Margon lies in the southern part of the Parc naturel régional du Perche. Here, architectural history and river scenery meet a range of ways to explore the area: the Church of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel stands on a rocky promontory above the old town centre, the Cloche shapes the valley, and the Plan d’eau de La Borde offers a wide range of leisure activities. Visitors looking to combine culture and nature will find several different starting points for their stay in Margon.

Church and milling history

The Church of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel dates back to the 11th century; Romanesque remains in its apse offer a glimpse into its early building history. Its location on the rocky promontory above the old town centre is as much a part of the town’s character as the traces of its former mills. There is also a distinctive historic instrument inside the church: the romantic-style organ was built in 1902 by Abbé Tronchet, the parish priest of Margon and an organ builder.

The restored organ can be heard, and musicians are invited to play it. If you are planning a visit or want to play the instrument yourself, confirm the specific arrangements locally. Margon’s industrial history includes three original mills: the Moulin de Beaudolet, the Moulin de la Cave and the Moulin de la Vallée. Two of them still stand on the banks of the Cloche. One mill housed an ice factory from the beginning of the 20th century until the 1960s. The church, mills and history of the ice factory offer different perspectives on the town’s development.

River scenery and trails

The Cloche is a river whose valley is lined with numerous pastures. Cattle and, often, Percheron horses graze there. The Canal d’Arcisses runs alongside the Cloche for about three kilometres. The valley scenery can also be seen on the “Le Val d’Ozée” route, which passes through a hedgerow landscape.

For a shorter walk, consider the “Margon – Le canal d’Arcisses” circular trail: it is 6 km long, takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and is rated very easy. The “La vallée de la Cloche” route associated with Margon takes longer. It is listed as 32.5 km and about three hours. Comparing the distance and duration can help you plan your day without treating the two routes as equivalent.

La Borde and the weekly market

The 23-hectare Plan d’eau de La Borde is situated on the Cloche and the Huisne in the old town centre. The lake was created from a former gravel quarry. The leisure area offers fishing, walks, pedal boating, jogging, nature exploration and children’s games; mountain bike tours also start there. Parking, toilets and picnic tables are available too. This means you can choose from waterside activities, exercise and a place to take a break, all in the same spot.

Another way to get to know Margon is to visit the farmers’ market, “Le Petit Marché de Margon”. It takes place on Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the covered market and brings together producers from the Perche. Check the date again before your visit. An older set of directions follows the D 910 to Chartres and then the D 923 to Margon. Since road conditions and signage can change, it is advisable to check the current route before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Hanches, Montreuil, Brou, Ardelu, Le Mesnil-Simon, Flacey, Thivars, Maintenon.

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