Illiers-Combray: Museums, Exhibitions & Discounts

Illiers-Combray is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. The town gained literary significance as it served as the inspiration for the fictional village of Combray in Marcel Proust's masterpiece "À la recherche du temps perdu" (In Search of Lost Time). Originally named Illiers, the town added "Combray" to its name in 1971 to honor this connection with Proust, who spent his childhood holidays here at his aunt's house.

The town maintains much of its historic character with medieval architecture and the famous Pré Catelan garden, which was the model for the garden described in Proust's novel. The house of Aunt Léonie, where Proust spent his summers, is now a museum dedicated to the author's life and work. The town represents an important piece of French literary heritage while maintaining its authentic rural French charm.