The best walks and hikes around Bouville

Porte de Boisville Its ogival portal opens into a thick quadrangular massif where there was a room for operating the portcullis. We can still see the groove in the thickness of the walls. On the left and right two small funnel-shaped spaces allowed the defenders to observe and repel the enemies who appeared on the bridge. The gate was topped by a building serving as a guardhouse which was demolished in 1761. The guarding of these doors and their keys was in the troubled times of the Hundred Years' War the subject of concern for the inhabitants and also a source of quarrels and trials between the city and the abbey. This gate is preceded by a bridge of 5 stone arches, the one adjoining the gate was built in 1774 and replaced a drawbridge which defended the entrance.

Bonneval, nicknamed the little Venice of Beauce

Bonneval is a beautiful town with still-present fortifications. The old town is surrounded by a wall at the foot of which flows the Loir. This city retains many period buildings such as the Saint-Roch Gate and the King's Tower. Among its must-see attractions, the city also includes the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Florentin-et-Saint-Hilaire, many times destroyed and rebuilt during wars.

This castle dates back to the 12th century, although some parts were added later. Its imposing tower was present from the beginning. As for the Saint Nicholas chapel, it is known for its Gothic decorations.

Continuing on my way, and before entering the center of the village, a new door stands here. Admire the view.

The lordship of Alluyes was, in the Middle Ages, the first of the five baronies of Perche-Gouêt. The keep dates from the 12th century. Between the fortified gate and the dungeon rises the old Saint-Nicolas chapel ending in a semi-circular apse. It was originally lit by four round arched windows. A wide cart door was cut into the west wall when the chapel was converted into a barn. The framework was redone at the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century. The chapel received a shingled vault on which paintings were executed. source: monumentum

The church is in the early Gothic style and dates mainly from the beginning of the 13th century, however the lower parts of the flat apse and the three neighboring windows of each aisle are semi-circular and reflect the end of the 12th century. The start of construction therefore makes it contemporary with the Notre-Dame de Chartres cathedral. The gables decorated with hooks are from the 16th century. The slate spire which tops the church, also from the 16th century1, is decorated with a gallery and rises 65 meters above the ground. It houses three bells, two of which are classified, one dates from 1598, the other from 1793. Source: Wikipedia

From this door you enter the historic center of Bonneval. Take the time to admire this masterpiece still standing today.