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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
The town is small enough to walk around.
See[edit]
- 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
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 with petrol station)
Eat[edit]
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[edit]
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 [dead link] 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[edit]
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[edit]
- 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[edit]
- 3 Post Office (La Poste), place de L'Hôtel de Ville, 72340 - La Chartre sur le Loir.