Saint-Paul-en-Jarez lies at the foot of the Pilat, above the Gier Valley. A former fortified village on the slopes of the Jarez, it combines historic buildings with hiking trails and a weekly producers’ market. For planning, a 11.5-kilometre loop, an interpretation trail with explanatory panels, and farm visits available by reservation each offer a different focus.
Hiking Trails and Landscape
The Le sentier des Fabriques loop is 11.5 km long and passes through the Dorlay Valley and over the Crêt de Montieux. It starts and ends at the Parking des Fabriques in Saint-Paul-en-Jarez. Along the way, it passes the Croix du Mazet and the Ferme du Carré before continuing to Montieux. The length, start and end points, and landmarks provide a clear overview of the route.
The marked “tour du Parc” hiking trail also crosses the Croix du Mazet. There is a stopping point for vehicles at the Croix, as well as a clear line of sight between the valleys. This gives the site its own connection to the landscape, in addition to its role on two hiking trails. The trails can be distinguished by different features: the sentier des Fabriques has a stated length and several landmarks, while the tour du Parc is identified by its crossing of the Croix.
Local History and Buildings
Saint-Paul-en-Jarez is a former fortified village on the slopes of the Jarez with a rich heritage. The HĂ´tel de Lafond-Poidebard is an 18th-century manor house with marble fireplaces and Louis XV wood panelling. Its courtyard contains a historic swing pump, which is listed as a historic monument. Architecture and protected status come together here, though they do not tell the same story.
The Château de la Motte Rouge, also known as Château Grange Merlin, is now privately owned and listed as a historic monument. It was built by the Granjon-Maniquet/de la Motte-Rouge family. The Usine Coffy offers a different focus: it preserves industrial equipment, including a steam engine and a chimney with a square cross-section. Local history, architecture and industry thus stand alongside one another as distinct themes.
Interpretation Trail and Getting There
The “Sur les traces de notre passé” interpretation trail has explanatory panels along its route. This gives it a different emphasis from the Le sentier des Fabriques loop: here, explanatory panels accompany the trail, whereas the other route has a stated length of 11.5 km and several landmarks.
The interpretation trail can be reached from the railway town of Saint-Chamond by STAS bus routes 81 or 44. A public transport stop and a bus stop are located less than 500 metres from the trail. Bus routes and access information may change; check current connections before travelling.
Visits to the Ferme au son des cloches
The Ferme au son des cloches offers tailored activities for individuals, families, leisure centres, school groups and special-interest groups. Visits may cover dairy farming and smaller livestock holdings, as well as the family garden. Other possible topics include the water cycle, purification using reed beds, and solar panels. Visits are available by prior reservation only; check the reservation details in advance.
Producers’ Market at Parking des Pins
The producers’ market at Parking des Pins brings together vendors of vegetables, dairy products, cheese, meat products and baked goods each week. This adds a specific food focus to the area’s hiking and heritage themes. Market dates and vendors may change; check both before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Pommiers, Doizieux, Nervieux, Chavanay, L'etrat, Saint-Nizier-Sous-Charlieu, Renaison, Unieux.
Return to the main travel overview: Loire.
