The Way of St. James from Lyon to Montbrison

Starting from St. Nizier Cathedral, after crossing the Saône River, you'll reach the Saint Jean district and its cathedral. The warm-up begins here with the climb up the Gourguillon, a favorite among Lyonnais. You'll pass near Fort St. Irénée, heading towards Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, Beaunant, and Chaponost. Although urban, the route follows quiet country roads. You'll encounter several aqueducts, remnants of the water supply system that brought water from the Pilat Massif to Lugdunum (Lyon) during the Gallo-Roman period. The Garon Valley offers a bucolic respite just before Soucieu-en-Jarrest. Beautiful houses and landscapes of meadows, fields, and orchards accompany you to Thurins, your next stop (or to Soucieu-en-Jarrest, 5 km shorter, 1 hour 15 minutes further), at the foot of the Monts du Lyonnais.

Length: 22 km

You'll find this section of the route through the Monts du Lyonnais very pleasant, with its gentle ascents and descents. From now on, paths and trails predominate. Your stage begins with a slow climb, passing near the villages of Rontalon and the aptly named St Martin en Haut. Your highest point, at 814 meters, marks the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The waters now flow towards the Loire. You manage to St Symphorien sur Coise, formerly a medieval fortified town. This will be your stop for the day, dominated by its imposing Gothic-style fortified church.

Length: 20 km

The stage is short, so we recommend spending a good part of the morning exploring the village of Saint Symphorien sur Coise. You'll leave the Monts du Lyonnais and enter the Loire region. The presence of numerous watermills on the Coise River testifies to the economy and development of the villages since Gallo-Roman times. You'll pass near Chazelles-sur-Lyon, the home of the hat. Here, Saint James is said to have invented the felt-making technique that brought wealth to the town. Today's stage offers beautiful views of the nearby Forez plain. You'll arrive in Saint-Galmier. Here again, water has shaped the landscapes and the economy since Roman times, and then in the Middle Ages. The Badoit spring is now the best-selling bottled water in France. Enjoy it to your heart's content!
Length: 15 km

The path leads you into the Forez plain where you cross the Loire River at Rivas, a leisurely stroll (via the bridge!). No doubt you'll spare a thought for the medieval pilgrims who had to cross it in perilous conditions, taking long detours, relying on ferrymen, or even drowning. You arrive at St. Romain le Puy, where you'll be under the protection of St. James, like all the pilgrims who have admired the small 10th-century chapel perched atop its volcanic outcrop. As the rest of the day is flat, we encourage you to climb the 90 meters to reach the summit of the Puy, which offers a beautiful view over the entire plain, the stages you've passed, and perhaps even the stages to come. The trip ends in the afternoon.

The stage ends in St Romain le Puy; if you have booked an extra night, you will be accommodated in Montbrison, which you can reach by train (duration 7 min – cost €2.40 to be paid on site).

Elevation gain: +80 m, -120 m Length: 21 km Time: 5 hours