Discover Commelle-Vernay

Commelle-Vernay can be explored through several specific visitor interests: the fortified church combines Romanesque architectural history with a remnant of a fortress, while Railbike and hiking trails offer different ways to get active. Viewpoints, two exceptionally large sundials, mini golf and the small Saveurs Sauvages shop complete the picture. When planning a stay, you can decide whether you would like to focus mainly on history, scenery or leisure activities.

Romanesque church and history

The fortified church is a Romanesque church dating from the 11th century. It was built by monks from Cluny and preserves a remnant of the fortress of the Counts of Forez from the early 14th century. The church contains a Black Madonna dating from the 13th to 14th century. The church building, fortress remnant and Madonna offer three distinct historical points of interest for visitors.

The church can be visited individually, free of charge and at any time without a guided tour. Check the current access conditions before your visit.

Railbike and former railway connection

Belvédère Aventures is an electrically assisted Railbike activity in Commelle-Vernay. The activity runs for 6.8 km along Lac de Villerest and also uses 3.2 km of a track formerly used by the tourist train. The Site du Belvédère is the activity's departure station. If Railbike is important to your visit, check the current operating conditions in advance.

The former railway connection is a separate matter: the Train de la Loire connected the Belvédère in Commelle-Vernay with the Belvédère in Magneux. This makes it possible to distinguish the historical connection between the two viewpoints from today's Railbike activity.

Hiking trails and viewpoints

At the Pôle touristique de Magneux, a hiking trail winds through the gentle hills of Commelle-Vernay and along the heights above Lac de Villerest. A longer hiking trail around Commelle-Vernay is Les Quatre Éléments. It offers a succession of viewpoints and panoramas. For three kilometres, the route follows the railway tracks and runs above the Loire.

The Site du Belvédère offers a view of the Villerest dam. The site also has a huge, double-sided sundial with a vertical disc two metres in diameter. Another huge sundial stands at the Pôle touristique de Magneux: it is 6.80 m long and 5 m high, with polar-style steps. The dimensions and designs give you two specific points of reference when viewing the installations.

Mini golf and activities for children

Mini-golf de Magneux offers an 18-hole course and is approved for competitions. Separately, the Pôle touristique de Magneux includes a play and sports area for children. This lets you take different leisure activities into account when planning, without treating them as the same as the hiking or cultural highlights.

Local produce and getting around

Saveurs Sauvages has a small farm shop in Commelle-Vernay. The business processes fruit, flowers and vegetables grown on the family farm in Commelle-Vernay into jams, syrups, chutneys and fruit pastes. If you would like to visit the shop, check access arrangements in advance.

Line 11 of the Roannais Agglomération network serves Commelle-Vernay, with 17 stops. Check the current route before travelling. Several kilometres of fully secured routes for soft mobility connect the village centre with the bridge over the Loire; check the condition of the routes before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Chambœuf, Villars, Doizieux, Saint-Cyr-Les-Vignes, Changy, La Valla-sur-Rochefort, Saint-Marcellin-En-Forez, Épercieux-Saint-Paul.

For the broader travel overview: Loire.