Régny: Priory, walking routes and Conté history

Get to know Régny through its architectural history, former pencil manufacturing and paths through the surrounding countryside. The fortified priory, sacred art and traces of the town’s fortifications sit alongside circular walking routes with different highlights. The Micro-Folie adds digital and playful formats to these historical themes.

Priory, fortifications and sacred art

The fortified priory of Régny was founded at the end of the 9th century and was under the authority of the Abbey of Charlieu. A priory is a monastic establishment; its dependence on Charlieu also places Régny within a wider ecclesiastical context. Remains of the fortifications that once surrounded the town can still be seen in Régny. The Chapelle de Naconne dates from the 12th century. The Ancienne église prieurale in Régny is decorated with 14th-century paintings. The historical dates mentioned thus span the period from the late 9th to the 14th century, linking the priory’s foundation with the later chapel and paintings.

Walking routes and half-timbered houses

The Circuit du Four à Chaux is a signposted 12.0 km circular walking route. It runs from the hills of Bois Dieu to the banks of the Rhins. Its length and transition from the hills to the riverbanks give you two concrete features to consider when choosing this route for your plans. Check trail conditions locally before setting off. The Circuit du Joli Cœur passes houses with half-timbering. Half-timbering is a building technique in which a wooden framework visibly divides the structure of a house. The route offers a specific reason to look not only at the route itself but also at the construction of the houses. The Circuit du Joli Cœur also lets you discover the countryside and the banks of the Rhins around Régny.

Micro-Folie de Régny

The Micro-Folie de Régny was inaugurated on 28 April 2023 at the Collège « Nicolas Conté ». It offers themed content on tablets, alongside activities using virtual reality headsets, game kits and the Ludothèque. The combination of themed content and various activity formats makes the Micro-Folie a cultural attraction in its own right, complementing the historical sites. The activity formats may change over time, so check the current programme and access arrangements before visiting.

Former Conté production

Conté graphite pencil production in Régny ran from 1856 to 1986. The former pencil factory can be seen in the hamlet of Le Forestier. The industrial history thus adds its own chapter to the earlier ecclesiastical and architectural periods. Check the current access arrangements before visiting; individual businesses or access options may change.

Discover more destinations: Chambles, Saint-Germain-Lespinasse, Mably, Saint-Régis-Du-Coin, Bellegarde-en-Forez, Les Salles, Épercieux-Saint-Paul, Chavanay

For the wider travel overview: Loire.