Discovering Eure-et-Loir (Department 28)
Updated: Aug 21
Introduction
Situated in the Centre-Val de Loire region, Eure-et-Loir (Department 28) lies just south-west of Paris, making it one of the most accessible rural departments in northern France. Often considered the gateway between the Paris Basin and the Loire Valley, it combines productive farmland, attractive market towns, historic architecture and easy access to the French capital.
For English-speaking people considering moving to Eure-et-Loir, retiring in Eure-et-Loir, purchasing a second home or establishing a business, the department offers an appealing blend of peaceful countryside and excellent transport links. It is generally less expensive than areas closer to Paris while still benefiting from strong infrastructure and services.
Rather than offering dramatic mountain scenery or Mediterranean beaches, Eure-et-Loir appeals to those who appreciate relaxed living, charming towns, open landscapes and practical convenience.
Eure-et-Loir At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Centre-Val de-Loire |
Historic name | Part of historic Beauce, Perche and Dunois |
Department number | 28 |
Department capital | Chartres |
Largest towns | Chartres, Dreux, Châteaudun, Nogent-le-Rotrou, Lucé, Vernouillet |
Population | Approximately 435,000 |
Area | Around 5,880 km² |
Climate | Temperate oceanic with warm summers and cool winters |
Best suited for | Retirees, commuters, families, entrepreneurs and second-home owners |
Is a car recommended? | Yes, especially outside the larger towns |
English-speaking community | Small but established, with growing international residents |
Lifestyle summary | Peaceful, practical, well-connected and community focused |
Why Choose Eure-et-Loir?
Lifestyle
Life in Eure-et-Loir moves at a comfortable pace. Residents enjoy a balance between rural tranquillity and access to modern amenities. Daily life revolves around local markets, independent shops, cafés and community events rather than heavy tourism.
For many newcomers, this slower rhythm provides a welcome alternative to city living while still allowing easy day trips to Paris.
Community
Although not one of France's largest expat destinations, the department has a welcoming atmosphere. Many villages organise seasonal festivals, sporting events and local markets that make it easier for newcomers to integrate.
Learning French remains important, but many professionals working in tourism, healthcare and larger businesses have some English.
Scenery
Unlike the dramatic Alps or Dordogne valleys, Eure-et-Loir is known for:
Vast wheat fields
Rolling Perche countryside
Forests
Rivers
Historic villages
Cathedral skylines
Quiet country lanes
The Perche Regional Natural Park is particularly attractive for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Accessibility
Accessibility is one of the department's strongest advantages.
Residents benefit from:
Fast rail connections to Paris
Excellent motorway network
Easy driving access across northern and central France
Convenient access to international airports
Many people commute regularly to Paris while enjoying considerably lower housing costs.
Food
Local cuisine reflects the agricultural heritage.
Expect:
Traditional French bakeries
Artisan cheese producers
Apple products
Cider
Farm shops
Weekly markets
Excellent charcuterie
Fresh vegetables
Seasonal produce
The dining scene focuses on authentic regional cooking rather than tourist-oriented restaurants.
Culture
The department combines religious heritage, medieval history and agricultural traditions.
Highlights include:
Gothic architecture
Historic churches
Medieval streets
Music festivals
Craft fairs
Agricultural shows
Christmas markets
Chartres Cathedral is recognised worldwide for its remarkable stained glass.
Property
Property offers good value compared with many areas surrounding Paris.
Options include:
Village cottages
Country farmhouses
Townhouses
Modern family homes
Rural renovation projects
Character properties
Second-home buyers often appreciate the relatively short travel time from northern Europe.
Pace of Life
Life is generally calm and predictable.
Residents often enjoy:
Less traffic
Shorter queues
Friendly local businesses
Strong community spirit
Quiet evenings
Relaxed weekends
Eure-et-Loir Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent healthcare, peaceful living and easy access to Paris. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Good schools, safe communities and affordable housing. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Convenient from the UK and northern Europe with manageable property prices. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Good transport links, lower business costs and proximity to Paris markets. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Reliable internet in most areas and peaceful working environment. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Walking, cycling, horse riding and nature parks. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Chartres offers city amenities, but overall the department remains largely rural. |
Popular Places to Live
Chartres
The departmental capital combines beautiful architecture with modern services.
Ideal for
Professionals
Retirees
Families
Advantages
Excellent rail connections
Outstanding shopping
Healthcare facilities
Cultural attractions
Things to consider
Higher property prices than smaller towns.
Busier than elsewhere in the department.
Dreux
A lively town with excellent transport links towards Paris and Normandy.
Ideal for
Commuters
Families
Professionals
Advantages
Affordable housing
Good shopping
Rail services
Employment opportunities
Things to consider
More urban feel than rural villages.
Châteaudun
Historic riverside town with an impressive château.
Ideal for
Retirees
History lovers
Families
Advantages
Attractive centre
Good amenities
Lower property prices
Things to consider
Fewer employment opportunities.
Nogent-le-Rotrou
Located within the beautiful Perche region.
Ideal for
Nature lovers
Remote workers
Retirees
Advantages
Green surroundings
Historic character
Walking routes
Things to consider
Car recommended.
Illiers-Combray
Best known through its association with Marcel Proust.
Ideal for
Quiet retirement
Village life
Second homes
Advantages
Charming atmosphere
Attractive countryside
Things to consider
Limited shopping compared with larger towns.
Maintenon
A picturesque town famous for its château and aqueduct.
