Changy: Heritage and Trails in the Countryside

Changy offers a range of themes for a stay: the story of Blessed Philippa de Champ-Milan, historic buildings and trails that highlight waterscapes or sweeping views. You can explore the history of the village and nature themes as distinct areas of interest.

Church, Mill and Dovecote

Changy’s present-day church tells the story of Blessed Philippa de Champ-Milan. She was born in Changy in the 15th century and died on 15 October 1451 while caring for people who had contracted the plague. Her birthplace, the period in which she lived and her care for the sick give the church’s history a specific personal connection. The church thus links the history of the village with the life of a well-known individual.

Of the three mills near the village of Changy, Moulin Berthier is the only one that has survived. It is a distinct point of interest in the area’s built heritage: it is a mill whose survival sets it apart from the other two.

The Colombier de Changy dates from the early 19th century. Its circular shape and hemispherical roof define its exterior. Inside, around 600 boulins can be viewed via a central ladder. Boulins are nesting niches in a dovecote. The round exterior is thus linked to an interior in which individual niches are arranged across several levels.

Circular Walk and Landscapes

The L’étang d’Arçon circular walk is 10.5 km long. Its circular route gives you a clearly defined format for planning an outing. The route information lists the car park at Salle d’animation, Vers Mont, 42310 Changy as the parking area for the walk.

Étang d’Arçon is a private pond. Tables and facilities are reserved exclusively for anglers, so they should not be counted on as a general rest stop. This restriction is important if you are interested in the pond and its surroundings: its private status and the use of its facilities go hand in hand.

The ponds along the L’étang d’Arçon outing attract breeding birds, as well as migratory birds passing through during the cold season. The nature experience therefore changes over the course of the year: breeding birds are the focus during nesting season, while migratory birds pass through in winter. For visitors interested in nature, this seasonal change is a distinct factor to consider when choosing an outing.

The Le Tour du Pont – Demain route offers a different landscape. It takes in rivers, waterfalls, vineyards, forests and former mills, with sweeping views of the Monts de la Madeleine and the Roanne plain. While the circular format and distance provide a guide to L’étang d’Arçon, the variety of landscape features and expansive views define the character of this route. The two routes therefore differ in what they bring to the fore.

Discover more destinations: Cellieu, Bonson, Palogneux, Sail-Sous-Couzan, Saint-Didier-Sur-Rochefort, Pouilly-sous-Charlieu, Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, Bussières.

For the broader travel overview: Loire.