Haute-Rivoire: Hiking and Village History

Haute-Rivoire can be explored through two themes: trails across the countryside and places that tell the village’s history. When planning your trip, you can consider marked circular trails, historic chapels, museum exhibits and seasonal activities. This can help you decide whether you would like to focus your trip on outdoor activities, culture or a particular experience.

Circular Trails and Countryside

The Balade de Saint-Gorgolu is a 4 km circular trail with 94 m of positive elevation gain. It passes through the Bois du Bancel to the Pierre de Saint-Gorgolu. The trail is open daily year-round and free to access. Check route conditions and local trail information before setting off.

The Circuit du patrimoine de Haute-Rivoire is also a circular trail, with a marked length of 2 km. It too is open daily year-round and free to access. If you would prefer a shorter loop, the Circuit du patrimoine, at 2 km, is half the length of the 4 km Balade de Saint-Gorgolu; the Balade also has 94 m of positive elevation gain.

Local History and Historic Buildings

The Parcours Patrimoine – À la découverte du village features 18 information panels at buildings and places that have shaped Haute-Rivoire. On Chemin de la Bourrie, the village heritage trail leads to the Chapelle Notre-Dame des Grâces. Its history is linked to Odet Gazanchon, Seigneur de Chavannes, and his wife Benoîte Ressicaud: after her death, he had the chapel built. In her will, she had expressed the wish for a chapel to be built near the cross at La Bourrie.

Another historic chapel in the village is Notre-Dame du Bon Secours. It was built in 1864 in the Empire style.

The Musée du Clocher presents documents and objects about village life around 1900. During a visit, you can also discover the roof timbers dating from 1679 and the carillon from 1844.

More Things to Do in Haute-Rivoire

Salva Terra is a historical reconstruction of a 13th-century medieval village. In the scriptorium, children can try calligraphy or draw coats of arms. The armoury showcases military equipment and methods of warfare.

The seasonal Labyland is a corn maze with passages through corn more than two metres high. Each year, the offering includes a new themed large-scale game: adventure and discovery combine with quizzes and letter and logic games. As this attraction is seasonal, check opening dates before your trip.

At the Ferme des Bourettes, the visitor programme includes guided tours of the Aubrac cattle herd and caring for numerous farm animals. The programme is seasonal and requires reservations; check current dates in advance.

For mountain biking, the Circuit VTT 100 – Autour de la Thoranche is a moderately difficult route with relatively little elevation gain. Families can also ride it. If you are choosing between the routes, the Circuit VTT is a moderately difficult mountain-bike trail with relatively little elevation gain; the Balade de Saint-Gorgolu is a 4 km circular trail with 94 m of positive elevation gain.

Discover more destinations: Marcy-Lʼétoile, Amplepuis, Sainte-Colombe, Theizé, Sarcey, Taluyers, Juliénas, Brullioles.

For the broader travel overview: Rhône.