La Tuilière: Trails, Washhouses and History

La Tuilière combines hiking and mountain biking routes with historic sites and washhouses. The marked routes vary in length, difficulty and activity. When planning your stay, you can consider whether a hike, a mountain bike ride or a visit to the local heritage sites best suits your interests.

Hiking Trails and Mountain Biking Routes

Numerous hiking trails cross La Tuilière. They can be explored on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. One specific hiking option is Les grandes Bruyères: this easy route is 9.4 km long, and the stated duration is about three hours. It passes through the bocage landscape of La Tuilière and offers viewpoints as well as preserved local heritage. At Les grandes Bruyères, a small stone mill processes wheat grains into organic flour, available as wholemeal, semi-wholemeal and white flour.

The mountain biking routes have different stated difficulty levels. The signposted Route N° 4 – Epinat starts in La Tuilière and is a moderately difficult circular route for mountain bikes and e-bikes. It is 13.4 km long. Route N° 5 – Le Rocher Dardant, by contrast, is classified as difficult: it starts in La Tuilière, covers 19.2 km and includes 528 metres of elevation gain; the stated duration is 1 hour 35 minutes. Check the conditions and signage before setting off. La Tuilière is also listed as a starting point for the Massif des Bois Noirs VTT-FFC area. If you plan to visit this area, check the current availability of the routes.

Another short circular trail is located next to the Lavoir in La Tuilière. Created in 2018, it is freely accessible and features information panels about the main natural habitats and species of the Natura 2000 site. It is worth checking the trail conditions before your visit. The circular trail has a different focus from the longer routes: its main focus is on habitats and species, while Les grandes Bruyères combines bocage landscapes, viewpoints and local heritage.

Washhouses and Historic Sites

The history of the area can also be traced through specific buildings and remains. The foundation stone of La Tuilière church was laid on 16 April 1856, and construction was completed on 16 November 1857. The historic hamlet of La Tuilière was established at the beginning of the 19th century beside a brickworks. The foundations of the brickworks remain between the road and the Böen River, which is rich in fish.

The restored Lavoir de Brossard is in the hamlet of Brossard at an altitude of 749 m and offers views of nature. It can be reached on foot from the car park in the town centre via signposted paths in about ten minutes. Treat the walking time as an estimate, since path conditions may vary. A visit combines a short walk with a historic site, without requiring a longer hiking route.

At the entrance to the hamlet of Montloup, a picnic area at the Lavoir de Montloup sits at an altitude of 950 m. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Monts du Forez. Hiking Route N° 15 on the Plateau de Montloup also starts at the same washhouse. In winter, it can be hiked on snowshoes; conditions depend on the snow cover. This makes the route a seasonal option alongside the hiking and cycling routes, which have different designations year-round.

The picnic area at the Lavoir du Bourg includes an educational trail by the restored washhouse; the Madone is nearby. Another Madonna statue stands on a wooded plot near La Tuilière and was recently restored. The village is listed as historic heritage. Together with the church and the preserved foundations of the brickworks, these sites complement the nature and route offerings with a glimpse of the area’s architectural and religious heritage.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Médard-en-Forez, Cellieu, Le Coteau, Saint-Martin-la-Sauveté, Maringes, Aveizieux, Chambœuf, Saint-Priest-La-Prugne.

For the broader travel overview: Loire.