La Chartre sur le Loir
La Chartre sur le Loir is a small market town on the river Le Loir (not the larger La Loire further south) in the Pays de la Loire.
Understand
The town gets very busy during the Le Mans 24h race period - see Le Mans. The town has all the normal facilities one would expect in a small town e.g. banks, pharmacy, shops, etc.
Get in
The town is well connected by road, 20 km from junction 26 of the A28 motorway (at Château-du-Loir). The town is a 1hr 10 min bus ride from Le Mans (route TIS-Les Transports Interurbains de la Sarthe 16E departing Le Mans station, arriving La Chartre sur le Loir Fire Station).
Get around
The town is small enough to walk around.
See
- 1 Tourist Office (Bureau de La Chartre sur le Loir), 13, place de la République, ☏ +33 2 43 38 16 60, info@vallee-du-loir.com. Tu W F 10:00–12:30 & 14:00–17:30, Th 10:00–12:30, Sa 10:00–12:00 & 14:00–16:00.
Do
- 1 Open Air Municipal Swimming Pool, rue Jacques Peletier, ☏ +33 2 46 43 44 40 32. Open Jul–Aug. Heated.
- 2 Sailing Club/School (Club de Voile de Marçon), Espace de Loisirs, 72340 Marçon (7 km W of La Chartre sur le Loir), ☏ +33 2 43 79 90 10. Sailing dinghy/windsurf hire and tuition. Windsurf hire €15 / hour. Dinghy hire €20 / hour. Canoe €10 / hour. Cheaper for longer times.
- 3 Descent of the Loir by canoe (Descente du Loir en canoës), Espace de Loisirs, 72340 Marçon (7 km W of La Chartre sur le Loir), ☏ +33 2 43 79 90 10. 2 or 3 people per canoe. Transport from Marçon to La Chartre su Le Loir included, launch at La Chartre and canoe back down to Marçon. Approx 2½ hrs. Adult €18. Child €12.
- 4 Forêt de Bercé (French National Forest) (25 km NW of town (depending on part of forest)). 5400 ha forest with plenty of paths, wildlife, etc.
Buy
Town centre has good range of shops (pharmacy, food, stationary, newspapers, maps, banks, etc.)
- 1 Super U (Supermarket), La Maladrerie, Route de Ruillé, ☏ +33 2 43 79 07 23. M–Sa 08:45–19:30 (open until 20:00 F); Su 9:30–12:30. Good sized supermarket (food and general goods wit petrol station)
Eat
Several restaurants in and around the town.
- 1 La Grignote (Pizzeria), 17 rue Nationale, 72340 La Chartre sur le Loir, ☏ +33 243 79 16 48, didier.brosset@orange.fr.
- 2 L'Estaminet, 1 place de la République, 72340 La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, ☏ +33 243 46 71 57, estaminet.mayeur@gmail.com. Tu&Th 12:00-16:00. W&Su 12:00-16:00 & 19:00-21:00, F&Sa 12:00-16:00 & 19:00-21:30. French Cuisine.
Drink
Quite a few bars in and around the town centre.
- 1 Hotel de France, 20 Place de la République, ☏ +33 2 43 44 40 16, welcome@thehoteldefrance.com. Used to be used by Le Mans 24h team and has lots of memorabilia from historic races. Also hotel and restaurant.
- 2 Le Jasniere (Wine Bar), 8 place de le République, 72340 La Chartre sur le Loir, ☏ +33 2 43 44 40 44, lejasniere@orange.fr. Tu-Sa 08:30-19:30 Su 08:30-13:30. Local Jasniere wines
Sleep
Various hotels, Gîtes, B&B and camp sites in and around the town
- 1 [dead link] Camping du Vieux Moulin (Campsite), Chemin des Bergivaux, 72340 La Chartre sur le Loir, ☏ +33 243 44 41 18, campingduvieuxmoulin72@gmail.com.
Also see "Hotel de France" in Drink section above.
- 2 Le Grand Moulin (Chambre d’hôtes & gîte), 8, rue de Syke, 72340 La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, ☏ +33 2 43 44 65 78. Chambre d’hôtes 90€ (decreases for subsequent nights).
Stay healthy
- 1 Dr Adeline Voland (Dentist), 24 rue Gervais Chevallier, 72340 La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, ☏ +33 2 43 44 00 17.
- 2 Pharmacie Principale (Pharmacy), 1 Place de la Liberté, 72340 La Chartre sur le Loir, ☏ +33 2 43 44 42 58, pharmacieprincipale72@yahoo.fr. M-F 09:00-12:15 & 14:15-19:15. Sa 09:00-12:15 & 14:15-18:15.
Connect
- 3 Post Office (La Poste), place de L'Hôtel de Ville, 72340 - La Chartre sur le Loir.