Épernon / Maintenon

An exceptionally bucolic stage along the Eure Valley, riding beside fields, forests and gently flowing rivers. Start from Epernon, a little town designated a Petite Cité de Caractère® for its history, including the secret of its mummy, to be unearthed… Continue along the charming Drouette River leading to the beautiful Eure River, which guides you to Maintenon. This town boasts a wonderfully romantic château, witness to the secretive love affair between the Sun King, Louis XIV, and Françoise d’Aubigné, better known as Madame de Maintenon.

🚲 Stage description and details:

From Epernon train station, you start this stage cycling along a series of peaceful little roads shared with motorized traffic leading you beside the Drouette River. Then the stage meanders through the Eure Valley up to Maintenon, a stopover town on the Veloscenic cycle route. The Château de Maintenon is renowned for serving as a love nest for Louis XIV and Madame de Maintenon. The romantic atmosphere imparted by the French formal gardens and Vauban’s Aqueduct is striking.

⭐ Don’t miss:

• Epernon, designated a Petite Cité de Caractère®, a little town that proves a delight to wander around, exploring the historic centre and area around the church. Plus, will you solve the mystery of the mummy? 
• Maintenon, its château and splendid gardens in formal French style created in the spirit of André Le Nôtre. Famously, Louis XIV and Madame de Maintenon carried out their romance here, and the romantic atmosphere lives on in the stunning gardens, with Vauban’s Aqueduct forming the backdrop.

🍴 Food and drink en route:

• Epernon: with many stores, plus a market on Tuesday mornings on Place de la Mairie.
• Maintenon: with many stores and a market on Thursday mornings on Place du Château.

💡 Bring up Accueil Velo accredited restaurants by clicking on the 🍴 icon on the map. De-select "only show accueil velo accredited services" to view further possibilities.

🔧 Repair Service:

Consult the list of all the bike repairers along or near the route. 

🚆 Train stations nearby:

• Gare d'Épernon
• Gare de Maintenon

These two stations are located on the regional TER Paris – Chartres line (on which you can take your bike, without dismantling it, for free).

💡 Also see our section on reaching the veloscenic cycle route, including conditions for taking a bicycle on board trains.