Discover Bussières

When choosing a destination, Bussières stands out for its textile history, historic buildings and hiking trails. The Musée du tissage et de la soierie combines guided tours with weaving demonstrations; there is also the architectural history of the bandstand and church, as well as trails with different focuses. This helps you decide in advance whether you would like to plan your stay around weaving, cultural walks or longer hikes.

Weaving at the Musée du tissage et de la soierie

The Musée du tissage et de la soierie in Bussières offers guided tours with demonstrations on looms dating from 1800 to the present day. All the looms are in working order. For travellers interested in textile production, the particular focus is therefore not only on the history of weaving, but also on demonstrations using functioning looms. The time span ranges from historic to modern equipment, giving the subject a broad scope. With a guided tour and demonstration, weaving itself is at the heart of a visit to the museum.

The bandstand and church: two historical timelines

The bandstand in Bussières is unique in the canton. Its origins are closely linked to local musical life: A. Jourlin, leader of the Bussières brass band, organised a public fundraising campaign in 1930, which led to the bandstand being built. It was inaugurated and handed over to the municipality on 20 July 1930, during a major music festival. The organiser, public collection, music festival and handover are thus all part of a single history of its origins.

The Eglise Saint Barthélémy can also be understood through its successive construction periods. The present church was inaugurated in 1843 and stands on the site of an older church built around 1250. The former church and the present building are therefore connected by the same location, but clearly distinct in time.

Cultural walks and hiking trails

The Sentier Les pèlerins is a cultural walk that passes the Chapelle Saint-Roch, the hamlet of Saint-Albin and the remains of the Château de Montcellier. These named stops bring together religious history, a hamlet and the traces of a castle along one route. The Chapelle Saint-Roch is dedicated to the saint regarded as the patron saint of pilgrims, healer of plague victims and protector of animals.

The Sentier Saint-Roch is a 19.0-kilometre loop that starts in Bussières. The route passes through the countryside around Bussières, through forests and along rivers. It also takes you to the Chapelle Saint-Roch, Saint-Albin and the Château de Montcellier. The difference between this route and the Sentier Les pèlerins is clear when choosing a trail: the latter focuses on three cultural stops, while the Sentier Saint-Roch is described as a circular route with a specified distance. Both trails share the Chapelle Saint-Roch as a point of interest.

The GR Terre de Tisseurs is also part of the regional hiking network. Its trails run from Jas via Bussières to Colombe-sur-Gand. This makes Bussières part of the route described between the two named places; this route should be distinguished from the circular and cultural trails described locally.

A listed bus route

TIL route M318 is listed for the Néronde–Bussières–Feurs journey. If you are considering taking this route, check the current timetable before you set off.

For the wider travel overview: Loire.