Villars: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The “Détours à Villars” circular route is 4.5 km long and marked with yellow PR trail signs from the Fédération française de randonnée pédestre de la Loire.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Villars should focus their accommodation search on this location.

Culture

The Musée Jean-Marie Somet presents collections on the history of the town of Villars, mining and passementerie. It also illustrates the hard and often dangerous work carried out underground in the mine. The museum is free to visit on Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; visits are also possible by appointment.

The Église Saint-Laurent was built between 1860 and 1862 to replace the older church of Villars, which dated from the 14th century. Its stained-glass windows are signed with the name of the glass painter Alexandre Mauvernay, who was based in Saint-Galmier.

Route 14, “À l’ouest: du charbon et du fer”, leads towards Villars town centre via Rue de la République to Place Gambetta in front of the church.

Nature

Parc Jean-Marc is an 11-hectare urban park on former mining and marshland crossed by the Riotord. Parc Jean Marc has extensive lawns and ponds with a diverse range of wildlife and is suitable for relaxation.

Parc Jean Marc has children’s play areas. The park also offers a cycle path, pony rides and a small railway.

Parc de la Sapinière is a 5.3-hectare urban park extending from Bois de la Sapinière to the centre of Villars. Its children’s play area comprises three sections adapted to different age groups. A path leads across the retention basin area and onwards into Bois de la Sapinière. Bois de la Sapinière was reopened to the public after extensive felling and reforestation work.

Square du puits Beaunier has been landscaped on the site of the former shaft of the Beaunier mine. The viewpoint at Square du puits Beaunier offers walkers a view of Villars town centre and the surrounding hills.

Cycling and Trails

Vélivert self-service bicycle rental stations are located at Place Gambetta in Villars and in Parc Jean Marc.

Other places: Changy, Saint-Michel-Sur-Rhône, Saint-Nizier-De-Fornas, Saint-Romain-La-Motte, Marcenod, Bellegarde-en-Forez, Nervieux, La Talaudière

To the overarching travel overview: Loire.