La Grand-Croix on the Gier: Trails, Park and Industrial History
Accommodation in La Grand-Croix
La Grand-Croix lies on the edge of the Massif du Pilat and on the Gier. If you’re looking for a hotel in La Grand-Croix, you can plan your stay around specific interests: the town offers hiking trails with different highlights, Parc de la Platière and traces of its industrial history. The arboretum adds a distinct theme of its own.
Location, rivers and Parc de la Platière
The Gier is the main watercourse in La Grand-Croix. The Dorlay forms the municipal boundary with Lorette. Thanks to its location and elevation, the town offers views across the area. For travel by car, the A47 is an important landmark: La Grand-Croix is on the motorway, with the entrance and exit located in the town centre.
On the banks of the Gier lies Parc de la Platière, which covers 7 hectares. It has picnic areas and an open-air theatre with 200 seats. The park also has a 1.6-kilometre fitness trail. This distance refers to the trail in the park; it should not be confused with the longer circular hike that also starts and ends there. The park thus brings together several specific places to visit, from outdoor exercise to a spot for a break or an event.
Hiking trails and viewpoints
The hiking trails differ in their routes and stated destinations. Trail Les Arcs – La Grand-Croix No. 1 follows the Gier and leads to a viewpoint in the Chavillon district, with views of the Pilat. Route La Faverge – La Grand-Croix No. 2 is an easy 7.1-kilometre circular hike. It starts and ends at Parc de la Platière; the stated duration is 2 hours 30 minutes. Along the way, it reaches the Croix de Corbeyre viewpoint, which looks out across the valley and the Massif du Pilat. The route is rated easy, but trail conditions can vary; check them before setting out.
The municipal hiking trail Chavillon – La Grand-Croix No. 3 also starts and ends at Parc de la Platière. It crosses the confluence of the Gier and Dorlay and leads to the former Pont de Chavillon. Two of the bridge’s piers remain. As well as following a particular route, this trail offers a tangible connection to the area’s history.
Industrial history and heritage
Pont de Chavillon was built in 1856 as a mountain railway bridge to transport coal from the Planèze and Combérigol concessions into the Gier Valley. Its wooden structure collapsed, permanently destroying the most interesting part of the bridge. The two surviving piers are reminders of the structure, although its original wooden framework no longer exists.
Another cultural point of interest is the arboretum of La Grand-Croix. Its theme is the domestication of wild-growing shrub species into cultivated fruit trees. Visits are possible by appointment; arrange your visit in advance. For groups of at least twelve people, CERPI offers guided tours with commentary along the Canal de Givors between Givors and La Grand-Croix. Alongside the hiking trails, you can therefore choose both a botanical theme and a guided introduction to the history of the canal.
Discover more destinations: Savigneux, Estivareilles, Saint-Nizier-Sous-Charlieu, Chandon, Rozier-Côtes-D'aurec, Saint-Marcel-De-Félines, Sauvain, Saint-Étienne.
For the overview of the wider area: Loire.
