Attractions and Places To See around Malvalette - Top 20

Malvalette is situated on the left bank of the Loire River, offering access to scenic paths along the Loire Gorges. You can enjoy breathtaking views along the Path along the Loire River. The area is also near the Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park, providing a tranquil, rural setting for nature lovers.

Yes, a notable structure is the Aurec-sur-Loire Himalayan footbridge, located approximately 3.7 km from Malvalette. This 110-meter long pedestrian and cycling bridge spans the Loire River, utilizing the pillars of a former bridge from 1892, connecting the town center to Aurec-plage. Another historical bridge is the Pont du Diable (Devil's Bridge) in St Marcellin en Forez, classified as a historical monument since 1921.

Beyond the local chapels like Mayol Chapel and Notre-Dame-des-Champs Chapel, you can visit the Roche-Cubertelle Dolmen, a historical site located near an old railway track. The nearby town of St Bonnet-le-Château offers a rich medieval heritage with its fortified town walls and 15th-16th century houses. Additionally, the village of Valprivas features a 10th-century castle guarding its entrance.

Yes, the Roche-Cubertelle Dolmen is considered family-friendly and is located near a mountain bike path, making it suitable for an outing. The Aurec-sur-Loire Himalayan footbridge is also great for families, offering a unique pedestrian and cycling experience to Aurec-plage, which is labeled “Aire Respirando” and has landscaped parks along the Loire.

The area around Malvalette is excellent for outdoor activities. You can enjoy gravel biking with routes like the 'Clear View loop from Saint-Maurice-en-Gourgois' or 'Loire Bridge – Lizeron Path loop from Fraisses - Unieux'. For mountain biking, explore trails such as 'Ponds Tour – Waterfall Crossing loop from Aurec'. Cycling enthusiasts can try the 'Wild Loire Bike Route: Aurec - Beauzac Loop'. Find more details on these activities in the Gravel biking around Malvalette, MTB Trails around Malvalette, and Cycling around Malvalette guides.

While Malvalette is small, nearby towns offer rich cultural experiences. Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, about 19 km away, is a 'Most Beautiful Village in France'. Saint-Etienne, 20 km away, has sites like Place Jean Jaures, a cathedral, and the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie. Further afield, La Chaise-Dieu (36 km) is famous for its abbey and Danse Macabre fresco, and Le Puy-en-Velay (41 km) is a significant pilgrimage town with the Hotel-Dieu St Jacques and Cathédrale Notre-Dame.

Yes, from St Bonnet-le-Château, you can climb up to the Collegiate Church to admire an exceptional panorama stretching from the Forez plain to the Massif Central, Pilat, and the Alps. In Valprivas, an orientation table provides a beautiful overview of the surrounding landscapes, including the Pilat massif, Forez, Velay, Cévennes, and Gévaudan mountains, and the Puys chain.

Visitors particularly appreciate the scenic beauty of the Path along the Loire River, noting the breathtaking views of the Loire Gorges. The unique experience of crossing the Aurec-sur-Loire Himalayan footbridge is also highly rated. The historical significance of sites like the Roche-Cubertelle Dolmen, often discovered by families on mountain bikes, adds to the charm of the area.

Yes, in the vicinity, you can find the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie in Saint-Etienne. Ambert, within the Livradois-Forez Natural Regional Park, hosts a museum devoted to the local 'fourme d'Ambert' cheese. There's also the Musée de la faux et de la vie ouvrière (Scythe and Working Life Museum) in Pont Salomon.

Malvalette officially became a commune in 1851. It has a rich history, with its village center featuring the Malvalette Church, built in 1818 and recently renovated. The 'La Grande Maison' at the village entrance, formerly a school run by nuns and later a holiday camp, has recently been acquired by the commune, reflecting its evolving history.

Yes, there are several notable gardens in the vicinity. These include 'Aux Gouttes De Veyrines' in Monistrol-sur-Loire (6.6 km away), 'Le Jardin De Curé - Ecomusée Des Monts Du Forez' in Usson En Forez (16.9 km away), and the 'Jardin De La Biodiversité' and 'Jardin Du Musée D'Art Et D'Industrie' in Saint-Etienne (around 19.5-20.7 km away).