Monuments to visit Loire

A breathtaking medieval monument of civil architecture! Built around 1295, on the orders of John I, Earl of Forez, probably on the occasion of his marriage to Alix de Viennois, the heraldic hall of La Diana was intended to host celebrations and assemblies. Its ogival wooden vault decorated with 1728 coats of arms, certainly by families invited to the wedding, is exceptional. A fantastic animal décor at the base of the vaults completes this extraordinary ceiling. A monumental fireplace contributes to the sumptuous decor. The overall design and profusion of colours of this Gothic ceiling impresses and one thinks of the splendour of past ceremonies.

Urfé Castle, known as Urfé's Horns, was born of the rivalry of two great feudal women who fought the roannais territory in the th century. To get to the Count of Forez, and to resist him, the sire of Beaujeu installs a post of surveillance above Champoly, facing the fortifications of the Count in Saint-Just-en-Bridge, Cervière, Crozet and Roanne. A modest beginning, around 1130 a large isolated tower at the top of a rock is erected. The burden of maintaining this strategic position was entrusted to the Raybe family, who cleverly knew how to take advantage of it, taking a long balance between the two overlords, until the day when, in 1234, she made a final bid to Count de Forez. Two centuries later was built the castle we know. Guichard of Urfé, seneschal from Quercy, chamberlain of the Duke of Orleans, was probably the director, before being murdered. The family was continued with the descendants of Arnoul, brother of the deceased. The fortress was built in Renaissance style by Anne d'Urfé, the brother of L'Astrée. Anne lived as a provincial chief of the League until 1618. Last consolidated in 1704, the heavy building resisted the storms until the Revolution. She then belonged to Durand-Antoine de Meaux, guillotiné in Feurs in 1793. His heirs will regain their property and their current descendants still possess them, but the fortress will never be restored.

The Canal Canal in Digoin, a long 55 km long (37 m distance - 10 locks), was built from 1832 to 1838 with the aim of complementing the little navigable course of the Loire. Thus it allowed to develop relations with the North and East of France - expedition of tile, wire and fabrics of Roanne and Charlieu, mineral waters of Saint-Galmier, Vichy or Sail-sous-Couzan…, imported coal from the North, Rouen cotton, ores, Sablons de Nemours for glass plants… - while contributing to the glass. economic growth in the region with the establishment of many plants along its banks (brick, mills, arsenal…). Expanded to the Freycinet template in 1905, it saw at its peak (1938) 3 217 boats carrying 459 304 tonnes of cargo. Before the motorisation, the boats were hâlés by men and horses (or mule) at 12 km a day. However, the appearance of rail and the development of the road network had gradually been due to him and the canal was completely abandoned for freight transport in the s. On the other hand, it has been very successful because it is now very much appreciated for recreational boating. It is connected to the Centre Canal and the side canal to the Loire.

A few minutes from the neighborhoods of La Métare, the castle of Rochetaillée proudly displays the ruins of its ramparts. An iron staircase allows you to visit the interior free of charge and without supervision (some panels are used for guided tours). Built on a quartz peak, this building dates back to the 11th century and has only 3 of its 4 original towers. Accessible day and night, the top of the towers offers a breathtaking view of the village and its surroundings!

Around Chazelles, you can still see the chimneys of the old chapelleries boiler. Indeed, Chazelles counted more than 30 artisan or industrial chapelleries that can be discovered in the city. For example, in Martouret Street, the now disused Fléchet factory will be found. This company, operating from 1859 to 1976, was one of the largest in the city and exported its production worldwide. Towards the Rue de la Liberté, the passage of the White Hat takes its name from an headgear that manufactured only white felt cones… As for St. Galmier's Highway No. 16, former headgear Blanchard today hosts the Workshop-Musée du Chapeau.

First, the castle of Roche-la-Molière was a 12th century fortress. Modified in the 15th century and then in the 18th century, it is one of the rare medieval remains of the southern Loire. Surrounded by a magnificent garden, the castle opens its doors to you for a visit among its towers, curtains, machicolation... 13th century kitchen with a very rare set of 3 ovens, 17th century vaults decorated with coats of arms, 18th century salons and Kabyle lounge, chapel decorated with paintings... a great historical interest. Temporary exhibitions are regularly organized.

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!