Under the trees, in the tranquility of the edge of the Eure… here, we have a drink with friends, we have a snack with the family and we take advantage of the good weather while listening to live bands. Little Venice, the Guinguette de Chartres, is a place that lives. So when the place had to close during the health crisis, there was no question of falling asleep for the manager Maximilien Lheureux, on the contrary! The 30-something saw it as an opportunity to modernize nautical facilities.
The particularity of this open-air terrace is its access to the Eure. The river is ideal for pedal boating, kayaking, and residents and tourists alike have been enjoying it for many years. Impossible to go to the city center because of the locks, the route goes more towards the parks on the banks of the Eure de Lisant or Barjouville. “It is very shaded and green, we see hundred-year-old trees there, it is quite rich”, according to the young boss.
The novelty are electric motor boats. There is something for everyone! Children board small pirate or fire ships, while adults have a drink aboard a custom-designed boat. “The idea is to go with the cooler, get wet in a buoy and taste a few oysters without drifting,” says Maximilien. An activity by reservation which also allows you to extend the terrace.
For the evening, the guinguette wants to attract customers, but also musicians. “Word of mouth works well, we have artists who come back every year, and others who want to come because they hear about us”, assures the young boss. And for him no question of confining himself to one style of music: pop, reggae or rap, whatever, priority to live. Besides, don’t be surprised if it’s a Parisian group, the capital is only an hour by train or car.
“Little Venice – the Guinguette de Chartres” on Facebook and Instagram. Open all summer, depending on the weather. From 4 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on weekends.
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