Malvières: Discover Culture and Hiking Trails

Malvières offers visitors a range of ways to plan their day: Gothic architecture, an arboretum and two hiking trails with different route profiles. The places and activities have different highlights—from architectural details and history to walks and longer routes.

Gothic Architecture and Historic Sites

The Église Saint-Pierre dates from the 14th century and is Gothic in style. Its layout can be identified by several specific features: the two-bay nave is divided into two bays, or sections of the nave; the apse is pentagonal. The choir features trefoil tracery, a reminder of the mother abbey. The church was the chapel of a priory belonging to La Chaise-Dieu Abbey. Alongside its architectural form, the priory’s historic connection to the abbey is also of interest.

Another Gothic structure is the Croix du Bancillon, a granite cross dating from 1541. It was classified as a historic monument in 1910. Opposite sides depict Christ and the Virgin; the base contains a niche with a grille. The shape of the cross, the two figures and the niche offer several details to look for as you explore it.

The Château de Folgoux can only be viewed from the outside. Check the latest access information before your visit, as access conditions may change. The privately owned Château de Folgoux dates from the 14th century and is listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments. At the southeast corner of the château, a low round tower houses the chapel. The château, tower and chapel add another architectural highlight to the churches and the cross.

Hiking Trails with Different Profiles

The PR101 La croix du Bancillon is a moderately difficult hiking route covering 10.4 kilometers. The walking time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Part of the route follows the water; it also crosses a wooden bridge. The PR103 Folgoux et l’arboretum is listed as 11.1 kilometers long, with 295 meters of ascent and 295 meters of descent, and a walking time of about 2 hours 45 minutes. This route is also rated moderate. Compared directly, the PR103 is 700 meters longer; its stated walking time is around 15 minutes longer than that of the PR101. The routes therefore differ both in duration and in their described features, which can help with planning. Route information may be updated; check the details before setting out.

The PR103 offers a view over the Dore Valley between the Monts du Forez and the Monts du Livradois before the route reaches the Château de Folgoux. The view is a scenic highlight of the route; the PR101 has different features, with sections that follow the water and a wooden bridge. If you are choosing between the two routes, you can compare their approximate walking times and lengths with these respective highlights.

Tree Species at the Charvols Arboretum

The Charvols Arboretum was established in spring 1993 across three hectares amid coniferous forests. It contains 96 tree species in four areas. Small signs along the circular trail provide anecdotal and scientific explanations. The arboretum thus combines a walk with insights into different tree species and their described characteristics. It offers a different focus from the two longer hikes: here, the emphasis is on the diversity of trees and the information along the trail. Visitors who want to divide their time in Malvières according to their interests will find historic buildings, two routes of different lengths and a walk focused on botany.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Pal-De-Chalencon, Venteuges, Blavozy, Saint-Hostien, Céaux-d'Allègre, Lantriac, Allègre, Tailhac.

For the overview of the wider region: Haute-Loire.