Saint-Rirand: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

In Saint-Rirand, the GR®342 begins under the title “Combraille – Côte Roannaise”. It is designated as a two-day hike, “In the Footsteps of Saint Martin of Tours”.

Those who choose Saint-Rirand as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment here.

Hiking

The Le Plateau de la Verrerie hiking trail is 11.5 km long and reaches a maximum altitude of 595 metres. It is laid out as a signposted circular route starting from Saint-Rirand.

On the Plateau de la Verrerie, there is a wooden walkway intended to allow all visitors to discover the peat bog and unusual landscapes.

Nature

The protected area “Tourbière et landes de la Verrerie” is a type 1 continental ZNIEFF and includes Saint-Rirand.

Les Tourbières du Plateau de la Verrerie is part of the Natura 2000 network and is designated as an “Espace Naturel Sensible” (ENS), a sensitive natural area in the Loire département.

The peat bog of Les Tourbières du Plateau de la Verrerie is home to the rare common wall lizard and round-leaved sundew, a small carnivorous plant. Forests cover three quarters of the municipality of Saint-Rirand.

Culture and History

In the 17th century, glassmakers from Lorraine installed glass furnaces on the Plateau de la Verrerie. They produced small glass items such as vials, cups, drinking glasses, bowls, small decanters and pendants.

The church of Saint-Rirand was built between 1887 and 1888. Its statue of Saint Clair was associated with a pilgrimage in 1930, during which the saint was invoked against eye ailments.

The ruins of Château du Crozet are located in the vicinity of Saint-Rirand. In the wider surrounding region, there are also the historic site of Abbaye de la Bénissons-Dieu and the castles Château de Souternon and Château Saint Hugues.

Geographical Setting

The nearby mountains of Signal du Revers de Mainmorte, Signal du Bois Joli, Pierre Bécajat and Haut de chez Bodon are located around Saint-Rirand.

Other places: Saint-Laurent-Rochefort, Montverdun, Coutouvre, Marcenod, Montbrison, Fontanès, Mably, Saint-Sauveur-En-Rue

To the main travel overview: Loire.