This is the last, really delightful stage before you leave the greater Paris region of Ile-de-France for the département (French county) of Eure-et-Loir. Having explored the English-style gardens at the Domaine de Rambouillet, follow the Guéville Valley to the little town of Épernon, perched above the confluence of three rivers and designated a Petite Cité de caractère® for its historical attractions.

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.

Leave Maintenon by cycling under the château’s aqueduct, the majestic remnants of a madcap idea of Louis XIV’s, to divert the waters of the Eure River as far as Versailles. Continuing through country parts, follow the river and the little lakes beside it, offering lovely refreshing spots at which to stop. Reaching Chartres, the breathtaking view of its cathedral is the highlight on this stage full of visual delights.

Leave Chartres to head for Illiers-Combray, riding along small roads through wide fields, following in the footsteps of famed author Marcel Proust and his landmark novel, In Search of Lost Time. This writer was greatly inspired by the little town of Illiers-Combray, re-christened Combray in his fiction, which evokes the church, the Pré Catelan Garden and the Maison de Tante Léonie, named after a character, but in fact his real aunt and uncle’s house, now a museum that plunges you back into a fitting Belle Epoque atmosphere.

Leaving Illiers-Combray, you cycle for a short further stretch through the wide flat fields of the Beauce Plain before the landscape changes as the first hills of the Perche area appear. You head for increasingly wooded, shaded roads. Beautiful undulating green landscapes stretch out as far as the eye can see as you enter the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche. The pretty little village of Thiron-Gardais lies at the end of this stage, so enjoy discovering all the history surrounding this iconic abbey.

You’ll need to find a final burst of energy at the end of this stage, arriving at Nogent-le-Rotrou, historic capital of the counts of Perche, to reach its château dominating the Huisne Valley. Along the rest of the stage, there are other splendid viewing points, plus typical villages. In addition, lovely winding roads lead you through the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche. Along the way, you may spot some beautiful Percheron draft horses.