150 km of cycling itinerary from Chartres to Alençon
This section of La Véloscénie leaves Chartres, capital of stained glass and light, via a greenway meandering by the Eure. Then the route crosses the plains that serve as Paris's granary to head for pretty Illiers-Combray, closely associated with the great novelist Marcel Proust. Continuing through the open landscapes of the Beauce Plain, you quickly come to Thiron-Gardais and its abbey grounds, offering a foretaste of the Perche area close by. This remarkable section of La Véloscénie leads you almost all the way on a greenway through the historic, unspoilt province of the Perche. From Condé-sur-Huisne to the Pays d'Alençon, the trail crosses the magnificent undulating territories of the Perche's Regional Natural Park. The lush countryside is strewn with old manors, mills and villages and was the cradle of the famous Percheron horse. Cycling through such idyllic countryside makes the route seem that much easier.
Chartres Cathedral
In the heart of the Beauce region, Chartres and its cathedral are illuminated every night from 14 April to 13 October. It is a spectacular night-time tour of the city: 24 monuments are illuminated and set to music every night until 1am.
Le Perche: land of beautiful homes
Beautiful homes, farmhouses and manor houses line this cycle route. The buildings in Le Perche, with their warm colours ranging from deep ochre to pink, blend harmoniously into the landscape. On the route, Nogent-le-Rotrou and Mortagne-au-Perche offer a chance to explore the region’s architecture in greater detail. It is worth noting that Le Perche is a must-visit destination in France for antique hunting. People come from all over Europe to unearth the finest furniture and trinkets.
The green hills of Le Perche
A cycle ride through Le Perche is punctuated by numerous panoramic views. Fields and green meadows alternate with wooded hills and orchards. Along the way, you may spot a Percheron, the tireless draught horse emblematic of the region.
Saint-Jean Castle in Nogent-le-Rotrou
The imposing Saint-Jean Castle in Nogent-le-Rotrou is characterised by its 30-metre-high rectangular keep, flanked by seven towers. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, Saint-Jean Castle overlooks the Huisne Valley. In the outer bailey, you can stroll through a medieval and Renaissance interpretive garden featuring edible, aromatic and medicinal plants, as well as ornamental ones.
Map of the cycle route
Map of the cycle route
11 Chartres / Illiers-Combray
12 Illiers-Combray / Thiron-Gardais
13 Thiron-Gardais / Nogent-le-Rotrou
14 Nogent-le-Rotrou / Rémalard
15 Rémalard / Mortagne-au-Perche
16 Mortagne-au-Perche / Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe
17 Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe / Alençon
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