Discover Ranchal through its specific walking destinations and religious heritage. When choosing what to see, consider the type of visit you have in mind: the sentier de la chlorophylle is a circular trail of a set length, the Parcours des Croix features several treasure-hunt routes, while the chapel and parish church offer their own historical points of interest. This lets you decide in advance whether you are mainly looking for a hiking route, a cross-discovery tour, or architectural and church history.

Circular Trail and Treasure-Hunt Routes

The sentier de la chlorophylle is a six-kilometre circular route starting at Notre-Dame de la Rochette. The trail is marked, secured and equipped with interpretation panels about the surrounding area. If you like to plan a set distance when hiking, the stated length gives you a useful point of reference. Route details may be updated, so check the latest information before setting out.

Amis guides en terre beaujolaise offer a guided tour of the sentier Chlorophylle in Ranchal. If you would like to plan the tour with a guide, check availability before your trip.

Ranchal’s Parcours des Croix offers a different focus: three marked treasure-hunt routes lead you to 35 crosses. While the sentier de la chlorophylle is described as a circular route of a set length, this trail experience centres on the crosses and the treasure hunt. You can choose between two distinct types of route: a clearly defined loop or several routes inviting you to discover the crosses. Check the associated leaflet before following a route.

Chapel and Parish Church

The Notre-Dame de la Rochette Chapel is a cultural destination in its own right. Admission is free, and the chapel is open every day throughout the year. Opening hours may change, so check the information before your visit. A statue of the Virgin Mary, created by Fabisch, stands above the chapel. The chapel was added to the monument in 1879 or 1880. These dates give the chapel and statue a specific historical context without taking your attention away from Ranchal’s walking trails.

Ranchal’s parish church was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century and consecrated on 28 September 1898. The parish is dedicated to Saint Martin and is believed to be at least 600 years old. Ranchal’s parish is dedicated to Saint Martin and is believed to be at least 600 years old.

The Croix Bleue Peat Bog

As a landscape feature, the Croix Bleue peat bog complements the trails and historic sites with a distinctive geological feature. The bog lies at an altitude of around 800 metres. There, a clay layer retains water over an area of approximately one hectare. Both the altitude and the area are approximate. The area stated refers to the section where the clay layer retains water. If you are weighing up different interests for your trip to Ranchal, you will find three clearly distinct themes: the circular trail, the cross treasure-hunt routes, and culture and landscape. You can consider the information for each theme separately when making your choice, rather than combining them into a single outing.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Laurent-De-Chamousset, Saint-Étienne-La-Varenne, Fontaines-sur-Saône, Jullié, Marcy-Lʼétoile, Légny, Charnay, Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin.

For the broader travel overview: Rhône.