Saint-Genest-Lerpt is a town in the Loire, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 7 km north-west of Saint-Étienne, which it borders on.
Its territory of 12 km² extends from 437 to nearly 700 meters above sea level, mainly occupying a plateau overlooking two valleys. It is bordered to the east by hills where the Côte Chaude district has developed, away from the center of the village.
At the edge of the Loire gorges and the Pilat Regional Natural Park, Saint-Genest-Lerpt has become a residential city with a green environment and now has some 6,200 inhabitants. More than 50% of the land is still agricultural or forested.
The locality appeared in the 11th century and was for a time dependent on the counts of Lyon before returning to those of Forez. It was from the 18th century that it experienced a real boom with the exploitation of coal quarries and the development of mining activity in the Forez coal basin. The trimmings industry is also active (manufacture of ribbons).
In the second half of the 20th century, this economy disappeared but left a unique heritage as a legacy, notably with a number of castles fitted out by former industrialists and merchants. In parallel with the growth of the Saint-Etienne agglomeration, Saint-Genest-Lerpt now has a living environment and a varied leisure offer.
The discovery of the heritage of the town can begin with the parish church dedicated to Notre-Dame de Pitié. It was consecrated in 1901, replacing an earlier 15th century building that had become cramped. The Romano-Byzantine style of the new church is due to its architect who had previously been at work in Tunisia. Since 1972, it has housed a remarkable organ designed by Alain Sals which can host numerous concerts, as well as a quality copy of a 17th century Virgin and Child and an 18th century sculpted angel from the old church. In addition, a Pietà that fell from the pediment in 1910 during a storm was restored and installed under the porch.
To the north of the building, to see next, an 18th century chapel, already dedicated to Our Lady of Pity, erected by the inhabitants after an epidemic had spared the parish. Since 1974 it has been adorned with frescoes by the contemporary artist Nicolaï Greschny, which were restored in 2009.
A monument to the dead made up of a Corinthian-inspired red marble column supporting a hairy head is also worth a visit. eye, on the district of La Verchère.
We must then mention the many castles that dot the territory: they were restored or built in the 19th century by manufacturers and merchants from Saint-Etienne who thus wished to enjoy noble residences in a bucolic environment but close to the city.
This is the case with the Château de la Mure, to the north of the village, whose origins date back to the 16th century but which was renovated in the 19th century and then had several owners. The estate changed after the Second World War, becoming a housing estate and a large public park.
Also having ancient foundations (15th century), the domain of Cizeron became a sumptuous bourgeois residence during the industrialization of the town. Since 1960, the site has been the residence of the prefect of the Loire.
Dominating the village, the Château du Minois or Château Colcombet, was built in 1804 and has a quality wooded park. The property was donated to the town and now houses a hotel school.
Finally, the castle of Landuzière, to the west, and that of the Bois des Sœurs still present vestiges of interest, even integrated into the town's urbanization.
With regard to cultural leisure activities, the municipality's media library regularly offers activities in the form of readings, meetings, workshops. Information on +33 4 82 24 00 28. As for the André-Pinatel room, it hosts a number of shows throughout the year but also programs screenings of films for young audiences during school holidays. For more information, call +33 4 77 90 22 13.
On the sports side, there are synthetic-coated football pitches, areas dedicated to basketball, a bowling alley available at Saint-Genest-Lerpt. they can book a court with the local club on +33 6 07 35 10 55.
Horse rides in the green environment of the locality are possible with the Equestrian Center of Portail Rouge: contact on +33 4 77 90 28 79. And for a bike or mountain bike trip, contact the cyclotourist association on +33 7 51 61 37 20.
Saint-Genest-Lerpt is a green lung very popular with hikers. In addition to the outings offered by the walking club (info on +33 6 32 79 25 83), the Chasseur departmental park (20 hectares planted with many species such as black pines, maples, red oaks) and the Minois municipal park are available..
The surroundings of the Colcombet pond are also suitable for walking in the immediate vicinity of the city center.
In addition, four marked hiking trails of 2 to 7 km have been developed on the territory (accessible to a family audience), dotted with viewpoints on the city or the mountains of Forez and Lyonnais.
Note also that a pedestrian route crosses the town connecting the center of Saint-Étienne to the Loire gorges. Maps and information on +33 4 77 49 39 00.
