Marcenod: Hiking and Heritage

Marcenod is a village in the mid-mountain landscape of the Monts du Lyonnais. Marked circular trails, Crêt Malherbe and several architectural and cultural sites offer visitors different ways to explore the area. The municipality is part of the Saint-Étienne Métropole area and is served by its tourism office; at the same time, it sees itself as part of the identity of the Monts du Lyonnais. Marcenod can therefore be explored both in its regional context and through its specific trails, town center and named hamlets.

Hiking the Chemins du facteur

Five marked circular trails are collectively known as the Chemins du facteur. The green trail circles Crêt Malherbe, the highest point of the massif. It follows paths and small roads that connect hamlets and outlying farms. The route can thus be understood by its circular shape, its connection to the high point and its course through the settled landscape.

There is a trailhead sign for the Chemins du facteur in the village of Marcenod. Alternatively, you can start at the Bois de l’Hôpital recreation area, at the junction of the D65 and D23 southeast of the town center. Check the signs on site before setting off.

Elevation and panorama

Crêt Malherbe reaches 946 meters and is the highest point in the Monts du Lyonnais. At Bois de l’Hôpital, near the highest point, views extend across the Gier Valley, the Pilat and the Alps. Marcenod also has a picnic area with an exceptional panorama.

Church and historical traces

The Église de Marcenod stands in the town center. Residents built it in 1862 using donations and their own labor. It is made of exposed regional natural stone with exterior joints; inside, it is plastered with lime. The pillars, window surrounds and entrance portico are made of dressed stone, while the vaults are made of plaster over wooden laths. The church thus offers a glimpse of both its communal origins and the specific differences in its materials and construction.

At the lieu-dit Trocésar in the municipality of Marcenod stands the Château de Trocésar, also known as Château des trois Césars. As a residence, it dates from the 16th century and was formerly a fief of Grammond. Only an imposing round tower remains of the château; it preserves monumental fireplaces dating from the 16th century.

In the hamlet of La Thomassière, the chemin de la Roche au loup leads to a megalithic site with upright natural rock formations and megalithic stones. The three cultural sites differ in form: the church built by residents in 1862, the 16th-century residence with its former feudal connection to Grammond, and the megalithic site near La Thomassière.

Discover more destinations: Fontanès, Saint-Germain-Laval, Sauvain, Saint-Didier-Sur-Rochefort, Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, Villerest, Saint-Régis-Du-Coin, Cuinzier.

For the broader travel overview: Loire.