Discover the Haute Vallée du Loir

The medieval fortress of Châteaudun and the village that inspired Marcel Proust are just a few of the highlights to discover in this scenic valley, on the historic route to both the chateaus of the Loire and Santiago de Compostela.

Stretching south towards the Loire Valley, the Haute Vallée du Loir features chateaus, canals, churches and the river Loir, not to be confused with the longer Loire.

It was here, in the village of Illiers-Combray, that Marcel Proust set his masterpiece, A la recherche du temps perdu. Proust spent vacations at his aunt’s house in this still charming town, turning his relatives into characters for his book. The Maison de Tante Léonie is now a museum. And don’t forget to sample Proust’s favorite local specialty, the madeleine. Long before Proust, pilgrims followed the route of Santiago de Compostela through the valley, stopping at early Romanesque churches, whose painted frescoes are still visible today.

On foot, on bicycle, in a canoe or kayak, the Haute Vallée du Loir offers spectacular panoramas from the canals of Bonneval to the medieval fortress of Châteaudun.