Châteaudun stands on a cliff above the river Loir, crowned by one of the first great châteaux of the Loire region. Its builder, Jean de Dunois, fought alongside Joan of Arc, and the castle joins a 12th-century keep, a Gothic wing and a Renaissance wing. Below it, the old lanes run down to the river, while the upper town was rebuilt on a neat grid after the fire of 1723.
Why stay in Châteaudun
It is a quiet, historic stop between Paris, Chartres and the Loire valley, at the meeting of the Beauce wheat plain and the green hills of the Perche.
Things to see in and around Châteaudun
The château
Visit the keep, the vast rooms with their tapestries, the Sainte-Chapelle with its painted statues and the terraces over the Loir valley.
The old town
The lanes below the château keep medieval and Renaissance houses, while the upper town shows its 18th-century grid of streets around the Place du 18-Octobre.
The Foulon caves
The Grottes du Foulon, carved by the Loir, show walls studded with flint geodes.
The Loir valley
Footpaths and quiet roads follow the Loir past villages, mills and the hilltop church of Montigny-le-Gannelon.
Best time to visit
April to October, when the château gardens, the river paths and the caves are at their best.
Getting there
Châteaudun has regional trains to Paris and Tours, and lies on the N10 road between Chartres and Tours. The nearest airports are Paris-Orly and Tours.
What to eat
Beauce and Loir flavours: pâté de Chartres, breads from Beauce wheat, river fish and wines from the Coteaux du Vendômois downstream.
FAQ
Who built the château of Châteaudun?
Mostly Jean de Dunois, the “Bastard of Orléans” and companion of Joan of Arc, and his descendants, around an older 12th-century keep.
How far is Châteaudun from Chartres?
About 45 km, under an hour by car or train.
