Stone and earth heritage of Saint-Chef

Park in the car park of the village hall, at the bottom of the village, in the Môles district.
This route is not signposted, so we recommend using the Visorando app (or a hiking GPS).

(S/E) Take the Route de Trieux, heading north, for about 500 metres until you reach the bridge over the Ruisseau de Ver.

(1) Just before the bridge, take the path on the left that runs alongside the stream. Cross the D54, leaving the bridge on your right, and continue along the same path for about 200 m until you reach the three-way junction. Take the path on the right, which runs alongside the stream, until you reach the crossroads near the bridge, with the hamlet of Chamont in view.

(2) Cross the bridge and continue along the path through the fields until you reach Chemin des Rapines (tarmac road). Take this road on the left and continue to the junction with the Chamont road. See below for nearby attractions.

(3) Leave the return route on your left and continue straight ahead for about 100 metres on Chemin du Moulin until you reach the junction with Route de Chamont, at number 2105.

(4) Continue to the left. Leave Chamont, pass in front of Chamont church, ignore a dead end on the right and Chemin du Moulin de Cecillon on the left, and continue to the next junction . Notice several rows of palisades along the side of the road, some well hidden under the vegetation.

(5) Turn right onto Chemin de Salagnon. Continue for about 300 metres to the next crossroads at a place called Pierre Magnière.

(6) Continue on the right to the hamlet of Pierre Magnière via Chemin de Teysset. Note a row of palisades on the right, reused as garden supports. Continue to the PR® "Pierre Magnière" sign at the junction with the Vie de Teysset lane.

(7) Turn back to the previous crossroads.

(6) Leave Chemin de Salignon and continue along Chemin de Teysset, slightly to the right, to join the main road (D54) at the stop sign.

(8) Cross the Route de Chamont (take care) to reach the greenway. Take it on the left and continue along this greenway. After a 90° right turn, then a left turn, the path makes a wide curve to the right and joins Chemin du Moulin Cécillon.

(9) Cross it and take the dirt track opposite. Continue along this shaded path to Moulin Couilloud, at the junction with Chemin du Moulin (tarmac road). Turn left, after a bend to the right, then another to the left, to return to the junction with Chemin des Rapines that you came across on the way there.

(3) Turn left and retrace your steps to the junction with the Chamont road.

(4) Turn right and cross the hamlet of Chamont, following the main road (D54). See below for the many points of interest along this route.
When you reach Le Mollard, on the outskirts of Chamond, in a right-hand bend in the road, leave Chemin de la Goutelle on your left and continue for a few dozen metres until you reach the junction marked by a bus shelter on your left.

(10) Turn left, heading east towards Trieux, along the Route des Vignes, until you reach the crossroads at a place called "Les Montées".

(11) Leave the Route des Vignes and turn left onto the Trieux crossing. Ignore the two roads on the right and continue straight ahead on the Trieux crossing. You will reach a Y-junction at a place called Les Terres Noires.
As you cross the hamlet, you can see several rows of palisades and adobe buildings that are characteristic of rural architecture.

(12) Leave the Mont de Trieux path on your left and continue right along the Trieux crossing until you reach the Route des Vignes at the last house. Continue along this road for about 200 metres until you reach the large building on the right, the Maison Rojon.
The building on the corner of the road is a former silkworm farm. Also note, to the north of this building, a long adobe wall, the remains of the fence of a wealthy property.

(13) Just after this, at the crossroads, turn right onto Chemin de Chantarot and follow it for about 1 km. Keep heading south-southwest until you reach the intersection with the greenway.

(14) Follow the greenway to the right. It bends to the left and joins the line of palisades. Follow the line to the first houses. This line, consisting of more than 300 palisades, is the most important remnant of palisades in the commune of Saint-Chef.
After the wide left turn, reach the car park via the path on the right (S/E).

Shaded picnic area at the top of the village, opposite the Marchil car park (small roundabout 200 metres after the abbey church). Food available at the rustic tavern in the Chapelle district (booking recommended).

Places to visit
- Historic centre of Saint-Chef, abbey church, 12th-century frescoes: guided tours only, enquire at the tourist office.
- Museum (local heritage, history of rammed earth, vineyards, local figures including F. Dard.
- The castle district: Teyssier de Savy Castle is open to visitors, information available from the tourist office.
- The medieval garden and arboretum.
- Frédéric Dard's tomb. Geluck's cat statue (tribute to F. Dard).

Local cuisine
- Local beer to enjoy at the pub (Cask House) on the town hall square.
- Local farmers' market on Friday mornings and afternoons, Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings.
- Balmes Dauphinoises wines, available from producers or at the local farmers' market.

(3) From this point, the route runs alongside rows of palisades (remnants of old stone fences). There are 1,200 of them left in the commune. This route allows you to discover 800 of them, including 300 in a single batch at the end of the route. It is difficult to list them all, so we leave it up to the hiker to discover them. The route also passes close to numerous buildings made of rammed earth (pisé). Some are still very well preserved. Others have unfortunately been poorly restored (plastered or concrete used). We will only mention the most significant ones here.

(4) On this crossing of Chamont, don't miss the Château de Chamont and several rows of palisades, including a significant one adjacent to the château on its right. Be sure to go to the end of this cul-de-sac, which leads to an old bread oven.