Bonson: River Paths, Chapel and Culture

Bonson lies in the Forez plain between Saint-Étienne and Montbrison. This location gives you a clear geographical reference for planning your trip. The Bonson River is also a useful landmark: it is a direct tributary of the Loire and flows into it on the left bank. In Bonson, walking paths follow the river or connect it with the Chapelle Notre-Dame. Other attractions include the historic building, an annual pilgrimage and events at the Médiathèque de Bonson. This offers several ways to shape your stay: nature and walking routes, history or culture.

Bonson and Its River Paths

The PR 65 – La Chapelle walking trail follows the Bonson, crosses it via a footbridge and then leads to the forecourt of the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonson. The route thus links the river, a crossing and a specific destination. If you are interested in the connection between landscape and architecture, this sequence is particularly distinctive: the path first follows the Bonson, then crosses the bridge and continues to the chapel.

Another trail description highlights different features: the PR 66 – Le Tour de la Tuilerie passes through deciduous and coniferous woodland, then follows the left bank of the Bonson. This route focuses on the different types of woodland and the subsequent stretch along the water. The PR 65 connects the river with the chapel forecourt; the PR 66 highlights the trees and riverbank. These differences help you choose between the routes based on the landscapes and points of interest described.

Choosing Walking Trails by Duration and Difficulty

The PR 71 – La Grande Virée de Bonson starts at the Bonson cemetery. The route is 13.5 kilometres long, is rated moderate and takes approximately four hours. The approximate duration gives you a specific reference point for planning your day; the difficulty rating and route length are other factors to consider when making your own plans. Route details may be updated, so check the current route description before setting out.

The three trails can be compared based on their different features: the PR 65 includes a river crossing and the chapel forecourt, while the PR 66 features woodland and the banks of the Bonson. The PR 71 also specifies a route length, difficulty level and approximate duration. This gives it a different timeframe for planning than the other two trails, whose descriptions focus primarily on the route and its landscape features.

Chapelle Notre-Dame and Cultural Events

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonson is a rare medieval landmark in Bonson. Parts of the building date from the late 11th century; it was altered in the 15th and 16th centuries. The chapel therefore reveals both early architectural elements and later phases of alteration. It is protected as a historic monument; it was listed by decree on 3 November 1987.

A pilgrimage takes place at the chapel every year on the first Sunday in September. If you would like to plan your trip around it, keep this recurring date in mind and check the date for the relevant year. This lets you combine your visit to the chapel with a specific occasion without conflating it with the other walking or cultural activities.

The Médiathèque de Bonson hosts illustration workshops, performances, role-playing games and exhibitions. Its programme includes creative, participatory and performing arts events. If you are particularly interested in one of these, check the programme for your travel dates. The pilgrimage and Médiathèque events offer different ways to plan your visit: the pilgrimage takes place on a set day each year, while for the cultural programme you can check the dates of the events scheduled at the time.

Planning Your Journey

Bonson TER station is located at 8 Avenue de Saint-Rambert, 42160 Bonson. If you are considering travelling by TER, you can use this address as a reference. Check the timetable applicable to your travel dates before setting off so you can take your specific connection into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Bonnet-Des-Quarts, Bussières, La Tuilière, Malleval, Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, Violay, La Ricamarie, Épercieux-Saint-Paul.

For the broader travel overview: Loire.