explore saint-jean-soleymieux and its surroundings

Charmful and characteful 17 century house fully restored, in the Forez mounts, perched 900 metres high. Many marked trails will please hikers and nature lovers. Located at the heart of a tipically "alti-forézien" hamlet with a beautiful view on the Forez plain, La Bastide B&B assure you quietness, rest and peacefulness. The house was restored with taste and respect of traditions: apparent stones, warmful tones... Bought in 2005, this house was restored until 2010, year of the opening of the B&B.

Come and taste the sweet delicacies of La Pause Marolaise. Lean back comfortably in the pub and enjoy the Maro’tz, the Maro’cao or even the Maro’laises! Mom is downstairs, who makes... cakes, cookies or any other greed to enjoy or offer as a souvenir during a walk in Marols.«e biscuit factory, it is the speciality of Aude who makes in her laboratory the Maro’laises, the Maro’ricans, the Maro’tz...«e whole range is to be discovered on the Àoor in the bistro beside the grocery store of country

Come and taste the sweet delicacies of La Pause Marolaise. Lean back comfortably in the pub and enjoy the Maro’tz, the Maro’cao or even the Maro’laises! Mom is downstairs, who makes... cakes, cookies or any other greed to enjoy or offer as a souvenir during a walk in Marols.«e biscuit factory, it is the speciality of Aude who makes in her laboratory the Maro’laises, the Maro’ricans, the Maro’tz...«e whole range is to be discovered on the Àoor in the bistro beside the grocery store of country

Fully renovated late 19th century stone-built farmhouse. This gîte is situated near the village of Gumières, offering a real belvedere over the Mounts and plain of Forez, at the entrance to Auvergne. Gîte is near village of Gumières with great views over the Forez mountains et plain, bordering the Auvergne. St-Anthème et Prabouret ski resort 10 min. Livradois Forez national park, ideal area for nature-lovers. St Etienne 40km.

Grounds of 500 sq. m. with lawn et children's games. Stop-over rate: 12E/pers. Open views of Monts du Forez, paddock for horses, inn in village. Tennis court :5 E/hour. Lots of walks in this mid-level mountain area et forests. Saint-Bonnet-le-Château et St Jean Soleymieux 10km. Stop-over/group gîte in small village (alt.1,000+m), on edge of the Auvergne. 120 sq. m. (grd. et 1st floors). Living room/kitchen area, 2 dormitories (sleeping 6 et 8). 3 showers, 3 washbasins, 3 WCs. Central heating. Separate annex (living room/kitchen area, 6 bed dormitory, shower, WC, washbasin).

Restaurant managed by the same family for several generations. It offers a regional cuisine with a Forez accent. The menus are renewed frequently and the cuisine is entirely homemade using local and seasonal products. Pascal Bourgin uses local products : regional cheeses, meat (veal and lamb), locally made ice creams and sherbets.

Located in the Forez massif above Chazelles-sur-Lavieu, in a lovely woodland setting overlooking the Forez plain, the Acr’Oforez park features a number of attractions that you can combine with the activities of Game’Oforez.

