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Discover La chapelle-en-lafaye, Loire, Rhône-Alpes

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Tucked away in the heart of the Rhône-Alpes region, La chapelle-en-lafaye is a charming town that beckons visitors to explore and unwind. Meander through its picturesque streets and uncover a wealth of natural and cultural treasures.

For outdoor enthusiasts, hiking trails around La chapelle-en-lafaye offer breathtaking views of the rolling landscapes typical of the Loire. In autumn, the forests a...
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Walking around La chapelle-en-lafaye

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Explore the parks and paths of La chapelle-en-lafaye.
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What to do in La chapelle-en-lafaye

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Explore the bookable activity options in La chapelle-en-lafaye for all tastes and ages.
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What to visit in La chapelle-en-lafaye

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Attend events organized in La chapelle-en-lafaye.
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Village of Character
727 m

Village of Character

Montarcher lies between the Velay and Forez Mounts, and the Livradois Mountains. This village, perched at 1160 metres above sea level, offers an uninterrupted 360° view from the mound of the old fort. Perched at a height of 1,160 meters, Montarcher proudly displays its heritage charged with a tumultuous history. Already populated before the invasion of the Celts, it was in turn refuge, stronghold and place of worship. Visitors can discover an outstanding panorama and a source of fresh air. The village dominates Andrable Valley from a lofty granite peak 1,150 metres above sea level and affords the visitor an uninterrupted 360° view from the mound of the old fort. The faraway silhouettes of Pierre-sur-Haute, the highest peak in the Forez group (1634 m), Le Velay, Les Cévennes and even Mont Blanc can be seen from the village. In the 13th century the castle passed from the Counts of Forez into the hands of a wealthy family called Baffie and then later to the Saint-Bonnet and eventually the Rochebaron families. In the 15th century the castle was abandoned by its owners because of its lack of comfort. In 1452 Montarcher became a parish. Father Ferrier was the first person in Montarcher to maintain a register of births, marriages and deaths and his book has become one of the oldest documents of its kind in France. In 1536 Francis I took the county of Forez for the Crown; from then on Montarcher and Le Forez were most definitely part of France...

42380 Montarcher
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Marols, village of character
4.7 km

Marols, village of character

Located in the Forez mountains, Marols is a thousand-year-old city built around its hamlets. Facing a majestic panorama, the fortified church now marks the center of a land of encounters, between traditions, modernity and the sweetness of life. Marols is a thousand-year old town built around a number of hamlets. Between its fortified church in the heart of the town and the recently magnificently renovated Domaine de Valinches lie 15 sq km of lovely countryside for local inhabitants and visitors to enjoy. With this remarkable heritage it was one of the first villages in the Department to earn the coveted title of "village of character". Marols takes its name from a combination of Celtic words meaning ‘a large clearing’ (maros ‘large’ and ialo ‘clearing’). The village developed in the Middle Ages thanks to its advantageous position close to an ancient Roman military road, the Bolène Way, which linked Lyons with Toulouse via Feurs and was still being used by medieval merchants and pilgrims on their way to Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Jacquesde-Compostelle. Plentiful woods, fertile farmland, lush pastures and willing workmen made Marols an attractive site for the Benedictine monks of Saint-Romain-le-Puy to build, under the authority of the Abbot of Ainay, their little priory in the 12th century. Marols Priory was a modest affair. The monks spent their time working the land and praying for mankind’s salvation. After a period of prosperity the priory fell into decline around AD 1280. In the following years Marols entered a sombre period marked by the Black Death and the famine, disease and insecurity which resulted from the Hundred Years’ War. The first chapel was of modest size, a single nave in the Romanesque style, and run by a chaplain and perhaps a couple of monks. The principal preoccupations of the little priory were to develop local agricultural resources and a simple religious environment. The village began to take shape in this period. The 12th and 13th centuries were prosperous. The 14th century was however blighted by the Black Death which ravaged the district of Saint-Bonnet-le-Château (in 1348) and various other troubles caused by the kings of England and France locking horns in the Hundred Years’ War. It was during this period that the village and the church were fortified to protect their inhabitants from marauders. In the 15th century the Benedictine monks from Ainay Abbey were replaced by the canons of Saint-Just from Lyons, a noble religious order whose lofty authority sowed discontent among the inhabitants of Marols. In the 16th century, during the Wars of Religion, Protestant troops under the direction of Baron des Adrets razed the village.

1, Place de la mairie 42560 Marols
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Where to eat in La chapelle-en-lafaye

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Enjoy delicious dishes at La chapelle-en-lafaye's restaurants.
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Where to sleep in La chapelle-en-lafaye

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Discover available accommodations around La chapelle-en-lafaye.
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Chez Perlette
7.9 km

Chez Perlette

Véronique welcomes you in a rural setting, inside an old building completely renovated. The first traces of the house date from 1299 in the hare (cadastre) of Estivareilles. The traces of the mill can be found in the Napoleonian cadastral plane of 1826. The mill (always existing) was in operation until 1930, and a sawmill was installed to replace the mill shutdown. Located at an altitude of 900 m, come and refresh yourself in this greenery. You will find the grain mill for animal meal, in the center of the house, adjoining the guest rooms; the sawmill dating from the beginning of the 20th century and which stopped in 1985. The Andrable River passes through the house and runs along the rooms. In one of the rooms you will have the pleasure of hearing the sound of the water if you sleep the open window. Three rooms are at your disposal so that you can have a pleasant stay. The “Charbon” room of 20 m2, spacious and clean, will seduce you with its comfortable king size bedding and its modern and functional bathroom. The “Panah” room of 20 m2 will seduce you with its breathtaking view of the Andrable River and its modern and functional bathroom. The “Babet” room of 18 m2 will seduce you with its modern and functional bathroom and warm colors. Each room gives access to a relaxation area and shared kitchen, with the possibility of eating (hotplates, refrigerator, coffee maker). Sweet and/or savoury breakfast (depending on your desires) is served in the kitchen area from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. If necessary, we can agree on specific timetables.

42380 Merle-Leignec
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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