Nicknamed the Little Venice of Beauce, Bonneval is a medieval town full of charm, as illustrated by its fortifications and its beautiful houses reflected in the waters of the Loir River. After walking around the moat, visitors can take a look inside Notre-Dame Gothic church, admire the architecture of the former Saint-Florentin abbey, which today houses a hospital complex, and go for a trip on an electric boat.
Bonneval is a town in Eure-et-Loir, in the Center-Loire Valley region, 33 km south of Chartres.
Nicknamed the little Venice of the Beauce due to the meanders and loops that form the Loir on its territory (the river flows even in the ditches that adjoin the old fortifications!), The city developed since the Middle Ages after the foundation of An abbey in the ninth century wanted by King Charles of Provence, descendant of Charlemagne. Many testimonies of this era synonymous with prosperity and power have been preserved, which makes Bonneval a true open-air museum.
Bonneval, with its Station Verte label, offers a wide range of sports and leisure facilities, with a population of around 5,000, with several economic activities beyond its historic core. It is a step of choice for those who want to discover or recharge their batteries in the region.
A discovery of the city logically begins with the building that contributed to its influence, the former Benedictine abbey Saint-Florentin-and-Saint-Hilaire, founded in 857. Initially dedicated to the saints Peter and Marcellin, the abbey changed Appellation following the transfer of the relics of Saint Florentin and Saint Hilaire, an operation during which miracles took place on the journey, reports tradition. The abbey suffered from Norman invasions and was burnt down in the tenth century, but it was rebuilt and placed in 1110 under the protection of Louis VI. The twelfth and thirteenth centuries marked its apogee but the abbey was again burnt down during the Hundred Years' War (15th century). Renovated, it is then impacted during the wars of Religion. The buildings were not rebuilt until 1660. But under the Revolution, the building was damaged and even transformed into a factory. The site now houses a psychiatric facility. The abbey house restored at the end of the nineteenth century in its primitive style and the fortified gateway are the ultimate witnesses of the abbey splendor.
In the middle of the medieval part of the city, you can also visit the house of the Cheval Blanc, a 13th-century house where you can see the remains of an ogival porch. The south-eastern and south-western facades are as inlaid in the fortifications of the city and their openings are crenellated. In addition, there remains a corner watch.
There is also the home of the Three Merchants (13th century), former enclosure of justice then included in a larger building.
The Saint-Roch gate (15th century), with a partially circular gate flanked by round towers adorned with battlements and loopholes, and the King's Tower, an old 13th century keep Was included in the fortifications and served as a prison.
In addition to the charm of alleys, old buildings and other bridges and laundries, the ultimate must-see site for a walk in the city is the impressive Notre-Dame church (65 m high) Of the end of the thirteenth century. It is essentially a pure Gothic style, but the lower parts of the bedside and the windows of the collaterals evoke the Romanesque style of the end of the 12th century. This is why it is considered contemporary of the cathedral of Chartres. Around the main of the three naves, a gallery with pointed arches is distinguished by the balance of its lines. Most of the stained-glass windows date from the restoration of the church at the end of the 19th century, except for the more recent stained-glass windows which represent the Lourdes cave, the Black Virgin, or Saint Teresa. The church also houses two paintings from the former refectory of the abbey (including a copy of a painting by Nicolas Poussin).
The whole of this patrimony can be visited on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, in order to find the charm of the medieval city along the picturesque streets. Brochures, plans and information on +33 2 37 47 21 93.
More original, the city can be discovered since the course of the Loir on small electric boats (no license necessary). Open from April to September (from 2 pm to 6 pm on weekends and public holidays in April and May and every day from June to September from 2 pm to 6 pm). : +33 6 22 91 63 82).
A variant: sailing on the Loir and canoeing: information on +33 2 37 96 26 78.
For hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding from Bonneval (or including the city), please call +33 2 37 84 01 00.
On the other hand, the new Océanide aquatic center has a 25-meter pool for sports enthusiasts, a fun pool with a counter-current river and a diving area. And for the farniente, a grassed beach! Admission: 2,30 and 4,60 euros. Information on +33 2 37 44 67 40.
Finally, the small Venice of the Beauce can also offer small corners of paradise to the fishermen... Information on +33 2 37 34 28 93.
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To discover the products of the rich terroir Beauceron, two markets take place in the heart of the medieval city, near the church. On Monday mornings there are early marketers, market gardeners, butchers and all itinerant shops... On Saturday morning, the market is reserved for the sale of food products, local products and flowers.
On the Monday of Pentecost (in May or June), sellers of merchandise and rural activities (parade of old tractors, local market)...
On the last Saturday of August, Bouchon is a parade of old cars in the city center (with extras in costumes).
On the last Sunday of August, the Saint Gilles fair offers a flea market and fun and musical entertainment in the historic heart of the city.
