Discover Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières

Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières can be explored from several angles: hiking routes, local history and a Friday market offer concrete themes for your stay. If you want to spend time outdoors, you can compare the two hiking trails by distance and walking time; historic buildings and the market offer other points of interest.

Hiking: two different time frames

The “Jeu de regards sur Méginand” nature trail starts in Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières. It is a 10-kilometre circular route, with an estimated walking time of around three and a half hours. Along the way, you can enjoy views of the Alps and Mont Blanc. The route therefore combines a longer walking time with a distant view that may be worth considering when planning a day’s hike.

Another option is the “Sentier du Ribes et du Ratier”. The trail runs alongside the Ratier stream and leads, among other places, to the Roman bridge. It is 8.8 kilometres long, takes about two hours to walk and has an elevation difference of 177 metres. The two routes can therefore be compared using specific figures: they differ by 1.2 kilometres, while their approximate walking times differ by around an hour and a half. If you base your day’s plans on the route measurements, check them again beforehand.

Landscape and local history

Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières has 42 hectares of designated forest areas. This information about the landscape complements the distant view from the nature trail, without implying that the forest areas are part of either route. This gives hikers a more nuanced picture: the nature trail offers a specific viewpoint, while the forest areas describe a separate aspect of the town.

The town’s history also stretches back a long way. In 1978, the foundations of a Gallo-Roman villa dating from the 2nd century BC were discovered in Les Hautprés. Two dates should therefore be distinguished: the year of the discovery and the period to which the villa dates. The Castel de la Sablière, on today’s Rue Marius Poncet, features structural elements from the 12th century. The Fort de Chapoly, also known as Fort de Méginand, represents a later historical period. It was built between 1890 and 1893 as part of Lyon’s defensive belt.

The local religious history includes the Eglise Saint Barthélémy. It has stained-glass windows and is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, patron saint of tanners. The history of the Castel de la Sablière and Fort de Chapoly, the archaeological find in Les Hautprés and the church each offer a different historical perspective. The Changez d’Air festival was founded in 2001 at L’Escale, adding a cultural dimension to the town’s history.

Friday market and local producers

A market of producers and food artisans takes place in Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières on Fridays from 4:00 to 7:30 pm. Lafaurie, a charcutier-traiteur from Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières, has a stall there. If you are planning a market visit, check the opening hours and whether individual vendors will be attending beforehand, as the range of goods and participating businesses may change. This lets you fit the market into your stay without making market day the sole reason for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sarcey, La Mulatière, Saint-Cyr-Au-Mont-d'Or, Pierre-Bénite, Décines-Charpieu, Ternand, Beaujeu, Tassin-La-Demi-Lune.

For the main travel overview: Rhône.