Lyon route: Montbrison-Le Puy

You leave directly from Montbrison following the path that comes from Cluny.

At St Georges-Haute-Ville, you rejoin the Lyon road. You will then gradually begin the ascent into the Monts du Forez.

The countryside is lush and the villages are breathtakingly beautiful. Like the pilgrims who came from Cluny to the Romanesque chapel of Monsupt (13th century), take the time to contemplate the Forez plain. Your path leads you across the bridge spanning the Mare (don't worry, small protective crosses are engraved on its parapets) and you arrive at Saint Jean Soleymieux and its 11th-century crypt. You then continue to your next stop in Marols, burned down by the turbulent Baron des Adrets in 1562. This charming little village has since regained its tranquility, and many artists and craftspeople exhibit their work here.

This stage can be shortened by taking the train to St Romain le Puy (7 minutes – €2.50 payable locally). This reduces the distance by 4 km and 1 hour 15 minutes.

You follow a beautiful path through the forest and reach the highest point of your route at 1165 meters. At Montarcher , a former stronghold belonging to the Counts of Forez, you can admire the panoramic view. Just beyond, the route leaves the ancient Via Bolena , which, since the time of the Celts and Romans, has connected Lyon to Aquitaine. You now take the GR765 East (shared with the GR3), following the peaceful course of the Andrable River, and arrive at Leignecq , a hilltop village that was once fortified.

From Montarcher, it is possible to follow the GR765 West (see the "Variant" below).

It is important to leave early for this long and hilly stage. Your accommodation provider can take you to Valprivas to shorten the journey (-10 km, -2 hours 30 minutes, transfer at your own expense to be paid locally). You reach Valprivas and its castle. You then leave the gentle hills of the Monts du Forez to descend and cross the Andrable River . This stream marks the boundary of the Forez region, and today you enter the Haute-Loire department. The landscapes change, the terrain becomes steeper: a good climb up the other bank leads to Châles before plunging back into the Ance Valley . The final ascent takes you to Sarlanges before arriving in Retournac, in the heart of the Loire Gorges . A visit to the Lace Museum is a must. Accommodation is available in Jussac (4 km, 1 hour).

Your path meanders like the Loire River, which has carved its course through this volcanic terrain. In the heart of this natural landscape, your journey will lead you to picturesque villages like Chamalières (with its magnificent 12th-century church) and the remains of fortresses overlooking the Loire. The most remarkable are those of Artias (12th century) and Roche-en-Régnier . You can stop in Vorey-sur-Arzon, on the banks of the Loire, or in Saint-Vincent (+6 km, +1 hour 30 minutes). If you are staying in Saint-Vincent, you can shorten your day by taking the train from Retournac to Chamalières or from Vorey-sur-Arzon to Saint-Vincent.

You finish with another long stage. You can shorten it by taking the train from Vorey-sur-Arzon to Lavoûte-sur-Loire (-11 km, -2 hours 30 minutes). In Lavoûte-sur-Loire , the path rejoins the river, which forms a magnificent loop. Within this loop, the Château de Lavoûte-Polignac stands on its rocky promontory. The route then crosses the Emblavez basin, covered with fields, meadows, and hamlets, and reaches the spectacular Château de Polignac (that family again), perched on its rocky outcrop. The last section of the path leads to Le Puy-en-Velay , the "City of the Virgin," and the starting point of the Via Podiensis. A visit is a must, with its historic quarter and cathedral at its heart, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trip ends in the late afternoon.