses along the routes mentioned, distinctive plants and landscapes, and the fishing spot with its rules. Which of these themes matters most to you may also influence your choice of hotel for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Maintenon, Boncourt, Vaupillon, Rouvres, Dampierre-Sur-Avre, Saint-Laurent-en-Gâtines, Nonvilliers-Grandhoux, Happonvilliers.

Go to the regional travel overview: Eure-Et-Loir.