Villemontais: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Villemontais lies entirely on the slopes of the Monts de la Madeleine. The village offers sweeping views over the Roanne plain and the first slopes of the Monts de la Madeleine. Villemontais is also located along the Roanne–Thiers hiking route.

Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Villemontais can add this place to their list of potential destinations.

Nature and trails

Villemontais is the starting point for numerous hiking trails. These include Sur Les Traces de L'Empereur, a challenging 11.5-kilometre circular hike with a stated duration of four hours and 470 metres of ascent. Signposted parking is available for this tour at the mairie or north of the village. La Goutte rouge is a moderately difficult 8.5-kilometre circular hike with 370 metres of ascent and a duration of two hours and 30 minutes.

Les Bouilleurs de Cru is a challenging 10-kilometre circular hike with 410 metres of ascent and a duration of three hours. The route offers views over the Roanne plain from Villemontais and the Croix des Lièvres and passes through vineyards via the village of Vieux Cherrier to the municipality of Chérier. The route, also known as the Chemin Napoléon, is an old path connecting Villemontais with the centre of Moulins de Cherier.

Culture and history

The Église Saint-Martin is considered a Martinian site and is a stage on the Chemin de Saint Martin. It stands on the site of a former Saint-Martin chapel, which was already documented in 984. The church was altered and extended several times between 1827 and 1882; it is open only on request.

The Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built on Mont Aïgu in the 15th century, destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt in 1857. The chapel offers a 180-degree panorama over the Roanne plain as far as the Monts du Lyonnais. The Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste is accessible on foot, by bicycle and with a pushchair; there is a picnic area nearby.

The Chapelle Saint-Roch stands near the cemetery and was probably built after the plague epidemic of 1630. The municipality of Villemontais contains numerous wayside crosses, most of which date from the late 18th to the early 20th century.

Local life

The Marché Villemontois takes place on Wednesdays at Place St Vincent in Villemontais. Products on offer include sheep's and goat's cheese, bread, fruit and vegetables, meat and cured meats, honey and honey products, snails, organic flour and takeaway meals.

The Balade Gourmande en Côte Roannaise has taken place repeatedly since 2013; Villemontais is one of the places that has already hosted this event.

Other destinations: Briennon, Burdignes, Dancé, Maringes, Saint-Martin-la-Sauveté, Neulise, Roisey, Veauche

To the higher-level travel overview: Loire.