Last updated · Lucé (Centre-Val de Loire, 159 m elevation) commune guide reviewed by the FranceStarter editorial team
What to See & Do in Lucé (Centre-Val de Loire)
Lucé (INSEE 28218) sits at 159 m in the Eure-et-Loir department of Centre-Val de Loire, drawing visitors to Abbaye Saint-Jean-en-Vallée and Église Cathédrale de Chartres with convenient rail access via Gare de Lucé (0.9 km). Travelers pair neighborhood boulangeries and markets in Lucé (pop. 15,755) with regional specialties including Tarte Tatin from Lamotte-Beuvron & Pithiviers almond cake and Rillons & Rillettes de Tours.
In Lucé (Lucé (28218), 159 m elevation, pop. 15,755), top sights and local landmarks include Abbaye Saint-Jean-en-Vallée (1.9 km) · Église Cathédrale de Chartres (2.0 km) · Église Saint-Martin-au-Val (2.1 km) · Abbaye Saint-Père-en-Vallée (2.2 km) · Chartres Cathedral (2.0 km), alongside surrounding quartiers and hameaux such as Maindreville (3.4 km), Sèreville (3.5 km), Ouerray (3.6 km), Sèchecôte (4.1 km). Within Centre-Val de Loire (Eure-et-Loir), Lucé serves as a commune in centre-val de loire (Regional km², Urban/Town residents/km²) that pairs well with wider regional highlights including Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Amboise & Clos Lucé, Villandry Renaissance gardens, Blois Royal Castle, Chartres UNESCO Gothic Cathedral, Bourges Cathedral & Sancerre vineyards.
- Nearby Landmarks & Monuments in Lucé: Abbaye Saint-Jean-en-Vallée (1.9 km) · Église Cathédrale de Chartres (2.0 km) · Église Saint-Martin-au-Val (2.1 km) · Abbaye Saint-Père-en-Vallée (2.2 km) · Chartres Cathedral (2.0 km)
- Local Quartiers, Villages & Lieux-dits (Lucé): Maindreville (3.4 km), Sèreville (3.5 km), Ouerray (3.6 km), Sèchecôte (4.1 km)
- Historic Core & Weekly Marché of Lucé: Stroll the central square around the Mairie, parish church, and morning market stalls in Lucé.
How to Get to Lucé: Nearest SNCF Station & Rail Access
Rail & road access for Lucé (48.4383°N, 1.465°E): Nearest station is Gare de Lucé (0.9 km), connecting via the regional hub of Gare de Tours, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps & Orléans (SNCF TGV INOUI & Rémi TER). TGV INOUI from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps / Tours in 1h00; SNCF Rémi trains from Paris Austerlitz to Orléans (1h05), Blois-Chambord (1h25) and Amboise (1h50), plus Chartres (1h05 from Montparnasse).
- SNCF TER & transit cards for Lucé: Once in Centre-Val de Loire, SNCF TER regional trains and departmental coaches link Orléans with Lucé (Gare de Lucé (0.9 km)). Urban trams and buses accept contactless bank cards and regional passes (Navigo Easy in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Lignes d'Azur in Nice).
- Luggage & station storage near Lucé: Major SNCF hubs in Centre-Val de Loire offer consignes (left-luggage lockers). If stopping in Lucé between bases, verify bag dimensions in our SNCF & Airline Luggage Checker.
- Driving & car rental around Lucé: While Lucé centre-ville is accessible by rail and local bus, picking up a rental car at Gare de Tours, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps & Orléans (SNCF TGV INOUI & Rémi TER) makes it easy to explore rural vineyards, châteaux, and scenic passes across Centre-Val de Loire. See our Driving in France, Autoroute Tolls & Crit'Air Guide.
What Locals Eat in Lucé (Centre-Val de Loire Specialties)
1. Signature Dish in Lucé (Entrée & Plat)
In Lucé (Eure-et-Loir), traditional tables feature: Garden of France and royal Loire Valley table—filet de sandre au beurre blanc, Rillons and Rillettes de Tours, Chartres game pie (Pâté de Chartres), Fouées stuffed with rillettes and goat cheese, and Poulet en barbouille. Across the Eure-et-Loir department, Lucé showcases seasonal market produce, artisanal boulangeries, and AOC wines from Centre-Val de Loire.
2. Wine & Cellar Pairings Around Lucé
Around Lucé and across Eure-et-Loir, local wine lists and cellar pairings highlight: Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blancs, Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire still and sparkling Chenin Blancs, and silky Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Cabernet Francs.
3. AOC / AOP Cheeses & Boulangerie in Lucé
At the weekly market and fromageries of Lucé (Eure-et-Loir), look for: Five flagship Loire AOP goat cheeses (Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte-Maure de Touraine, Valençay, Pouligny-Saint-Pierre, Selles-sur-Cher), Tarte Tatin from Lamotte-Beuvron, Pithiviers cake, and Praslines de Montargis.
