Saint-Haon-le-Châtel

Once the ramparts of the twelfth century, the visitor discovers a historical heritage remains authentic and varied.

This is the case of the Hotel Pelletier, a beautiful Renaissance building based on one of the towers of the ramparts. The courtyard has been restored with its original well, and there is a beautiful turret shaped polygon adorned with sculptures.

The imposing church, for its part, was built between 1166 and 1225 in a Romanesque style. The material, gray granite of the region, contrasts with the many interior murals dating from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century.

In the old citadel, a walk through the alleyways and passageways, half-timbered houses and corbels from the late Middle Ages to homes more noble, dating from the Renaissance, with openings and gilded stone staircases, not to mention 18th century bourgeois homes or shops of the nineteenth century.

From the highest point of the village, on the site of the old donjon, we take advantage when the sky lends itself to panoramic views encompassing the mountains of Lyonnais and Beaujolais, but also the Bourbonnais, the Morvan and to the east the mountains of the Madeleine...

Going back down, "outside the walls" of the citadel, in the Saint-Roch district and the suburb of Palerne, we admire such an ancient heritage: half-timbered houses are numerous, and we observe with pleasure the original turrets of the manor of the Fleur de Lys.

To see finally, on this small but rich commune, the medieval garden reconstituted in the years 1990 (free access, didactic panels) or the former residence of Jean-Jules Jusserand, ambassador of France in the United States from 1903 to 1925.

Guided tours of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel are available all year long, including the night for amazing sensations, upon reservation. Price: from 4 euros. Information on +33 4 77 64 21 90.

There is another way to visit this city which has everything from an open-air museum, in a playful form and particularly suitable for families: a treasure hunt. Kits are available which also include the discovery of other villages of character around: Ambierle, Lay and Belleroche. Price: 12 euros. Information on +33 4 77 64 28 25.

For hiking enthusiasts, the pleasure of walking and heritage are one in Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, stage of the Chemin de Saint Martin, which connects on 2,500 km Szombathely, Hungary, Tours. Labeled Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, the path, locally, is located between Roanne and Vichy.

The perched village is also one of the crossing points of the pilgrimage route of Saint Jacques de Compostela from Cluny and joining Le Puy-en-Velay. The path is lined with shells on the town.

In addition, a pedestrian path of 10.5 km joins the forest of Pardières. If you can walk, mountain bike, or even horse, it presents some difficulties related to relief.

For all these hikes including the village and its surroundings, documentation and information on +33 4 77 64 28 25 or +33 4 77 71 51 77.

For the sportsmen, finally, to reserve a tennis court is possible by contacting +33 4 77 64 40 82.

• In May, Painters' Day in the Street.
• Pentecost Sunday, flea market.
• The second weekend of August, medieval festival, with evening tales, local market, parade fraternities, musical entertainment.
• Beginning of November, autumn market.
• End of November, feast and march of the chestnut.
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays morning, finally, a small market Place de Verdun allows to appreciate the terroir of the region (early, cheese)...