Discovering the heritage around Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon

Park in the car park at Place des Canes, at the western entrance to Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon (Route de Craponne-sur-Arzon).

(S/E) Start the route by heading right towards the village and take the second street on the right, Chemin de La Pouilhat, at the drinking trough, known locally as budéron or bidériou. Follow the yellow markings (^PR®) and the red and white markings (^GR® 3F)
After a short climb, you’ll reach the village of Méalet. Continue straight on (southwards) along the main road until you leave Méalet, just after the cross.

(1) Turn onto the track on the right. Follow the sign for the orientation table. Leave the red and white markings and follow the yellow markings. After the orientation table, the track becomes a pleasant grassy path. You will reach the village of Boisset-Haut.

(2) At the first farm, turn right for a short detour towards the village to see Le Calvaire du Lurou. Leave the yellow markings. Take the path running behind the first houses, on the right. It leads out opposite the calvary.

(3) Turn back towards the village entrance.

(2) Return to the yellow markings. At the fork in the tracks, in front of the farm, take the left-hand track which runs alongside it. Reach the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Lorette

(4) Continue straight on along the track (yellow markings). Return to the^GR® junction^.

(5) Carry on straight ahead, ignoring the^GR® and also leaving the yellow markings behind. At the bottom of the small valley, turn left onto the grassy path between two low walls. Reach the junction with the D12 road.

(6) Take the road on the left for a few metres (signposted Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon) and immediately take the track on the right, which descends into the forest. You will find the yellow markings here again. Continue on to reach the village of Chaturanges.

(7) Turn left onto the small road which also forms part of the^GR®3F, marked with red and white signs. You will reach the hamlet of Le Bouchet.

(8) Turn right to explore Le Chier de Saint Martin, head down to the right onto the road (signposted Conches-Apinac) and immediately after the traffic calming measures, take the path on the right. Cross the little stream of Chandieu via a footbridge and continue along a well-marked, grassy path.
Nestled in the forest is a granite slab: the Saint-Marty polishing stone.

(9) Return via the same path to Le Bouchet.

(8) Head right towards Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon. Walk through the hamlet of Montalet. Reach the entrance to Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon, opposite the cemetery.

(10) Head back down towards the village centre on the right. Reach Place de la Terrasse or Place Truchard Du Molin to begin your tour of this medieval village:

Enter the historic heart of the medieval village through the North Gate, near which you’ll find a signpost for a route highlighting the main architectural features.
As soon as you pass through the gate, follow the sign for ‘Parvis de l’Église-Panorama’ by taking the first alley on the right.
Retrace your steps, then head right towards Place Bertrand de Chalancon: polygonal corner tower, steps leading up to the church.
Then take the^first alley on the right which leads down to Rue des Écuries.
A short detour to admire the west gate. Turn right into the Passage du Château.
Turn left, then right to pass under the south gate.

(11) Walk along Rue du Palais on the right and finally turn left onto the grassy path leading back down to the starting point at Place des Canes (S/E).

A very easy walk. A pair of trainers will suffice. Few roads, none of them major, plenty of pleasant paths to explore.
Numerous information boards along the route.
Picnic table at the Notre-Dame de Lorette chapel.

- Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon: a small medieval village. A signposted route near the North Gate makes it easy to explore the village’s main attractions: castle (^15th century), fortified walls, towers, listed gates, turreted houses, mullioned windows...
- The church (often closed):^15th-century polychrome wooden Pietà,^18th-century Black Madonna, painting by Lassalle-Borde (Descent from the Cross).
- The Boisset-Haut Oratory Cross or Lurou Calvary: highly unusual for the region. The cross (late^15th century) features magnificent, highly intricate carving.
- Neolithic polishing stone at Chier Marty: a granite boulder where people used to polish their tools.

Saint-Pal