The best traffic-free bike rides around Berchères-Sur-Vesgre

Eure Valley :-)

The construction of the original church of Sorel dates back to the 10th century. In 1113, this church was destroyed during the siege of the fortress of Sorel by the troops of Henry VIII of England coming from Normandy. Its identical reconstruction was unfortunately halted by a fire in 1134. The current church was rebuilt starting in the 13th century, with the chevet completed in the 15th century, and the first two bays of the nave and the northern seigneurial chapel in the 16th century. The bell tower was built in the 17th century by blinding a window. The building is constructed of flint, lime, and white stone on a sandstone base. The upper part is made of Vernon stone. The tiled roof is supported by a beautiful rafter frame whose tie beams are decorated with chimera heads, also called "howling devils." In the choir, the 19th-century altar recalls medieval sculptures. An interesting collection of stained-glass windows dating from 1850. After extensive renovations, masses have been celebrated again since 2007.

very beautiful view of the castle

The parish, dedicated to Saint Germain, dates back to Merovingian times. Emma, daughter of Leutgarde and Thibaut-le-tricheur, having married William Ironarm, Count of Poitiers, founded the Abbey of Bourgueil, which she endowed with her Normandy possessions, inherited from her mother, widow of William Longsword. Coudres and Marcilly-la-campagne were included in this endowment. The two Marcillys had the same lords for a long time. Around 1060, Teudon, Lord of Marcilly, approved the gift of the land of Les Loges to the Abbey of Saint Père de Chartres by Robert des Loges. In 1107, Foulques de Marcilly, the second of the name, founded the Abbey of Breuil Benoit (near Marcilly-sur-Eure). By the Treaty made in 1194 between Philip Augustus and Richard the Lionheart, Marcilly was part of the King of France's estates, on the border with Normandy. We were ROYAL! In 1226, Fulk IV, Lord of Marcilly, gave the Monks of Saint Taurin an annuity on his mills in Marcilly. During the 15th-century invasion, the King of England granted Jean Yprès on August 27, 1419, all the lands that belonged to Fulk of Marcilly, "in default," that is, devoted to France. The coat of arms of the House of Marcilly was a chevron, but the color, as well as that of the background of the shield, are unknown. At the 1470 watch, Jehan Tailleman, Lord of Marcilly-la-campagne, appeared naked. Aged 90, he could not wear a harness, and his fiefdom was very small. It is discharged, on condition of providing a vougier. (13th century weapon, made of a sharp and asymmetrical blade fixed to the end of a handle)

Built at the end of the 12th century by the Counts of Montfort and listed as a Historic Monument since 1889, the Houdan Tower was used to watch for enemies and defend the territory. The Keep consists of a 15 m diameter and 21 m high tower, flanked by four turrets of the same height located at the four cardinal points. From the 16th century until the French Revolution, the Keep served as a prison, and executions took place at the foot of the Tower. The first water reservoir was installed in the tower in 1880. The second, built in 1952, is still visible. Tours are available on certain days.

Beautiful castle (private).

Built in the 15th century on the foundations of a chapel whose origins can be traced back to a papal bull from Pope Alexander in 1142, Saint Apollonia was worshipped there.

Beautiful site on the Eure, don't miss the tomb of Diane de Poitiers.