Located in the Forez mountains, Marols is a thousand-year-old city built around its hamlets. Facing a majestic panorama, the fortified church now marks the center of a land of encounters, between traditions, modernity and the sweetness of life. Marols is a thousand-year old town built around a number of hamlets. Between its fortified church in the heart of the town and the recently magnificently renovated Domaine de Valinches lie 15 sq km of lovely countryside for local inhabitants and visitors to enjoy. With this remarkable heritage it was one of the first villages in the Department to earn the coveted title of "village of character". Marols takes its name from a combination of Celtic words meaning ‘a large clearing’ (maros ‘large’ and ialo ‘clearing’). The village developed in the Middle Ages thanks to its advantageous position close to an ancient Roman military road, the Bolène Way, which linked Lyons with Toulouse via Feurs and was still being used by medieval merchants and pilgrims on their way to Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Jacquesde-Compostelle. Plentiful woods, fertile farmland, lush pastures and willing workmen made Marols an attractive site for the Benedictine monks of Saint-Romain-le-Puy to build, under the authority of the Abbot of Ainay, their little priory in the 12th century. Marols Priory was a modest affair. The monks spent their time working the land and praying for mankind’s salvation. After a period of prosperity the priory fell into decline around AD 1280. In the following years Marols entered a sombre period marked by the Black Death and the famine, disease and insecurity which resulted from the Hundred Years’ War. The first chapel was of modest size, a single nave in the Romanesque style, and run by a chaplain and perhaps a couple of monks. The principal preoccupations of the little priory were to develop local agricultural resources and a simple religious environment. The village began to take shape in this period. The 12th and 13th centuries were prosperous. The 14th century was however blighted by the Black Death which ravaged the district of Saint-Bonnet-le-Château (in 1348) and various other troubles caused by the kings of England and France locking horns in the Hundred Years’ War. It was during this period that the village and the church were fortified to protect their inhabitants from marauders. In the 15th century the Benedictine monks from Ainay Abbey were replaced by the canons of Saint-Just from Lyons, a noble religious order whose lofty authority sowed discontent among the inhabitants of Marols. In the 16th century, during the Wars of Religion, Protestant troops under the direction of Baron des Adrets razed the village.

In an ancient restored convent Marie Pouget shares with you her experiences lived all over the world with ethnologist Daniel Pouget. 2021 Come and escape "In the footsteps of Marco Polo".

Montarcher lies between the Velay and Forez Mounts, and the Livradois Mountains. This village, perched at 1160 metres above sea level, offers an uninterrupted 360° view from the mound of the old fort. Perched at a height of 1,160 meters, Montarcher proudly displays its heritage charged with a tumultuous history. Already populated before the invasion of the Celts, it was in turn refuge, stronghold and place of worship. Visitors can discover an outstanding panorama and a source of fresh air. The village dominates Andrable Valley from a lofty granite peak 1,150 metres above sea level and affords the visitor an uninterrupted 360° view from the mound of the old fort. The faraway silhouettes of Pierre-sur-Haute, the highest peak in the Forez group (1634 m), Le Velay, Les Cévennes and even Mont Blanc can be seen from the village. In the 13th century the castle passed from the Counts of Forez into the hands of a wealthy family called Baffie and then later to the Saint-Bonnet and eventually the Rochebaron families. In the 15th century the castle was abandoned by its owners because of its lack of comfort. In 1452 Montarcher became a parish. Father Ferrier was the first person in Montarcher to maintain a register of births, marriages and deaths and his book has become one of the oldest documents of its kind in France. In 1536 Francis I took the county of Forez for the Crown; from then on Montarcher and Le Forez were most definitely part of France...

The church was originally a simple caste chapel with a Bizantin-styl chancel and a semi-domed apse. The nave was build in the 12th century and is flanked by two chapels. Some 17th century painting were uncoverded during restoration work in the chancel in 1935. The right-hand chapel contains a keystone decorated with the arms of Rochebaron (Lords of Montarcher from 13th to the 17th century), hatchments on a back stripe, and a mural dating from the 15th century. Montarcher priests used to be burried in the left-hand chapel and such headstone shows Father Claude Ferrier wearing a dalmatic tunic. The road-screen separating the chancel from the nave was installed in the 15th or 16th century and symbolizes the creation of the world. The porch and the bell-tower date from the 16th or 17th century. The church was originally a simple caste chapel with a Bizantin-styl chancel and a semi-domed apse. The nave was build in the 12th century and is flanked by two chapels which were added in the 15th century. Some 17th century painting were uncoverded during restoration work in the chancel in 1935, showing flower and vase motifs in the ochre tones. The right-hand chapel contains a keystone decorated with the arms of Rochebaron (Lords of Montarcher from 13th to the 17th century), hatchments on a back stripe, and a mural dating from the 15th century depicting a procession of angels. Montarcher priests used to be burried in the left-hand chapel and such headstone shows Father Claude Ferrier wearing a dalmatic tunic. The road-screen separating the chancel from the nave was installed in the 15th or 16th century and symbolizes the creation of the world. The porch and the bell-tower date from the 16th or 17th century.

