A little bit of nature
How about spending a long weekend exploring Saint-Etienne and its surroundings? Here are a few ideas and a day-by-day itinerary to help you make the most of your trip.
Arrive by train at Châteaucreux station. Then head off to enjoy the fresh air in the Pilat region. To do this, rent a Citiz car or similar; there are plenty of options available near the station.
First day of exploration
We begin by discovering a taste of the region’s gastronomy, particularly the wine of the Gier Valley. The Domaine les Déplaude de Tartaras covers 7 hectares of vineyards. That’s a lot of wine… Here, Anne and Pierre-André, farmer-winemakers, offer around fifteen different vintages. Don’t hesitate to join them in the vineyards to discover their work and taste their organic and biodynamic wines. That’s all there is to it!
In search of authentic nature and traditional artisanal cuisine, head to the Auberge de Grange Rouet for lunch, where you’ll never be disappointed. The traditional cuisine is full of flavor and the unique setting at an altitude of 800 meters is in the heart of Pilat.
After lunch, what could be better than a peaceful place steeped in history? In Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, there is an exceptional heritage site, La Chartreuse. It is also the only example in France of a former Carthusian monastery that has become a village. Not bad, right?
L’Eclosion is the place to go for dinner, and why not spend the night in this elegant establishment, which combines contemporary decor with the classic architecture of a castle? As for the restaurant, it is heavily influenced by organic produce. Pierre Carducci, a young 24-year-old chef, draws much of his inspiration from his father, an organic market gardener.
Second day of exploration
Today, we’re heading up high to explore Crêt de l’Oeillon. Perched at 1,364 meters, it offers breathtaking views across the Rhône Valley from Lyon to Valence. If you’re lucky, you can even see the Alps. We follow the hiking trails and let ourselves be guided. Here, you can also discover unusual activities: dog sledding, survival courses, via ferrata… In short, there’s something for everyone.
Authentic and family-friendly, that’s how you could describe the Auberge de la Barbanche for a good, convivial lunch. Spend some time sharing in a natural setting while discovering the region’s specialties. Let’s go!
Let’s pretend to be sailors in the heart of the Loire Gorges in Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. Take advantage of the idyllic setting to rent an electric boat or set off on a wakeboarding adventure to discover the shores and the Château de Grangent. If you’re feeling a little more relaxed, don’t worry, you can also try a cruise on the electric boat Le Grangent. Who would have thought of that?
Dining in Saint-Etienne, at the wine bar and restaurant We’re working on the aperitif, finding the best aperitif products for you: 100% French, artisanal, and mainly organic, nothing less! And if you’re won over by your discovery, a stop at the grocery store is a must.
Accommodation: we choose the Hôtel Continental, a former coaching inn dating back to 1852, which surprises us with its originality and design. We sink into the sheets of one of the 14 rooms, each with its own unique
Third day of exploration
On the third day, we stroll around and (re)discover the green city thanks to the Tour en Ville. We provide you with everything you need to open your mind and lose yourself in Saint-Etienne. And if you want to discover secret spots, head to the Stéphanois Hors Cadre.fr website.
For culture, head to the Cité du Design. The center of creativity in Saint-Etienne, it will surprise you with its new exhibitions, which are brilliant and bizarre…
Head to La Fabuleuse cantine to continue the day with a delicious lunch. Come and discover inventive cuisine with an ethical and unique philosophy. Here, they buy unsold organic and sustainably farmed food to transform it into creative cuisine.
