Chateau de Leveville

Château de Levéville is a historic château standing in Bailleau-l'Évêque, on the outskirts of Chartres, in the Eure-et-Loir department of France.

Where is the château located?

Bailleau-l'Évêque sits at the edge of Chartres, the main town of the Eure-et-Loir department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Chartres is best known for its Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose towers can be seen from far across the Beauce plain, one of France's most important grain-growing regions. Château de Levéville lies in a quiet, rural setting typical of this part of the country, only a short distance from the town centre.

What is the history behind it?

The château is thought to date back to the 15th century. It was later remodelled in the 17th century and again in subsequent periods, which gave the building much of its current appearance. This kind of evolution - from a medieval core to a residence with a more decorative, representative character - is common among French country houses of this era. Successive generations of owners typically adapted the original, more defensive architecture to changing needs and tastes, layering new elements onto the older structure rather than replacing it outright. As a result, buildings like this one often combine features from several different periods, so what stands today reflects centuries of gradual change rather than a single building campaign.

Is it one of the Loire Valley châteaux?

Château de Levéville is sometimes listed among the Châteaux of the Loire Valley, even though geographically it sits closer to Chartres than to the Loire river itself. Chartres and the wider Eure-et-Loir department share a historical and architectural connection to the building traditions of that broader region, which is why the château keeps appearing on lists associated with this well-known tourist route, despite lying administratively outside the Loire valley proper.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

For anyone travelling to this part of France, Chartres itself is the main draw - a town with a remarkably well-preserved medieval centre and the cathedral as its standout attraction. The countryside around Bailleau-l'Évêque is classic Beauce landscape: wide open farmland, small villages, and scattered country estates, among them Château de Levéville. Places like this are a reminder that away from the best-known landmarks, the region holds plenty of smaller sites worth a look for anyone interested in architecture and local history, even without the fame of the grander Loire châteaux.

How do you get to Château de Levéville?

Bailleau-l'Évêque is close enough to central Chartres to make it an easy add-on for visitors exploring the town or planning a short trip through the surrounding villages. Chartres has good rail connections to Paris, which makes the whole area, Bailleau-l'Évêque included, a popular destination for day trips from the capital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Château de Levéville located? In Bailleau-l'Évêque, on the outskirts of Chartres, in the Eure-et-Loir department.

How old is the château? The core structure dates from the 15th century, with further remodelling in the 17th century and later periods.

Is Château de Levéville part of the Loire Valley châteaux? It is sometimes grouped with the Châteaux of the Loire Valley, although it lies closer to Chartres than to the Loire river itself.

What is worth seeing nearby? Above all, the UNESCO-listed Notre-Dame cathedral and historic centre of Chartres, along with the open landscapes of the Beauce plain.