Traditional restaurant, lunch menu of the week, pizzas and forézien burger to go, à la carte dishes, weekend menu on Saturdays noon and evening and Sunday noon.

"In a unique setting 850 metres above sea level, the Auberge de Marols is open all year round. Benoît is happy to serve you his delicious dishes made with seasonal ingredients produced on local soils, along with a wide selection of wines."

"La Pause Marolaise" is the bistro in the village of Marols. Here we enter to have a drink, a coffee, a local beer...

Come and taste the sweet delicacies of La Pause Marolaise. Lean back comfortably in the pub and enjoy the Maro’tz, the Maro’cao or even the Maro’laises! Mom is downstairs, who makes... cakes, cookies or any other greed to enjoy or offer as a souvenir during a walk in Marols.«e biscuit factory, it is the speciality of Aude who makes in her laboratory the Maro’laises, the Maro’ricans, the Maro’tz...«e whole range is to be discovered on the Àoor in the bistro beside the grocery store of country

Italian specialities including pizza, pasta and tiramisu. Italian specialities, pizza, pasta ... tiramisu.

Traditional family restaurant in a refined setting in Haut-Forez, 3km from the village of character of Marols with its artists. The chef likes improvisation and offers to create your own menus to satisfy you: Group meals, walkers, theme meals,...

In the village of Gumières, we welcome you to a rustic and very pleasant setting to enjoy our traditional cuisine with its regional specialities. Menu of the day 10.50 €

Restaurant suggesting a traditional cooking. Located at the entrance of La Chapelle en Lafaye in an old restored farm. Terrace, take-away meals (on request).

In this village of character, come discover a cuisine rich in flavours. Fresh cuisine with flowers and plants. The menu changes every month.

Charmful and characteful 17 century house fully restored, in the Forez mounts, perched 900 metres high. Many marked trails will please hikers and nature lovers. Located at the heart of a tipically "alti-forézien" hamlet with a beautiful view on the Forez plain, La Bastide B&B assure you quietness, rest and peacefulness. The house was restored with taste and respect of traditions: apparent stones, warmful tones... Bought in 2005, this house was restored until 2010, year of the opening of the B&B.

Perched in a unique setting 850 metres above sea level, the Auberge de Marols is open all year round. The Auberge has 4 guestrooms available 7 days a week.

Fully renovated late 19th century stone-built farmhouse. This gîte is situated near the village of Gumières, offering a real belvedere over the Mounts and plain of Forez, at the entrance to Auvergne. Gîte is near village of Gumières with great views over the Forez mountains et plain, bordering the Auvergne. St-Anthème et Prabouret ski resort 10 min. Livradois Forez national park, ideal area for nature-lovers. St Etienne 40km.

You’ll stay in a calm environment in grounds with trees and flowering plants, with a free, secured parking space.

Stay in the heart of the southern Haut Forez region and use the gîte as your base for a multitude of hikes.

Grounds of 500 sq. m. with lawn et children's games. Stop-over rate: 12E/pers. Open views of Monts du Forez, paddock for horses, inn in village. Tennis court :5 E/hour. Lots of walks in this mid-level mountain area et forests. Saint-Bonnet-le-Château et St Jean Soleymieux 10km. Stop-over/group gîte in small village (alt.1,000+m), on edge of the Auvergne. 120 sq. m. (grd. et 1st floors). Living room/kitchen area, 2 dormitories (sleeping 6 et 8). 3 showers, 3 washbasins, 3 WCs. Central heating. Separate annex (living room/kitchen area, 6 bed dormitory, shower, WC, washbasin).

Quiet rooms with balcony, overlooking the garden, swimming pool and the St. Romain peak.