Ideal for
Commuters
Retirees
Advantages
Easy access to Paris
Attractive historic centre
Things to consider
Demand can increase property prices.
Bonneval
Sometimes called the "Little Venice of Beauce."
Ideal for
Couples
Retirees
Second-home owners
Advantages
Beautiful canals
Friendly community
Peaceful environment
Things to consider
Smaller range of services.
Cost of Living
Compared with many departments surrounding Paris, Eure-et-Loir generally offers very good value.
Property affordability
Housing is often significantly more affordable than the Île-de-France region.
Village properties, renovation projects and family homes can all represent good value, while homes close to railway stations or Chartres typically command higher prices.
Shopping
Supermarkets, local markets and farm shops provide plenty of choice.
Larger retail centres are available in Chartres and Dreux, while smaller towns usually meet everyday needs.
Utilities
Utility costs are broadly comparable with the rest of France. Older rural properties may require additional heating during winter, while renovated homes are increasingly energy efficient.
Eating out
Restaurants range from traditional cafés to fine dining. Lunch menus often represent excellent value, particularly outside the busiest tourist periods.
General value for money
For those seeking convenient access to Paris without paying Paris prices, Eure-et-Loir offers excellent overall value.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is one of the department's strengths.
Main hospitals
Major hospitals can be found in:
Chartres
Dreux
Châteaudun
Nogent-le-Rotrou
Healthcare availability
Residents generally enjoy good access to GPs, dentists and pharmacies, although waiting times for certain specialists may be longer in rural areas.
Access to specialists
Most specialist services are available within the department or nearby in Paris, Orléans and Le Mans.
Pharmacies
Every sizeable town has pharmacies, many providing emergency out-of-hours arrangements.
General healthcare considerations
Joining the French healthcare system is usually straightforward for eligible residents. Comprehensive health insurance remains advisable, particularly for newcomers.
Education
Families moving to Eure-et-Loir have access to a broad range of educational options.
Schools
The department offers:
Nursery schools
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Sixth-form colleges
Both public and private education are available.
Colleges
Chartres has several higher education institutions and vocational training centres.
Larger universities can be reached easily in Orléans, Tours and Paris.
International options
There are relatively few international schools within the department itself, although international education is available within commuting distance of Paris.
Language schools
French language courses for adults are available in several towns through local associations and private providers.
Getting Around
Airports
The nearest major airports include:
Paris Orly
Paris Charles de Gaulle
Tours Val de Loire
Rail
The department enjoys excellent rail links, particularly:
Chartres to Paris
Dreux to Paris
Nogent-le-Rotrou connections
Roads
Excellent road infrastructure includes:
A11 motorway
N154
N12
Driving to Paris is relatively straightforward.
Public transport
Larger towns have local bus services, while regional buses connect many communities.
Is a car recommended?
Yes.
A car is highly recommended outside the larger towns, where public transport becomes less frequent.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Chartres | Saturday |
Dreux | Wednesday |
Châteaudun | Thursday |
Nogent-le-Rotrou | Saturday |
Bonneval | Monday |
Maintenon | Wednesday |
Illiers-Combray | Friday |
Local Food & Drink
The department celebrates traditional French produce.
Specialities include:
Beauce wheat products
Artisan bread
Apple juice
Local cider
Goat's cheese
Rillettes
Charcuterie
Honey
Seasonal asparagus
Mushrooms
Farm-produced vegetables
Traditional pâtisserie
While Eure-et-Loir is not a major wine-producing department, excellent Loire Valley wines are readily available throughout the region.
Things to Do
There is plenty to enjoy throughout the year.
Historic sites
Chartres Cathedral
Château de Maintenon
Château de Châteaudun
Medieval villages
Historic churches
Outdoor activities
Walking
Cycling
Horse riding
Fishing
Canoeing
Golf
Museums
Visitors can enjoy museums covering:
Fine art
Agriculture
Local history
Military heritage
Festivals
Annual events include:
Light festivals in Chartres
Music festivals
Food fairs
Agricultural shows
Christmas markets
Nature
The Perche Regional Natural Park provides excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, hiking and photography.
Family attractions
Families can enjoy:
Animal parks
Adventure playgrounds
Gardens
River walks
Historic train rides
Seasonal events
Good to Know Before You Move
Before relocating, there are several practical considerations.
Language
Speaking French will make daily life significantly easier, particularly in rural communities.
Rural living
Many villages have limited public transport, making car ownership almost essential.
Internet
Most towns enjoy good broadband, while fibre continues to expand across the department.
Seasonal tourism
Tourism exists but remains relatively modest compared with many southern regions, meaning local services continue operating throughout the year.
Climate
Expect warm summers, cool winters and rainfall spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Community life
Joining local clubs, markets, sports groups and village events is one of the best ways to become part of the community.
Useful Biz Où? Guides
If you're considering living in Eure-et-Loir, these guides may also be helpful:
Buying a Home in France
Retiring to France
Moving to France
Second Home in France
Starting a Business in France
Healthcare in France
Tax in France
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're planning your move, buying a property, retiring or setting up a business, finding reliable local professionals makes the process much easier.
Biz Où? helps you connect with trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property specialists, accountants, legal advisers, tradespeople, healthcare providers, insurance experts and many other services. Every listing is designed to help you find experienced professionals who understand the needs of international residents, making your move to Eure-et-Loir simpler and more reassuring.
Comments