Saint-Germain-Lespinasse is located in the Roannais plain at the foot of the Monts de la Madeleine. The townscape is dominated by the present-day church, which was built between 1861 and 1864.
Culture and History
The church of Saint-Germain-Lespinasse is designed in the Romanesque-Poitevin style and features wall decorations by Étienne Zaccheo. The cemetery chapel is part of the older history of the town: it is the only surviving part of the former church of Saint-Germain-Lespinasse, which was destroyed around 1864. Part of the chapel dates from the 15th century and belonged to what was known as the Chapel of the Athiauds.
Location and Transport
The historic road from Paris to Lyon passed through Saint-Germain-Lespinasse and became National Route 7. Line 12 of the Roannais Agglomération network serves the town with four stops.
Nature and Hiking Trails
The Lespinasse Forest covers 540 hectares and consists mainly of oak and hornbeam trees. It is part of the Natura 2000 network. Three hiking trails are among the main tourist attractions in Saint-Germain-Lespinasse.
The La Forêt de Lespinasse trail crosses the Teyssonne on a footbridge. The marked La Forêt de Lespinasse circular hiking trail in Saint-Germain-Lespinasse is 19 kilometres long.
Market
A market with ten vendors takes place in Saint-Germain-Lespinasse on Thursday mornings.
Those who choose Saint-Germain-Lespinasse as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment there.
