Le Crozet and La Pacaudière

Car park on the Route du Crozet (D35) at the start of the Chemin de la Frairie, near the hamlet of Le Bas Bourg.

(S/E) Head towards the small cluster of trees in the centre of the square, walk past it, leaving the white house on your left as you climb the path. You’ll have the Crozet keep in your sights ahead of you, high up on the hill.
At the top of the path, when you reach Route du Crozet at the junction with Chemin du Bas Bourg, turn left onto Route du Crozet and go under the bridge. On the right after the bridge, take the Chemin de la Grimpette to climb up towards Le Crozet. A short section may be damp. You’ll arrive in front of the Auberge du Vieux Crozet; leave it on your right and continue up to the Place du Puits, near a crucifix and the Tourist Office.

(1) Turn right onto Rue de la Grande Charrière and walk under the archway, leaving the Tourist Office on your left. In the village you’ll find several information boards. Look for the path on the left and visit the Tour du Bec behind the Town Hall before retracing your steps along this street. Cross the square, staying on the same street. A little further on, turn right onto Rue du Château opposite the chapel of the Viscounts of Macon. You’ll arrive in front of Jean Papon’s birthplace. Then head left and immediately right, towards the church, and walk round it, keeping it on your left.

(2) At the foot of the keep, enjoy the view of La Pacaudière. Climb to the top of the keep for a panoramic view of the Roanne plain. Once back down, continue round the church, keeping it on your left, until you reach a small stone staircase. Take this staircase down to the right. At the bottom of the steps, turn right, then take Rue de la Poterne on your left. Follow this road down to Rue de la Grande Charrière. Turn left and walk a few metres uphill; you’ll see the sundial on your right. Head back down towards Rue de la Poterne, turn left onto it, heading towards the wash house as you leave the village.

(3) At the crossroads, carry on opposite the washhouse along the Chemin du Bas Bourg; ignore the road on the left. Head down towards a bridge that passes under the railway line. After this bridge, turn left towards the Tafret, onto the Chemin du 20 Mars 1971, and head uphill. You’ll pass some beehives on your left. Look out for the memorial stone on your left commemorating the Crozet accident, then take the Chemin de Tafret straight ahead.
Follow this path until you reach a descent; at the bottom, turn left onto Rue des Ceps, then take the^first right onto Rue des Vignes. Next, take the^first left onto Rue Antoinette Grimaud. Walk downhill until you reach a ‘give way’ sign, then take the sharp right-hand bend onto Rue de la Pêcherie. You will arrive in front of the church.

(4) Carry on straight ahead; you’ll see the turret and the roof of the Petit Louvre ahead of you. Cross Route de Crozet and you’ll arrive at the village square, in front of the Petit Louvre. Walk across the square, leaving the well on your left, and at the far end take the street that slopes down to the right towards the Tourzy Chapel. Walk down to the La Pacaudière washhouse, then continue straight on, heading uphill to the cemetery wall.

(5) Ignore the street on your left leading to the chapel; carry straight on, following the cemetery wall on your left. When you reach the corner of the cemetery, turn right onto the Chemin de la Frairie. Ignore the path on your left and carry straight on until you reach the playground and your starting point (S/E).

You can park at La Frairie, next to the children’s playground.

The climb up to Le Crozet via the ‘chemin de la grimpette’ is steep and features a short damp section, but it’s easy to get past.

You’ll find refreshments in Le Crozet or in the village of La Pacaudière. Feel free to book your lunch or dinner at the Auberge du Vieux Crozet.

Watch a video of this walk here: https://www.relive.cc/view/v1OwQMDXPXq

Take a leisurely stroll through Le Crozet and discover its history by reading the information boards. There is a museum (check opening days and times).

Climb up to the Donjon du Crozet (2) for a magnificent view of the Roannais plain (orientation boards at the top).
Inside the keep, there’s a small exhibition featuring period newspapers covering the “Crozet accident” in 1971.

Don’t miss the sundial.
At (3), note that there used to be a hill here with a long railway tunnel. Everything had to be cleared away and excavated following a collision between two trains in the tunnel.

In La Pacaudière, take a step back to get a better view of the roof of the Petit Louvre