Around the Communay mines

Did you know that there are traces of mining activity in Communay (south of Lyon)?
To discover them, follow this easy path. This hike can be done in two stages:
1) around the Sauveur, Baytan, Guérin and Dufélix pits;
2°) around the Espérance shaft headframe (rebuilt by associations linked to the mine) and a small slag heap, now wooded.

Details

142594
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 20 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 21 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 249 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 219 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park near the terracotta brick mine reservoir and the wagons, close to the Espérance well post, at the intersection of Rue de la Garde and Impasse du Talamont.

(S/E) Take Rue de la Garde southwards. Ignore the path coming from the left and turn right onto Chemin du Tram.

(1). At the end of the tarmac road, turn right onto Chemin de Sainte-Lucie (street name that you will find further on).

(2) At the Bayettant post (you will pass close to the Bayettant well), continue straight ahead until you reach the D150E. Turn right onto the D150E and continue to the roundabout.

(3) Go around it on the left. In the centre of the roundabout, admire the statue of the miner pushing a wagon. Pass in front of the Hector Berlioz College. Continue on the D150E until it intersects with the D150 (Route de Marennes).

(4) Turn left onto the D150 (towards Lyon) and continue on this road until you reach Rue de la Guicharde and Poteau Combeau.

(5). Leave the D150 and turn right onto a dirt track. Continue straight ahead (south) until you reach a large crossroads.

(6). Turn right onto the path between the two fields. This path is bordered on the right by a fairly deep rainwater drainage canal. It leads to a small group of villas (Impasse du Plan).

(7) At the end of Impasse du Plan, turn left onto Rue du 30 Mai 1944. Then cross the D150E (Route de Limon) and take Rue des Perrières to the Dufélix signpost.

(8) Turn right onto Chemin des Gueules Noires. At the Puits Espérance post, you are 100 m from the car park (on the right) (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 231 m - Small car park near the mine reservoir
  2. 1 : km 1.32 - alt. 233 m - Chemin du Tram
  3. 2 : km 1.94 - alt. 243 m - Chemin de Sainte-Lucie
  4. 3 : km 3.18 - alt. 227 m - Roundabout; Statue of a miner at work
  5. 4 : km 4.36 - alt. 228 m - Intersection of the D10E and D150
  6. 5 : km 5.28 - alt. 225 m - Combeau short hike signpost
  7. 6 : km 5.58 - alt. 220 m - Fossé du plan
  8. 7 : km 6.31 - alt. 223 m - Intersection of Impasse du Plan and Rue du 30 mai 1944
  9. 8 : km 6.77 - alt. 233 m - Dufélix short hike signpost
  10. S/E : km 7.29 - alt. 231 m - Small car park near the mine reservoir

Notes

This is a short walk, so you only need to bring a little water. There are shops in Communay.

A headframe has been rebuilt nearby, which you can see on the map: a short loop trail that allows you to see it up close and see an entrance to the mine (closed). From the car park, take the path where the wagons are parked (Impasse du Talamont) and turn right at the headframe to access this area

Worth a visit

There are other photos to take and many other things to see. Look at the map, stray a little from the path and look for the shafts, there are several of them.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 24 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fascinating tour through the history of mining in Communay
On the market gardening circuit, with panoramic views of the Pilat massif.
Thanks to the author for this informative discovery.

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Sud 8
Sud 8

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short hike that's a good way to stretch your legs and discover Communay's mining history.
It was an opportunity to go on the last hike of 2023.
Thanks to the author.

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domibr
domibr

Hello,
The signposts for "LA GOULE" and "DUFELIX" were lying on the ground... I reported them on the website www.rhone.fr and to Suricate more than two years ago... But nothing had been done despite a reminder from me...
A friend had the opportunity to pass by again and told me that they had been put back up, but with a new type of sign...
It's true that we often hesitate, but as they say: all roads lead to Rome :=)
Personally, I used the map of the Rhône department (Val d'Ozon and Balmes Dauphinoises) to find my way around...
A pleasant walk in mid-season...
Happy hiking.
Best regards.
Dominique

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FAYLE-ES.J3
FAYLE-ES.J3

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The circuit lacks road signs.

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ANNGVG
ANNGVG

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route close to Lyon. If you want to take a shorter walk, that's also possible. No need to be an expert. Only one section requires caution if you have young children (between point 3 and the miner's statue) as the D150 is quite busy.(With children, I recommend cutting the route short by taking the path that branches off just before point 2 on the right and joins the D150 without going through the more dangerous section. This path offers a very pretty view of the village). The most pleasant section, as it is outside the village, connects points 5/6/7/8/1/2/3.

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JLE12
JLE12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A short and easy walk, perfect for a family day out. However, a large part of it is on tarmac and very urban. The mining aspects are interesting but few and far between and not documented. It is a shame that the town of Communay does not do more to showcase this heritage.
An unusual feature that children will enjoy: part of the path has been renamed "Chemin du confinement" (Confinement Path) and is lined with decorated "walking sticks" installed by the many users of this path for their 1-hour/1-kilometre walk!

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randomiolande
randomiolande

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

a short walk to warm up, but not very interesting in terms of scenery and sites... no information about the mines,
rather ordinary village...

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RANDONNEUR3807
RANDONNEUR3807
• Edited:

Thank you, Callisto69.
When I described this route, my aim was to highlight a little-known mining fact and turn it into a rather pleasant walk.
I heard about the Friends of the Mine association, but I was unable to meet with them. Its founding president passed away a few years ago after a long illness. That's my excuse, but the reference you provided, which I have read, is extremely interesting. It will be useful to others who read these exchanges.
The remains of this mining past are difficult to find. I have been able to identify a few, but my work is too fragmented to make a route.
Thank you and best regards, Randonneur 3807

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Callisto69
Callisto69

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

There are no information boards near the wells, so it is necessary to look up information on the internet, for example:http://www.cfchanteraines.fr/lvdc/lvdc02...

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gdeville
gdeville

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Communay, a beautiful village with a mining history to discover or rediscover

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SAVONNIERE Martine
SAVONNIERE Martine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This hike is not recommended in summer as there is little shade. I really enjoyed this hike.

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kevinniels56
kevinniels56

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Easy route, but too many tarmac roads. Nevertheless, for people who are not trained, it is pleasant, with pretty scenery

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jemache
jemache

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

there are no signs on site providing information about the mine or the operating conditions
That's a shame

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Ptitdoom
Ptitdoom

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A quick and easy stroll to enjoy on a Sunday after a good meal!

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Sylvie69360
Sylvie69360

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A very fast and very easy walk. Good for digestion, for example, or while running.

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