For a weekend, we walked on foot on the legendary GR 3 “source & gorges of the Loire” path, the oldest GR in France! Access is super easy by train and allows for very personalized itineraries. Follow us on our journey, we take you on our walking adventure on the GR3 between Retournac and Confolent (Beauzac).
- Stage 1: from Retournac to Confolent on the right bank of the Loire.
- Stage 2: from Confolent to Retournac via Beauzac on the left bank of the Loire.
From Retournac station to Confolent (Beauzac)
- Take the train from Lyon, Saint-Etienne or Puy-en-Velay and get off at Retournac station.
- Take the GR 302 on the right bank of the river (red and white markings) and walk from hamlet to hamlet until the bridge over the Loire at Vaures (Beauzac).
- Continue in the countryside towards Pont de Lignon.
- From there, follow the connection to Confolent and its “very small station”!
- Overnight at the Séquoia lodge which always provides a good place to stay warm for our hiker friends.
Possibility of accommodation:
Stopover gîte / stay
Hotel restaurant
From Confolent to Retournac via the left bank
- The next day, walk along the left bank. The connection to pick up the GR 3 at a place called Riou is via the departmental road 461 on foot for approximately 1.5 km.
- You will go around the Raide Mont to arrive at Bransac.
- From there you will walk along the banks of the Loire to Brenas.
- The path moves away from the Loire again to climb the hillsides before reaching Saint-Ignac then Retournac.
To see on the way
Download our ideas for stays on the GR3 “source & Gorges de la Loire”
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