La Grand-Croix between Gier, Pilat and historic trails

On the banks of the Gier lies the 7-hectare Parc de la Platière. The park features a 1.6-kilometre sports trail, picnic areas and an open-air theatre with 200 seats. The extensive park thus combines exercise, time spent in green surroundings and a venue for events, without the individual areas serving the same purpose.

Nature

La Grand-Croix lies on the edge of the Massif du Pilat. The Gier is La Grand-Croix’s main watercourse, while the Dorlay forms the boundary between La Grand-Croix and the municipality of Lorette. Because of its location and elevation, La Grand-Croix offers views over the town.

The Les Arcs – La Grand-Croix No. 1 hiking trail follows the Gier and leads in the Chavillon district to a viewpoint overlooking the Pilat. The La Faverge – La Grand-Croix No. 2 hiking trail leads to the Croix de Corbeyre viewpoint, with views across the valley and the Massif du Pilat.

The La Grand-Croix arboretum focuses on the domestication of wild-growing shrub species into cultivated fruit trees. It can be visited by appointment. La Grand-Croix is also located on the A47 motorway; the motorway entrances and exits are in the town centre.

Hiking

2 is an easy 7.1-kilometre circular hike lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes, beginning and ending at Parc de la Platière. The Chavillon – La Grand-Croix No. 3 hiking trail is a municipal trail that also begins and ends at Parc de la Platière. It crosses the confluence of the Gier and Dorlay and leads to the former Pont de Chavillon, of which two pillars remain.

The different trail lengths and the stated duration can be compared separately for planning purposes. This places short sporting routes and longer circular hikes alongside trails with viewpoints or historical sites.

Culture

Pont de Chavillon was built in 1856 as a mountain railway bridge to transport coal from the Planèze and Combérigol concessions to the Gier Valley. The wooden structure of Pont de Chavillon collapsed, definitively destroying the most interesting part of the bridge.

In Parc de la Platière, a surviving drop hammer commemorates the former Ets Deville drop forge. For groups of at least 12 people, CERPI offers guided and commentary-accompanied visits along the Canal de Givors between Givors and La Grand-Croix.

More town pages: Saint-Galmier, Grézieux-Le-Fromental, Cherier, Saint-Bonnet-Le-Courreau, Cleppé, Rozier-Côtes-D'aurec, Coutouvre, Champdieu

When comparing a holiday apartment in La Grand-Croix, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the accommodation pages. For choosing a location, the focuses on trails, riverside landscapes and culture can be considered separately and then weighed together.

Local life

The Marché de La Grand-Croix is a food and producers’ market at Place Charles de Gaulle.

To the main travel overview: Loire.