Gallo-Roman route known as the way of Julius Caesar or the way of Chartres (also in communes of Semerville, Verdes and Membrolles)
Gallo-Roman route known as the way of Julius Caesar or the way of Chartres (also in communes of Semerville, Verdes and Membrolles) à La Colombe dans le Loir-et-Cher
Patrimoine classé
Vestiges Gallo-romain
Voies romaines
Gallo-Roman route known as the way of Julius Caesar or the way of Chartres (also in communes of Semerville, Verdes and Membrolles)
Mention in cartular Moyen Âge (≈ 1125)
Cited as *Blesencis calceatus callis* (Saint-Laumer Abbey).
1750-1790 (environ)
Card of Cassini
Card of Cassini 1750-1790 (environ) (≈ 1770)
Appears under Blois.
1851
Drying of Lake Dunois
Drying of Lake Dunois 1851 (≈ 1851)
End of ancient dike in Verdes.
1978
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 1978 (≈ 1978)
Protection of sections of Beauce la Romaine.
1981
Membrolles
Membrolles 1981 (≈ 1981)
Cut revealing the impervious structure.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Gallo-Roman route known as the way of Julius Caesar: classification by decree of 6 September 1978
Key figures
Jules César - Associated symbolic figure
Name traditionally linked, without direct evidence.
Moines de Saint-Laumer - Medieval authors
Mention the path in a cartular.
Cassini (famille) - Cartographers
This is the way in the 18th century.
Origin and history
The way of Julius Caesar, also known as the Road to Chartres, is an ancient road about 100 km from Chartres (Eure-et-Loir) to Blois (Loir-et-Cher). Its path, marked by straight lines, is still visible today in the form of paths, roads or boundaries. Although his name refers to Julius Caesar, his origin could be Gaulish, with subsequent corrections to Roman times. It was used for the transport of wood, grains and wool between the Beauce and the Marchenoir forest.
Ranked a historic monument in 1978, this route crosses several communes, including Beauce la Romaine, where sections retain their original appearance. At Membrolles, an archaeological section of 1981 reveals a stone structure aligned (20-25 cm) on a levelling layer, with edges in medium apparatus. Large from 7 to 8 meters, it sometimes forms a dike, as south of Verdes, where it bars the Eagle and closes the former Dunois lake.
Its medieval history is attested by records in the cartular of the Abbey of Saint-Laumer de Blois (Blesencis calceatus callis) and on the map of Cassini (path of Blois). Local toponyms, such as "Chauffours" (antique ovens) or "la Chaussay" (embedded coat), highlight its prolonged use. Although attributed to Julius Caesar by tradition, this route probably existed, illustrating the Roman reuse of Gallic paths.
The path crosses a variety of landscapes: valleys (Conie, Aigre), Marchenoir forest, and towns like Oucques or Vievy-le-Rayé. Its route, partially uncertain (e.g. Marchenoir forest), is now confused with departmental roads (D935, D127, D924). Milestones or columns (e.g., columna at La Colombe) may have staked its course.
Its economic role was major: wood supply (walker forest), grains (Beauce), and wool for cities like Chartres or Blois. This function lasted until the 19th century. The path also symbolizes the medieval tendency to attribute to the Romans — and to Caesar in particular — the ancient infrastructures, with some forty "Jules Caesar's ways" being recorded in France.
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