Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières offers several options for your stay: two hiking trails with different distances and estimated walking times, historical landmarks from different periods, and a Friday market. You can start by deciding whether you would rather spend your time hiking, exploring local history or visiting the market. The specific trail details will help you compare the two hiking options.
Choose a hiking trail by time and distance
The “Jeu de regards sur Méginand” nature trail starts in Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières. It is a 10-kilometre circular route with an estimated walking time of around three and a half hours. The trail offers views of the Alps and Mont Blanc. Its distance, circular route and views make it a hiking option in its own right if you are planning a longer walk.
The “Sentier du Ribes et du Ratier” runs alongside the Ratier stream and leads, among other places, to the Roman bridge. It is 8.8 kilometres long, takes around two hours to walk and has an elevation gain of 177 metres. This gives you specific information about distance, time and elevation gain for planning your walk.
In direct comparison, the Sentier is 1.2 kilometres shorter than the nature trail; its estimated walking time is also shorter, at around two hours instead of three and a half. If you are weighing up how much time you have available for hiking, this difference offers a clear guide. You can therefore distinguish between the trails by distance and time required, while keeping their respective features in mind.
Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières also has 42 hectares of classified woodland. This area figure adds another aspect of the town to the specific measurements of the two hiking trails.
Local history from different periods
In 1978, the foundations of a Gallo-Roman villa dating from the 2nd century BC were discovered in Les Hautprés. The two dates serve different purposes: 1978 refers to the discovery, while the 2nd century BC dates the villa. This gives the town a historical connection reaching far back into antiquity.
The Castel de la Sablière, on what is now Rue Marius Poncet, features architectural elements from the 12th century. Fort de Chapoly, also known as Fort de Méginand, was built between 1890 and 1893 as part of Lyon’s defensive ring. Both structures represent much later periods in local and regional history. The Eglise Saint Barthélémy has stained-glass windows and is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, the patron saint of tanners. Together, these details offer a variety of historical and cultural points of reference, without any single period defining the town’s character on its own.
Friday market and finding accommodation
The market of local producers and food artisans takes place on Fridays from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Lafaurie, from Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières, is represented as a charcutier-traiteur (delicatessen and catering business). As the market offering and participants may change, check the hours and current vendors in advance if you are planning a visit.
If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières, your preferred focus for the trip can help guide your choice of where to stay: for example, the time you want to spend on one of the hiking trails, your interest in local history, or a visit to the Friday market. The differences in trail distances and the set market hours offer specific points of reference.
Discover more destinations: Taluyers, Montrottier, Caluire-Et-Cuire, Ternand, Saint-Bonnet-De-Mure, Saint-Martin-en-Haut, Pommiers, Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or.
For the broader travel overview: Rhône.
