Renaison: Forest Trails, Waterfall and Cultural Heritage

Renaison brings together several themes for a stay: the Chapelle Saint-Roch and its panoramic views, walking trails through the mid-mountain forests around the dams, the Douglas Président and a clog-making tradition that has lasted for eight generations. The town lies at the heart of a wine-growing area; the Route des Vins Forez-Roannais is also mentioned in connection with Renaison. When choosing a hotel in Renaison, it helps to consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on the landscape and trails or on cultural heritage and crafts.

Landscape and trails by the dams

The Barrages de Renaison offer viewpoints and walking trails through a mid-mountain forest. The landscape around the dams is listed in the inventory of scenic landscapes in the Loire. This places specific trails and viewpoints alongside the area’s landscape designation. You can explore the natural surroundings from two perspectives: as a walk through the forest and as a landscape listed in an inventory of the Loire.

There are picnic tables at the Barrage du Chartrain site. A path with several small purpose-built footbridges leads to a natural waterfall. The summit of the Barrage du Chartrain can be reached on foot via a marked trail; check local conditions before setting out. The picnic tables, the path to the waterfall and the walking route to the summit offer different options: you can focus on a break at the site, the path with its footbridges or the access to the summit.

The Douglas Président

The Douglas Président stands near the Barrage du Chartrain in Renaison. Its height is given as 66.62 metres; this figure may be updated by those responsible for the site. In 2021, the tree was recognised as an “Arbre Remarquable” (Remarkable Tree). Its height and its recognition are two different points of reference: the figure in metres gives its stated size, while the designation reflects the tree’s recognition. For nature lovers, the Douglas is a distinct, clearly identified highlight alongside the forest and waterside scenery of the dams.

Chapelle Saint-Roch and clog-making

The present-day Chapelle Saint-Roch was built between 1869 and 1872. It offers panoramic views of Renaison’s rooftops and the surrounding landscapes. The chapel brings together two different perspectives: its construction dates give it a historical context, while the panorama frames the town’s rooftops and the surrounding landscape. The focus is thus on a specific historical period and a view overlooking Renaison.

The Saboterie Drigeard adds a craft dimension to this cultural aspect. It represents a clog-making tradition that has lasted for eight generations and showcases the traditional and contemporary craft of making wooden clogs. If you are interested in a demonstration, check the visitor arrangements in advance. The tradition and the making process offer different perspectives: one describes how the craft has been passed down through generations, while the other shows the process of making clogs in the past and today.

Renaison as a stopover

Renaison is a stop on the Way of St James and the Via Sancti Martini. These pilgrimage-route connections add another way of understanding the town to its nature and cultural heritage themes. When choosing a destination, you can consider whether you are more interested in one of these stopover connections, the walking trails and viewpoints, or the local crafts. This gives Renaison a range of themes to explore when searching for a hotel and planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Roanne, Saint-Médard-en-Forez, Saint-Marcel-De-Félines, Rozier-Côtes-D'aurec, Saint-Marcel D'urfé, Villars, Changy, Saint-Jean-La-Vêtre.

For the regional travel overview: Loire.