Montlandon is a small commune in the Perche area of Eure-et-Loir, best approached as a lived-in rural community and a stop on a longer walk rather than a large visitor complex. INSEE records 252 municipal residents for the commune in the 2023 reference population, effective on 1 January 2026; the figure covers the municipal territory, not only the village centre. The local scale gives a visit its quiet character: a parish landmark, a close-knit association life and open countryside are the main threads.
Saint-Jacques and the written record
The church of Saint-Jacques has been the focus of a long local preservation effort. The association's history pages reproduce an extract from the parish registers for a baptism on 21 March 1619, naming the child, parents and godparents. That is a dated archival trace of parish life; it does not by itself establish when the present building was constructed. The association documents the church's restoration and notes that it received a departmental heritage award. Its description also points to carved scallop shells on the pediment as signs of a medieval pilgrim connection. That reading is part of the association's local heritage interpretation, not independent proof that Montlandon was an officially documented Compostela stop. Look for the church's renewed fabric and details around the square, but check access before planning an interior visit: opening has been associated with specific heritage events rather than guaranteed daily entry.
A walking route through the Perche
For walkers, the clearest verified itinerary is the Perche section of the GR35. The Terres de Perche route sheet, dated 21 June 2026, describes a 69.9-kilometre crossing from La Loupe to Illiers-Combray, lists Montlandon among the communes on the way and recommends allowing three days. It is classed as intermediate, with white-and-red GR markings; the guide estimates that 33 to 50 per cent of the route is on paved roads. This is a regional through-route, not a short circular walk starting in the village. Check the current GPX or guide, public access, weather and signs before leaving, and do not assume that a historic track or a video animation is a substitute for current wayfinding. La Loupe, about 9.1 kilometres away according to the state directory's France Services listing, is the practical nearby service centre.
Local activity and practical details
Montlandon's economic footprint is small: INSEE reports 20 jobs located in the commune in 2023 and five employer establishments at the end of 2024. The small establishment count is split among construction, trade and services, and public, education, health and social activities; most employed residents work elsewhere. The intercommunal planning diagnosis records a quarry described as active at Butte de la Fosse when that document was prepared. It is not a visitor attraction; check its present status and access with the authorities, and do not enter without permission. Association life offers another view of the commune: Amis du Modélisme de Montlandon (A2M) maintains model-railway networks and has held exhibitions in the village. The 2017 videos below preserve that particular event; check A2M's current calendar rather than treating an old film as an upcoming date.
The state directory lists the mairie at 8 rue de la Mairie and currently shows Tuesday 17:00–19:00 and Friday 09:00–11:00 opening windows. Confirm these hours and any local business or church access before travelling. A compact stop can combine the square and church exterior; a longer visit works best as part of the GR35 crossing or a scheduled association event.
