After busy days of exploring cities around France, we decided to take a vacation “recess” and visit friends in the French countryside. We needed a bit of respite from jam packed sightseeing itineraries. Yes, I admit, I always over-plan our days afraid we’ll miss something important. So, it’s time to slow down for a peaceful countryside escape, enjoy local life, long meals with friends and experience a quieter side of French travel.
We rented a car in Orléans to drive a couple of hours into the countryside to spend a week with friends.
Our rural home
Our friends, Valerie and Laurent, live in Droue-sur-Drouette, France. It’s a small village and the entire area has a total population of about 1,200 people. Driving on the small roads to get to the village, all you can see is a beautiful expanse of vivid green fields.
Droue-sur-Drouette has a church, bakery and town hall…and that’s about it. It’s very quiet.
We are also excited to enjoy the weekend with their daughter Maxine, who now lives and works in Paris. A neighbor joined us for lunch out in the garden on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Since it’s supposed to rain and turn cold tomorrow, we decided to take a short drive to a nearby town, Chevreuse, and explore a bit.
Chevreuse
Our friends drove us to the charming village of Chevreuse, about 40 minutes away from their home. It’s a place where medieval history, peaceful walking trails, ancient churches, and castle ruins all blend into a small countryside escape. If you’re interested to visit, It’s actually fairly easy to get to from Paris. At the end of the RER B line, sits the village of Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse. From here, it’s about a 30 minute walk, or a short bus ride into town.
For travelers searching for authentic France beyond the busy streets of Paris, Chevreuse feels like stepping into another century. Stone homes line quiet lanes, church bells echo through the valley and forests stretch across rolling hills that once sheltered knights, monks, and French nobility.
Although we’ve stayed with our friends many times over the years, we’ve never visited Chevreuse before. It feels somewhat like the kind of place France keeps secret on purpose.
A Village Rooted in Medieval History
The history of Chevreuse reaches back more than a thousand years. The village developed during the Middle Ages. Over time, local lords and powerful religious communities shaped the area, leaving behind castles, churches, and fortified estates. Today, the small village still preserves a medieval atmosphere. Narrow streets twist between old stone buildings, flower-covered bridges cross gentle streams, and centuries-old architecture appears around nearly every corner.
Canal de l’Yvette
A small tributary of the Yvette River winds through the village of Chevreuse, linking old cottages, ancient wash-houses, and a medieval tannery. There are 22 little bridges crossing over the canal, offering a picturesque stroll in Chevreuse. Today, we stopped to photograph flowers hanging over the water and ducks floating beneath stone bridges. But centuries ago, these same canals powered mills, fed villages, supplied monasteries, and helped entire communities survive.
That’s what makes places like Chevreuse special — history still quietly flows right through the middle of town.
The Beautiful Village Church
At the heart of the village sits the historic church that has watched over the community for centuries. The initial construction of the Saint-Martin church dates from the 12th-13th century. The church contains architectural elements dating back to the medieval period. Its stone façade, gothic influences, and peaceful interior reflect the quiet spiritual history common throughout rural France.
Like many French village churches, this one tells the story of generations who baptized children, celebrated marriages, and gathered during times of war and peace beneath the same stone ceiling. Standing inside, you can’t help but feel connected to centuries of ordinary lives that shaped this small corner of France.
The Castle That Watches Over the Valley
Towering above the town and valley stands the legendary Château de la Madeleine, a medieval fortresses. Originally built in the 11th century, the castle served as a defensive stronghold protecting the valley and nearby routes into Paris. Lords of Chevreuse expanded the fortress over the centuries, adding walls, towers, and ramparts that still dominate the hillside today.
Walking toward the castle felt like entering a history book. The steep climb finally rewarded us with sweeping views across forests, villages, and farmland. They are setting up for a marathon tomorrow, according to the signage. Unlike France’s more famous castles crowded with tour groups, Château de la Madeleine still feels wonderfully undiscovered.
Why We Loved Discovering Chevreuse On Our Vacation Recess
Maybe it’s the sound of church bells echoing through the valley. Perhaps it’s the steep climb up to the old fortress with views stretching for miles. Or, maybe it’s simply the feeling of discovering a peaceful side of rural France many travelers rush right past. Whatever it is, this little village reminded us that some of France’s greatest treasures are not found in guidebooks — they are hidden in quiet valleys, ancient churches, and castles standing watch over the village countryside for nearly a thousand years.
Costco coming soon…
We did manage to squeeze in a trip to Costco this week. I’ll post separately about that soon. We can’t pass up an opportunity to visit Costco in France again. It’s been awhile since we last shopped here.
Our recess is over
So, after all the busy sightseeing before we arrived, this little countryside escape is exactly what we needed. Spending time with friends, slowing down our pace and enjoying the simple beauty of rural France reminded us that travel doesn’t always have to be about checking famous landmarks off a list. Sometimes the best memories come from quiet mornings, long conversations around the table and discovering the everyday charm of a place most visitors never see.
That slower rhythm is part of what makes the French countryside so special. Away from the tourist crowds, we found peaceful villages, beautiful scenery and a warm sense of connection that made this trip feel personal in a completely different way. And honestly, taking this little vacation recess during our travels may end up being one of our favorite parts of the journey yet.
We’ll see you next time for a few weeks in Paris.
Facebook Comments