Things to see and do Loire

Sail-les-Bains, of its Latin name Satio Aqua Saliens - jaillissantes waters, has always been renowned for its thermal waters. The Romans, unaware of the use of "chemical" medicine, attached great importance to mineral waters. The diversity of the Springs of Sail-les-Bains was a complete "pharmacy". After this exciting period, the thermal waters have remained a long period without history and it is truly the Renaissance that will give them fashion. This place was the favourite stay of the great ladies of the courtyard of Henri III. Two characters really gave their nobility to Sail waters: Diane de Châteaumorand, wife of Honoré d'Urfé, author of the famous novel «L'Astrée» - was known for her dazzling beauty and regularly came to the baths to make the healing of youth safer and to heal her complexion. Pastor, who in 1878, by a handwritten letter, officially acknowledges the qualities of Sail's waters that remain renowned for treating skin, joints and nutrition. They also have the virtues of rejuvenation. Pasteur considered this water to have «a huge value» and placed it in the «first rank of the most active waters». The thirties are those of prosperity; the post-war era makes it an appointment to the fashion of the stars of the time. But in 1985 a fire partially destroyed the hotel and marked the provisional decline of the establishment. 1998 marked the renewal of mineral waters with the restoration of uptake of the Hamel source (13 m 3/h at 28 ° C). Today, with a new state-of-the-art bottling plant - with a production capacity of 2 500 bottles per hour, set in the heart of the magnificent spa park, Sail-les-Bains mineral waters now find themselves in the market for large distribution.

Historic medieval city built on the foothills of the Madeleine mountains in a defensive situation. During your visit, you will be able to discover the remains of its rich past with its half-timbered mansions like the house of the Constable, the remarkable Maison house for its facade of glazed bricks, the big door with the coats of arms of the Dukes of Bourbon and the counts of Du, its tower built in the th century by the Vicomtes de Mâcon, the old halls, the panoramic table at the top of the tower and the dial. solar. Throughout the tour of the buildings information panels give you all the details, take the route in the right direction. The village is illuminated at night.

This is a small commune that always moves very much, thanks to its own initiative union! Since 2004, there have been no fewer than 47 exhibitions around the plastic arts, tourism, history and writing that have come to the house of associations. In all, 77 creators gave birth to this cultural place that works rather well! To celebrate this, the summer of 2011 was the occasion to offer a retrospective of this journey in the form of several exhibitions throughout the village with a summer circuit that visitors had to follow. On the theme Red love, the tone was given: poetry, music, creative participation of visitors, Saint-Julien-Molin-Wheel was in joy! Opening, concerts, welcoming painters, sculptors, photographers and video designers, it was unthinkable to miss this! Who knows you will see it (still) next year…

The Syndicat Mixte des Monts de la Madeleine is a must for anyone interested in the environment and renewable natural resources. The Monts de la Madeleine offer a rich history, natural beauty and mysteries to discover. We hope to see you there soon!

This splendid building, which combines the Gothic style with the Renaissance style, has successively undergone different functions: property of the Dukes of Bourbons until 1527, the princely residence, and then the hotel, lodging of stage for officers and post office in the service of the King, Maréchaussée brigade in 1737, presbytery under the Second Empire. It served as a welcome to prestigious guests. Here you can admire a splendid and imposing roof as well as a remarkable structure (renversée boat). Inside, many coated graffiti and frescos adorn thick walls. The Renaissance entrance door is surmounted by a sculpted shell where two angels have a stone coat, damaged by revolution. Legend wants them not to be destroyed in the revolution because "without panties". During the season you can visit the Petit Louvre but also enjoy various temporary exhibitions (paintings, sculptures).

The first monks settled in Apple in 834. In 960 they passed under the administration of Cluny. The first church is then abandoned in favour of a new Romanesque building, now Parish Church Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul. In the th century, the priory changed the strong house and endowed it with a Renaissance facade. After the Revolution of large bourgeois families buy the places and turn them into a residential castle. In 1990 the general council became owner, supported the restoration to open it to the public. Many temporary exhibitions offer the beauty of the places!

Model, photo exhibitions.

Below the village, the dolmen of Roche Cubertelle crossed the ages. Real mégalithe, dated the third millennium before Jesus Christ, he testifies to the ancient occupation of what will become the territory of the Ségusiaves before the arrival of the Celts.

This former moulinage factory of the th century, located in the middle of nature, surrounded by natural meadows, wood and fir, bogs, ponds and streams, has been set up in a permanent Centre for Environmental Initiatives (CPIE) and serves as a site for the discovery of nature and mountains. The building has 63 beds, divided into three-to six-bed rooms to accommodate school groups. Many activities around nature are proposed.