4. Dining Rhythm & Market Hours in Lucé
Troglodyte cave wine tastings after touring Renaissance châteaux, picnic baskets filled with goat cheese and fresh baguette along the Loire à Vélo cycle path, and quiet bistro dinners in historic royal towns. In a mid-sized French town like Lucé (pop. 15,755), travelers will find multiple artisan bakeries, fromageries, brasseries around the main square and SNCF station, and a lively weekly open-air market showcasing Eure-et-Loir producers.
Across Lucé (Lucé (28218)) and the wider Centre-Val de Loire region, look for bistro chalkboards featuring Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte-Maure de Touraine & Valençay goat cheeses, Tarte Tatin from Lamotte-Beuvron & Pithiviers almond cake, Rillons & Rillettes de Tours, Loire freshwater fish with beurre blanc & Fouées bread pockets, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray & Chinon AOC Loire Valley wines. For allergy cards or restaurant phrases in Lucé, use our French Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards or practice speaking in Learn French for Travelers.
5 Nearest Neighboring Communes & Day Trips from Lucé
The 5 closest neighboring French communes (communes limitrophes) to Lucé (48.4383°N, 1.465°E, 159 m elevation) for local day trips across Centre-Val de Loire are:
- Luisant (1.1 km from Lucé)
- Mainvilliers (1.7 km from Lucé)
- Chartres (2.0 km from Lucé)
- Le Coudray (3.1 km from Lucé)
- Barjouville (3.4 km from Lucé)
Commune Facts, Elevation & Best Time to Visit Lucé
Seasonal advice for Lucé (Centre-Val de Loire, 159 m elevation): Best time to visit Centre-Val de Loire: Apr–Oct. Pair your visit to Lucé with regional highlights across Centre-Val de Loire: Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Amboise & Clos Lucé, Villandry Renaissance gardens, Blois Royal Castle, Chartres UNESCO Gothic Cathedral, Bourges Cathedral & Sancerre vineyards.
| Commune Fact | Details for Lucé (Lucé (28218)) |
|---|---|
| Official Commune Name | Lucé (28218) (Lucé) |
| Administrative Role | Commune in Centre-Val de Loire |
| Region & Prefecture Capital | Centre-Val de Loire (Capital: Orléans) |
| Geographic Zone | Eure-et-Loir |
| Population | 15,755 residents |
| Surface Area / Density | Regional km² · Urban/Town residents per km² |
| GeoNames Elevation | 159 m elevation |
| Nearest Rail Station | Gare de Lucé (0.9 km) |
| Municipal Heritage | Official Municipality |
| GPS Coordinates | 48.4383°N, 1.465°E |
Practical Travel Tips for Lucé
- Office de Tourisme in Lucé: Visit the local Office de Tourisme near the historic center of Lucé (or at Gare de Tours, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps & Orléans (SNCF TGV INOUI & Rémi TER)) for walking maps, market days, and seasonal château or museum hours.
- Cards, Euros & ATMs in Lucé: Bistros, bakeries, and shops in Lucé accept Visa and Mastercard (contactless sans contact up to €50), though keeping €10–€20 in coins and small notes is helpful for open-air market stalls and village bakeries. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque Postale ATMs operate across Centre-Val de Loire.
- French dining hours in Lucé: Outside nonstop brasseries near major stations, kitchens in Lucé serve lunch strictly from 12:00 to 13:45 and dinner from 19:15 to 21:30.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Lucé (Lucé (28218)) located in France?
Lucé (Lucé (28218)) is a commune located in Centre-Val de Loire in the Eure-et-Loir region of France (coordinates: 48.4383°N, 1.465°E, 159 m elevation). It has a population of 15,755 across Regional km² (Urban/Town/km²).
How do I get to Lucé by SNCF train?
Travelers reach Lucé via Gare de Lucé (0.9 km) and the main regional gateway of Gare de Tours, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps & Orléans (SNCF TGV INOUI & Rémi TER). TGV INOUI from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps / Tours in 1h00; SNCF Rémi trains from Paris Austerlitz to Orléans (1h05), Blois-Chambord (1h25) and Amboise (1h50), plus Chartres (1h05 from Montparnasse). Compare fares and travel times in our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare Calculator.
What local food is Lucé (Centre-Val de Loire) known for?
In Lucé and across Centre-Val de Loire, signature regional dishes include Crottin de Chavignol, Sainte-Maure de Touraine & Valençay goat cheeses, Tarte Tatin from Lamotte-Beuvron & Pithiviers almond cake, Rillons & Rillettes de Tours, plus Loire freshwater fish with beurre blanc & Fouées bread pockets and Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray & Chinon AOC Loire Valley wines. Look for artisan boulangeries, weekly open-air marchés, and bistros offering a weekday Formule du Midi.
When is the best time of year to visit Lucé?
For Lucé (Centre-Val de Loire, 159 m elevation): Best time to visit Centre-Val de Loire: Apr–Oct. Check our France Seasonal Calendar for month-by-month weather and festival highlights.
Official Sources & References for Lucé
Official commune, rail, and tourism references for Lucé (Centre-Val de Loire, 48.4383°N, 1.465°E) verified against Atout France, SNCF Connect, and INSEE / GeoNames data.