Simandre-sur-Suran: Menhir, Fords and Hiking

Simandre-sur-Suran offers several specific points of interest to help you plan your trip: the Menhir de Pierre-Fiche, the fords on the Suran, the “Côte de Thioles, Menhir et gués” hiking route, and the Gare de Simandre-sur-Suran railway station. If you are looking for a hotel in the town, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the town centre and ford, a hike, or travelling by regional train. The local details below give you clear reference points for planning your days and your trip.

Fords on the Suran

The Gué de Simandre ford is in the town centre, slightly downstream from the church. Its location can therefore be identified using two landmarks: the central part of town and the church. The ford is thought to date back to the Middle Ages, though this remains an assumption. The Gué de Banchin is also on the Suran, one of two other fords. The names refer to different points along the river. If you are interested in the town’s history, the Gué de Simandre’s probable medieval origins provide a historical connection, without establishing an exact age.

Menhir de Pierre-Fiche

The Menhir de Pierre-Fiche is on private property and is clearly visible from a hiking trail. If you plan to include it in your hike, take account of the access conditions for the private property. Its visibility from the trail makes the menhir a possible landmark for hikers; at the same time, its location on private property is an important consideration for visitors. This allows you to take the stone’s visibility into account while respecting the conditions of the property.

Hiking route and flooding

The “Côte de Thioles, Menhir et gués” hiking route starts at Place de la Fromagerie in Simandre-sur-Suran. This specific starting point helps you include the route in your plans. Water levels are also important for whether the route can be walked: when the Suran is in flood, the route is impassable. As conditions can vary, check local conditions before setting out. The starting point and flood advisory answer different planning questions: one gives you the starting location, while the other is relevant when deciding whether to set off. Consider both details if you plan to do this hike during your stay.

Travelling by regional train

Gare de Simandre-sur-Suran railway station is served by regional trains on the Bourg-en-Bresse or Lyon-Perrache–Saint-Claude route. If you are travelling by train, check the current timetable before your journey, as train connections and schedules can change. This will help you fit the train journey into your travel plans. These routes provide a specific point of reference for getting there; for your actual travel time, the timetable checked before you travel remains decisive.

For a train journey, the timetable is the practical basis for planning; if you want to walk the hiking route, check local conditions because of possible flooding. These considerations relate to different parts of your stay and can be taken into account in line with your arrival and planned activities.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône, Dagneux, Chazey-sur-Ain, Saint-Didier-De-Formans, Thoiry, Meximieux, Mogneneins, La Boisse

For the broader travel overview: Ain.