A collection of French and foreign helmets, a unique model of the Dieppe fire station made of cardboard and newsprint, models of equipment used by the Paris fire brigade, a series of halls lined with superb trucks in the emblematic red, this museum is the third in France on the theme of fire soldiers. A permanent exhibition on the World Trade Center attacks pays tribute to the firemen who died in the exercise of their duty. A real curiosity!

This conservatory museum is run by passionate volunteers and artist-craftsmen. This temple of Saint-Etienne's know-how gathers the greatest masterpieces of the best craftsmen of France in our region in all fields: weapons, engravings, jewelry, textiles, cabinet making... If this conservatory will fill you with wonder, you can in turn take part in the workshops open to the public. A playful moment.

In an ancient th century residence, renovated, an interactive space dedicated to the Registrar of Guillaume Revel: This cupbearer of Charles I, duke of Bourbon, composed, at the request of his prince, around 1450, a vast repertoire of sculptures of coats, fortresses and fortified towns in the county of Forez. Opportunity to discover the political history of our region, close to a hundred châtellenies, and life in the th century.

The priory, classified as a historical monument since 1899, is singular and enigmatic! Perched on its peak where, during the summer season, you can discover a discreet Mediterranean flora, it is visible from far away. The priory church, a prestigious reminder of Forézien Romanesque art, is remarkable for its frescoes created between the 10th and 15th centuries, notably an Annunciation and the Martyrdom of Saint-Romain of Antioch. For any information, contact the association Aldebertus.

You are of a nature to have the head in the moon or you followed the adventures of Thomas Pesquet? Then you are ready for an intergalactic journey in 2 or 3D. In the room equipped with a dome and a half-sphere screen, comfortably installed in your armchair, come and live an adventure mixing knowledge and mystery around the universe and the planets. Films and animations in hyperrealistic immersion, there is something for all ages, whether you are a connoisseur or not.

La Cure, the tourist and cultural centre is located in the heart of the village of St Jean - St Maurice sur Loire, a real balcony on the River Loire. This cluster combines a tourist information point, a local production shop, a workshop on art, an exhibition space "the house of the priest", a four-step bed and breakfast for pilgrims from Santiago de Compostela and a hiking area. Throughout the year, the Cure hosts animations, exhibitions, courses and various shows for small and large (programme on request or at www.ccor.fr).

This site presents an incomparable panorama of the mountains of the Madeleine with the castle of the Cornes Horns, the Black Woods with the monastery of Notre-Dame-de-l'Hermitage, the Monts Mountains with the radars of Pierre-sur-Haute, the highest point of the department at 1 634 meters, the Monts du Lyonnais with the Matagrin Tower, the Neulise plateau, the Forez plain, so on. that, in clear time, a view on the Alpine channel. Next to you will see the castle of water dating back to 1961, which was far from by its form in mushroom, the Madonna representing the Virgin of Lourdes and dating from 1885 and a mileage coming from the hamlet of Vassauges, where the Roman route crossed the town from east to west and connected Lyon to Clermont-Ferrand.

A natural park in 1974, the Pilat covers a surface area of 700 km ². It reaches 1 432 metres, at the Crêt de la Partridge. The vegetation is very rich because of the many climatic influences, thus constituting an important reserve for the fauna and flora of this mountainous region. This protected site houses rare species such as the circaète Jean-le-blanc or the soulflayer shrike. Haut Pilat is located in the welcoming village of Rochetaillée (only 6 km from Saint-Etienne) and its th century castle overlooking the Furan valley. Winter is perfect for the escapades and continue to the Bessat is an interesting idea because the place is ideal for oxygenate outdoors. There are numerous hiking trails on the Jasserie road. The Nordic area of Haut-Pilat offers a number of activities such as cross-country skiing, as well as children, and they are delighted to be able to enjoy the joy of the'kart'déval.

This 230 m ² museum is entirely dedicated to coffee, its history, its consumption, its botanical and aromas. The presentation begins with a cartoon depicting the famous legend of the Shepherd Kaldi who finds the coffee. Then travel to the country of green gold and brown gold, browse the world coffee plantations and see the evolution of coffee from flower to grain, dive into the world of roasting and discover the transformations of the coffeemaker through times as well as various packaging and marketing techniques. This museum is considered interactive and playful. At the end of the visit, you can test your smell at the odor table.

This archeological space in the city center brings together some sixty members passionate about the history and archeology of our department. Even if the premises are small, everything is exposed, in a very didactic way, to present the evolution of societies that have inhabited our region from Prehistory to the Lower Middle Ages, with life scenes reconstructions, models, objects from archeological excavations. The rich collections of explanations span several centuries by covering different themes: daily life, religion, beliefs, crafts and trade. Field trips are organized, including the Roman aqueduct of Gier.

