Monistrol-Sur-Loire: Old Town, Heritage and Loire Trails

Monistrol-Sur-Loire combines a historic center with trails to the Gorges de Bilhard and the Loire. This gives you a choice of different ways to spend your stay: a tour of old Monistrol, religious architecture, or walks through a landscape of gorges and river views.

History in old Monistrol

The one-hour walking tour “Monistrol au fil du temps – le tour de ville à pied” takes you through the historic center of old Monistrol and begins at the Château des Evêques. Information panels accompany the route, which roughly follows the course of the former town fortifications. The Château was the former residence of the bishops of Le Puy, who were lords of Monistrol until the Revolution. Its architecture combines elements from the 14th to the 18th century. The Château des Evêques is open only during cultural events; contact the tourist office for information. Check the event schedule before visiting.

The Collégiale Saint-Marcellin preserves Romanesque architectural features: parts of the façade, the colonnade of the nave, and a domed choir. It also preserves the relics of Saint Marcellin and features stained-glass windows by Barrelon. Romanesque architecture, religious tradition, and stained glass are thus distinct aspects of the building.

Chapels and art

The Chapelle des Ursulines is the chapel of the former Ursuline convent. It contains a leaf-gilded altarpiece, 3 m high and 2.35 m wide, depicting the death of Saint Joseph. Monumental 17th-century walnut sculptures, attributed to Pierre Vaneau, are also part of its furnishings. The chapel is accessible only as part of a guided group tour booked in advance; such tours are planned for 2026. Plan your visit as a group tour and reserve in advance.

Walks in the Gorges de Bilhard

The Sentier des Gorges de Bilhard offers a walk of about 1 hour and 15 minutes through unspoiled nature in the heart of Monistrol. The trail begins in the town center, opposite the Château des Evêques, and initially follows the yellow PR105 markers toward Pinet. Along the route are waterfalls, giant potholes, and diverse vegetation where two streams meet. The walk therefore connects a starting point in the town center with the landforms of the gorges. Trail conditions may vary depending on the season.

Trails to the Loire

An easy hike, the PR105 – Du château des Evêques à la Loire descends gently to the Loire after passing through the wild gorges of Bilhard, offering wide views across the Loire Valley. The PR105 takes you to the Loire via the Foletier fishermen’s trail in 30 minutes round trip. Another option is the T47 – Objectif Loire route, which leads to the two natural highlights around Monistrol: the Gorges de Bilhard and the Gorges de la Loire near Gournier.

For planning purposes, the one-hour old-town walk and the Bilhard walk, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, are easy to distinguish; the route to the river via the fishermen’s trail is considerably shorter, at 30 minutes round trip. These times refer to the respective activities. You can decide whether to focus your stay on architectural history, a walk through the gorges, or the trail to the Loire.

Discover more destinations: Freycenet-La-Cuche, Saint-Georges-Lagricol, Saint-Jean-Lachalm, Langeac, Lavoûte-Chilhac, Roche-En-Régnier, Saint-Bérain, Saint-Julien-Des-Chazes.

See the regional travel overview: Haute-Loire.