Epernon

Epernon is a small town in the Eure-et-Loir department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region, set along the Drouette river close to the border with the Yvelines. Its old town retains traces of its medieval past, notably the Tour de Beauce, a remnant of a former fortified castle, along with the Saint-Pierre church. The town enjoys a rural, wooded setting, not far from the Rambouillet forest, popular for walking and cycling. Its location makes it a convenient base for exploring several nearby attractions, including Maintenon Castle with its unfinished aqueduct, the town of Rambouillet and its château, and Chartres, around thirty kilometres away, home to its UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral. Epernon retains the feel of a quiet market town, with local shops and a regular market. It is served by the railway line linking Paris to Chartres, making it easy to reach the capital or the Perche area. Set between the open Beauce plain and wooded valleys, the surroundings suit a peaceful stay focused on nature and local heritage rather than a highly developed tourist offering.