The House of the Hermitage is the great reliquary of Marcellin Champagnat. The Marist Brothers today have about 3,000 members working with young people in 80 countries around the world. At Notre-Dame de l'Hermitage you will first of all be able to discover the life and work of the Marists founded. This place is also a destination for pilgrims who come to pray in front of the reliquary of Saint Marcellin, displayed in the chapel of Notre-Dame. Apart from its primary vocation, which is to welcome Marists from all over the world, this establishment, totally renovated in 2010, is organized to receive people seeking a personal retreat.

The Maison des étangs du Forez and the Réserve de Biterne, located in Arthun, offer visitors an exceptional natural setting in which to stroll and enjoy the landscape of the Forez ponds. The Réserve de Biterne offers an open-access trail with three observatories for watching the ponds and wild waterfowl. The Maison des étangs du Forez, meanwhile, houses an interactive exhibition on the ponds of the Forez region, as well as an observatory offering a breathtaking view of the Reserve's ponds. The discovery trail and observatories are open to visitors every day. To reach the Maison des étangs du Forez and the Réserve de Biterne, simply follow the road signs from the D42.

This museum, named after its creator, Jean-Marie Somet, a former village miner and survivor of the infamous Chana disaster, displays many remains of Villars' mining past. Testimonies (objects, writings...) evoking trimmings and local history are also presented. This small museum, with its rich collections, managed by the Association du Vieux Villars, has just been renovated and opened again after four years of work. This museum allows you to discover or rediscover the history of Villars, which had an important past but which is still not well known today

Saint-Étienne is the only city to have kept its tramway without interruption since its creation. A transport museum was therefore necessary. In a vast room, you will discover the history of the tram, the preferred means of transport in the heart of the people of Stephan. Coaches, trolleybuses... are also mentioned for having contributed to the history of the Saint-Etienne conurbation. You will rediscover the green Vetra BB trolleybus, which was in use in the 1960s. You are welcomed by enthusiasts who will be happy to provide you with additional information. A story to discover with life-size vehicles, a real pleasure for young and old alike.

Le Pavillon des Créateurs is a cultural venue located in Saint-Galmier. It is an art gallery, exhibition space, foundation and cultural center. The association was created in 2012 with the aim of highlighting the artistic work of creators.

Let yourself be told the commune of Briennon by a Martin-fisherman, who will guide you into panel panels on the discovery trail «Between slipway and shore». At the start of the port, this 4,8 kilometre walk is ready for family walks, including the small games and quizzes that feed the trail. The circuit invites you to discover the omniprésence of water in Briennon by crossing the shores of the Loire and the Canal canal in Digoin. The main points of interest are the Teyssonne Canal bridge, the Cul Ass and the Briennon lock.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 p. m.

Difficulty: .

The Maison du Tourisme de Chalmazel welcomes you all year round, at the village and at the resort. You will be informed about leisure activities (winter or summer sports, mountain biking, hiking and many others), cultural heritage, demonstrations, etc. not only on the Chalmazel area, but also on the territory of Loire Forez, which is part of the municipality. You will find on the website all the useful information about accommodation in order to spend a pleasant stay on the slopes!

The parish church was built at the end of the th century in volcanic stone by the Rochetaillée family, which gave this magnificent monument to the commune. It houses a golden altarpiece representing the Madonna and the Child Jesus. There is also a pietà (one of the only remains of the old church) and a splendid organ, pride of the city that enhances the ceremonies of the Sunday assemblies. Aristide Cavaille-Coll was his builder, recognized as the greatest organ factor of the th century.

It is here, overlooking the city, that the remains of the feudal castle of the dukes of Bourbon and Urfé are found. Nearby, we find the chapel Notre-Dame-du-Château, Gothic style (of the xivth century and Gothic style where the funeral of Anne d 'Urfé was held, which was under Charles IX third royal bailli of the Forez and gentleman of the king.

The village of Aris consists of houses hugging each other and built around two circular lanes. At the time of the stroll, you can see a th century fortified farmhouse, a house house, characteristic porches, bouteroues, a well. The hamlet of Aris (Aris from the cadastre, Arris according to the current mapping) is located approximately 1,5 km from the roundabout of La Poste on the right of the D 8 towards Saint-Germain-Laval.

The church of the Madeleine, chapel of the castle, was built in 1183 and restored after the destruction of the wars of Religion, the square choir and steeple of the th century are classified in Historical monuments. The bells are classified in Historical Monuments, one date of 1559, the other of 1645, having, according to this inscription: " The virtue of calling the people of God, to repel the hostile attacks of lightning and demon, to remove the weather of the air and to protect the fruits of the earth. '»»»»

Departure: entrance to the village parking village. Distance: 3,6 km, duration: 2 h. The trail offers many varieties of deciduous, shrubs, conifers, species typical of wetlands and bois such as heather, blueberry, mosses… Beautiful panorama on the mountains of Lyonnais, Forez and Du, visible from the orientation table. If you have time, visit the Cravate Museum and the Zoonat De or the flour Mill of Master Marcel or the llamas from Lafayette to Chambost-Longessaigne.