The best road cycling routes around Prunay-En-Yvelines

Located on the pilgrimage route to Chartres, the parish of Orphin was at the borders of the lands of Montfort, the Count of Prunelé, Port-Royal and the Bishopric of Chartres. Surrounded by four fortified houses, the village takes its name "orfin" from the gold of the wheat of the Beauce. The Sainte Monégonde church was erected in the 11th century and established as a parish in the 16th century. The framework bears the date of 1552 and the bells 1556. A polychrome wooden statue from the 17th century, which represents Saint Teresa of Avila, is located near the choir. There is also, on a pillar, a coat of arms depicting the lion of Montfort. A chapel and the bell tower could be earlier than the rest of the building. The large nave could be the result of an extension of the small lateral nave. Indeed, the lateral nave and the central pillars seem older than the other elements of the church. The church suffered a serious fire at the end of the 19th century which destroyed the vault of the large nave and damaged the south wall which were rebuilt. The current stained glass windows were made by Charles Lorin, master glassmaker in Chartres, in 1914. The characters are depicted in the effigy of the donors. The stoup is described as dating from the 16th century but it is probably older. Several paintings from the 17th and 19th centuries adorn the walls of the church. The main altar and the altar of Saint Joseph date from the 1850s.

According to tradition, the church choir covers the remains of an older building, possibly dating back to the 6th century, which was built to house the saint's body. According to current knowledge, the commune of Saint-Piat (Sanctus Piatus in Latin) officially appeared in 1087, mentioned in a charter of the Nottonville Priory (Eure-et-Loir), on which it depended. The current building was rebuilt during the time of Francis I, as suggested by the date 1535 engraved on two buttresses of the apse and the date 1542 engraved on a piece of wood from the vault. This is according to a study by the SAEL (Eure-et-Loir Archaeological Society). The three-sided apses, the dripstone towers (horizontal members projecting from a wall), and the sculpted roof structures are a testament to the importance of the reconstructions carried out in the department during the 16th century. The church of Saint-Piat is one of them. While the church has not been officially recognized, it nevertheless contains objects that have attracted attention both for their antiquity and quality, but not always for good reason. Their artistic value, far from attracting only religious or aesthetic interest, has also aroused a covetousness that, unfortunately, remains for some of them. Fortunately, those still in place are carefully cared for and offer the curious a story to discover, a beauty to slowly ponder as they progress toward the choir.

Don't be surprised if you spot flamingos 🦩 on the banks of the pond. They're still there, despite the park being closed for many years.

The Fontaine du Breuil wash house, an essential break ✨

If you’re in the area, don’t miss this beautiful Town Hall!

Pretty little stone shelter with statue of the Virgin Mary.

The Moulin de Saint-Piat is a water mill located on the Eure and dating from the 11th century where it was once used for the production of flour and the extraction of oil. You can admire the architecture of the mill, which was extended in 1865, and enjoy the view of the river and the nearby church. The mill is also a good place for birdwatching, as you may be able to see herons, kingfishers and ducks along the water.

Beautiful, recently renovated washhouse. Its water is supplied by a spring, not the river. It's a great place to take a break.