Bonneval lies in the heart of the Beauce, at the start of the upper Loir Valley. Its historic townscape preserves remains of medieval fortifications and numerous wash houses. Boat trips and routes along quiet roads offer more ways to explore the town. The Tours–Vendôme–Chartres–Paris TER line serves Bonneval. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for this route on your travel date.
Traces of different centuries
The 15th-century Porte Saint Roch is a semicircular gate with round, crenellated towers and loopholes. The Logis des Trois Marchands once served as a justice of the peace court and was classified as a historic monument in 1965. Today, it houses the Espace Culturel Martial Taugourdeau, where exhibitions by amateur and professional artists are held.
The Tour du Roi is a former 13th-century dungeon that rises 22 metres above the ground and served as a prison. The tower is also known as La Poivrière. The Église Notre-Dame dates from the late 13th century; it combines early Gothic features with Romanesque elements from the late 12th century. The buildings therefore reveal different periods and functions.
Remains of the abbey church of the former Abbey of Saint-Florentin, built in the 12th and 13th centuries, have survived, combining Romanesque and Gothic forms. The Maison du Cheval Blanc also dates from the 13th century. The remains of a pointed-arch portal can be seen. Its southeast and southwest façades are integrated into Bonneval’s fortifications; other features include a wooden oriel window and a corner watchtower.
Bonneval from the water
At the Capitainerie, visitors can steer small electric boats themselves without a licence. The trips pass through Bonneval’s fortified moats, by jetties, bridges, wash houses, flower-lined riverbanks, dovecotes and moats. The moats and their riverside features are themselves part of the route.
The “Au fil du Loir” canoe route is 9.48 kilometres long, starts in Bonneval and ends in Saint-Maur-sur-le-Loir. Along the way, it passes flower-lined wash houses, fortified gates and the Abbey of Saint-Florentin. Another canoe route, “Balade dans les fossés”, runs through Bonneval’s former medieval town moats.
On foot and by bike
The “Bonneval – La Venise de Beauce” circular route starts at Place Saint Roch, is 2.4 kilometres long and is rated very easy. It follows the fortified moats of the medieval town. Its stated distance and rating offer clear guidance for anyone wishing to explore Bonneval on foot.
For a bike ride, the 17-kilometre “Sur la route de Trompe-Souris” loop starts at the Capitainerie. It follows quiet roads through green landscapes. The “La Vallée du Loir à vélo” cycle route reaches Bonneval on the Illiers-Combray–Châteaudun stage and follows small roads signposted “Vallée du Loir V47”. This offers a choice of different types of route: a stated walking-loop distance and two cycling routes.
Market and local produce
The market in Bonneval is devoted exclusively to the sale of food, regional products and flowers. No specific market day is given here; if you plan to visit the market, check the dates before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Mainvilliers, Courtalain, Moléans, Saint-Lucien, Barjouville, Boissy-Lès-Perche, Sainte-Gemme-Moronval, Maintenon.
For the broader travel overview: Eure-Et-Loir.
