National park · France
Parc Régional du Perche
Spend a half‑day on the Perche loop trail (≈12 km (7.5 mi), moderate) for €5 entry, or a full‑day hike to Senonches forest (≈25 km (16 mi)) in spring‑early summer; avoid weekends in July‑August to skip crowds.Spend a half‑day on the Perche loop trail (≈7.5 mi (12 km), moderate) for €5 entry, or a full‑day hike to Senonches forest (≈16 mi (25 km)) in spring‑early summer; avoid weekends in July‑August to skip crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
1998
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
- Centre-Val de Loire ↗Most châteaux are reachable by TER train, bus or bike; a car helps only for the smaller ones (Cheverny, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau).
- Centre-Val de Loire ↗Book TGV seats ahead; TER regional fares are fixed and sold on the day.
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Park covers roughly 120 km² across Orne and Eure‑et‑Loir; exact boundaries differ between sources (check).
- Established
- 1998
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Nogent-le-Rotrou
Parc Régional du Perche spans rolling limestone hills, mixed forests and historic villages across two French departments; it offers marked trails, cultural sites and wildlife, managed as a regional natural park since 1998.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteRegional natural park (Parc naturel régional).
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 1998
Park covers roughly 120 km² across Orne and Eure‑et‑Loir; exact boundaries differ between sources (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Nogent-le-Rotrou.
Why go
- Rolling limestone hills and mixed forest paths.
- Historic manor houses and medieval villages.
- Percheron horse breeding heritage.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanQuiet, cold.
- FebCold, few visitors.
- MarSpring, blossoms.
- AprMild, dry.
- MayWarm, good trails.
- JunWarm, some rain.
- JulHeat, crowds.
- AugHeat, crowds.
- SepCooler, fewer tourists.
- OctAutumn colours.
- NovCold, quiet.
- DecCold, very quiet.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red deer, roe deer, wild boarMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Various songbirds, batsMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre (Nogent‑le‑Rotrou) | Information desk, map, ticket office. | Open daily 9:00–18:00 (check).Open daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (check). |
| Perche loop trail | ≈12 km (7.5 mi) marked circuit through forest and farmland.≈7.5 mi (12 km) marked circuit through forest and farmland. | Open to all walkers. |
| Senonches forest area | Extended network of forest paths, suitable for full‑day hikes. | Guided walks recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the park, based on the visitor‑centre location.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | EUR 5 (≈ US$6) | person | Covers all marked trails. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Leashed on trails; off‑lead prohibited in wildlife zones.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping not allowed.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQ areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gîtes in Nogent‑le‑Rotrou
Self‑catering cottages, 5‑10 km (6.2 mi) from main trails.Self‑catering cottages, 5‑6.2 mi (10 km) from main trails.
Near the park
Hotels in Chartres
Range of hotels, 30 km (19 mi) north of the park.Range of hotels, 19 mi (30 km) north of the park.
Safety
Heat in July‑August medium
Getting lost on long forest routes high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with parking.
- Short loops have gentle sections; longer forest trails are steep.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned gîtes.
- Follow marked paths to protect fragile limestone habitats.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Parc Régional du Perche?
Entry is €5 per adult; children under 12 enter free.
What are the best hikes in Parc Régional du Perche?
The 12 km Perche loop is ideal for a half‑day; the 25 km Senonches forest trek offers a full‑day challenge.
When is the best time to visit Parc Régional du Perche?
Late spring (April‑June) and early autumn (September‑October) give mild weather and fewer crowds.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Yes, but they must be on a leash at all times.
Can I camp wild in the park?
No, camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Parc Régional du Perche
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