Free walking tours in Châteaudun and what to see

Must-sees

Châteaudun is in the Eure-et-Loir department, between Chartres and the Loire Valley, and its château looks out from a rocky spur above the River Loir. It is a national monument bringing together three eras: the great 12th-century keep, the Gothic wing built by Jean de Dunois, companion of Joan of Arc, and the Renaissance Longueville wing. Highlights inside are the Sainte-Chapelle, with polychrome statues and a Last Judgement mural, the grand staircases and a collection of 16th- and 17th-century tapestries.

Below the château survives the medieval quarter, with steep streets, old houses and the church of La Madeleine, of Romanesque origin. Further down, by the Loir, are the Grottes du Foulon, natural caves in the limestone. The centre, rebuilt in the 18th century after a great fire, has straight streets and a large square. The town also has a museum of fine arts and natural history.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Châteaudun. What Civitatis offers is a ticket for the château, to explore it at your own pace, from the keep to the tapestry rooms and the chapel. The town is on the route of some regional trips, and it combines well with an independent visit to Chartres.

How long to spend

Allow an hour and a half to two hours for the château. If you add the medieval quarter, the church of La Madeleine and the Grottes du Foulon, you have a relaxed day. With a second day you can see Chartres cathedral or drive along the Loir Valley, with smaller villages and châteaux downstream.

Where to stay

The choice is modest: simple hotels in the centre, near the main square, and guesthouses in the old town and the surrounding area. If you are spending several days in the area, Chartres, a little under an hour away, has much more choice and good rail and road links.