Discover Neaux: Views, Hiking Trails and History

Discover Neaux through its views, hiking options and historic landmarks. At 630 m, Les Crêts is the highest point in the village, and the named trails each have their own features. When planning, it’s worth distinguishing between these options by their views, trail length, scenery or destination. If you’re looking for a hotel in Neaux, you can use these highlights to decide in advance which experiences matter to you during your stay.

Views and scenery on the Circuit des Crêts

At 630 m, Les Crêts is the highest point in Neaux. The Circuit des Crêts is a circular hiking route with a viewpoint at Les Crêts offering 360-degree views. From Les Crêts, the panorama extends across the entire département. The Circuit des Crêts follows the Gand alongside riverside woodland. The route thus combines two distinct landscape features: far-reaching views and riverside woodland along the Gand. If you value panoramic views when hiking, Les Crêts provides a specific point of reference; the Gand adds a different aspect to the scenery.

Hiking options by length and focus

The Les Crêts trail is 2.2 km long and runs through the forest. It offers a chance to discover the local fauna and flora, as well as features such as the source of the Crêt. The trail’s length and its defining forest character provide specific points of reference; its natural features and the source are part of the experience described. The Circuit des Marguerites offers a different scale: this circular route starts in Neaux, is 17 km long and links varied landscapes with religious sites. The two distances show a clear difference in scope; the descriptions of the scenery and themes also help convey the character of each trail. Trail conditions can change; check the current situation before setting out.

The village’s historical connections

The Chaussée Sainte Marguerite ran through Neaux and was part of the royal road from Paris to Lyon. Roman remains have survived from this road. Neaux thus has both a section of this road network and surviving Roman traces as historical points of interest. Neaux is also one of the oldest parishes in the Roannais. The Circuit des Marguerites also includes religious sites, adding another cultural dimension. You can take these different themes into account when planning your trip: the road’s history, the parish’s past and religious sites along a circular route.

Botanical activities and getting your bearings

L’Ortillère offers workshops on gathering and cooking edible wild plants, as well as botanical walks. The related tourism listings were updated on 28 March 2025; check in advance for current arrangements. Neaux’s village centre is laid out on both sides of the RN7. This information can help you get your bearings in the village centre. Together, the trails, historical connections and botanical activities offer different ways to plan your stay in Neaux around your interests.

Discover more destinations: Pralong, Bourg-Argental, La Pacaudière, Aveizieux, Montverdun, Chambœuf, Régny, Jas

For the broader travel overview: Loire.