Notre-Dame-De-Boisset can be explored through two themes: its long Marian history and two marked circular trails that run through the commune. When planning a stay, you can choose between a cultural and historical focus and time spent in the countryside. Specific points of interest include a chaplaincy built around 1070, the memory of a pilgrimage that was important for centuries, and trails through valleys, along waterways, and across fields and forests.
Marian history and memorials
The chaplaincy, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was built around 1070 and elevated to a parish in the Diocese of Mâcon. The Marian shrine remained a thriving pilgrimage center until the 19th century. Mass is celebrated in Notre-Dame-De-Boisset at 10:30 a.m. on August 15. If you would like to time your stay to coincide with this date, check the current Mass time in advance.
A votive painting in the church commemorates the reception and accommodation of 89 refugees displaced from Lorraine during the Second World War. A white statue of the Virgin Mary bearing the Miraculous Medal was also placed on the façade of the parish church. The painting records a specific episode from wartime; the statue reflects the Marian character of the village. The village’s history thus brings together both its religious tradition and the memory of an event from the war years.
Walking trails through the countryside
The two signposted circular trails cross the commune. They run through valleys and along waterways, as well as across fields and forests. On the local walking trails, you can discover the area’s flora and fauna, as well as its formerly dispersed settlement pattern. Nature watching and a glimpse of the area’s historic settlement pattern go hand in hand. The Escapade Boscoise is a rural walk between Notre-Dame-De-Boisset and Pradines Abbey, crossing numerous streams.
Numerous deciduous forests and the landscape’s varied changes with the seasons also give the timing of a trip its own significance. If you can choose your dates flexibly, you can take these seasonal changes into account when planning.
Dining and getting there
Auberge de Boisset serves refined cuisine featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. In fine weather, meals are served on a terrace in a garden surrounded by greenery. If you have the terrace in mind, check in advance whether it will be available on the day of your visit. A meal here can be planned as a separate activity alongside exploring the area’s history and walking trails.
Notre-Dame-De-Boisset is well connected by road, with the A72 toward Saint-Étienne and Clermont-Ferrand and the A89 toward Lyon. August offers a specific date for the Mass, while the landscape changes over the course of the year. This distinction can guide your choice of when to stay.
Discover more destinations: Neulise, Épercieux-Saint-Paul, Bussières, Bellegarde-en-Forez, Saint-Nizier-De-Fornas, Saint-Bonnet-Le-Courreau, Saint-Rirand, Malleval.
For the broader travel overview: Loire.
