Chalencon is a hamlet in the commune of Saint-André-de-Chalencon (Haute-Loire 43). The village is a small wonder of the Middle Ages faithfully preserved by its inhabitants. Chalencon, which overlooks the river spear from its rocky outcrop, takes you directly to medieval times, to the time of the powerful lords who administered the Velay. The chapel and its polychrome facade date from the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
Ideally located on the border of these 3 major regions: Velay, Forez and Languedoc, Chalencon was an important place of passage. Venture to Chalencon, one of the most beautiful historic sites in Haute-Loire and simply take the time to stroll!
Visit Chalencon in Haute-Loire
By car, the village is accessible from Saint-André-de-Chalencon (about 3 km away) or from the RD 24 which leads to Tiranges.
By Saint-André, a car park (compulsory) is located 500 m from the medieval village. Its single alley dotted with houses of the inhabitants leads to the chapel and the remains of the castle. A beautiful calade on your right will take you, below the village, to the mysterious devil's bridge and its legend.
From the RD 24 in Tiranges, access is only on foot, crossing the Devil's Bridge and taking the calade that goes up to the village.
On foot, go on PR 666 from the small village of Saint-André-Chalencon and you will discover, at your own pace, the Ance valley and the legendary charm of Chalencon.
Throughout the year, the charm is renewed and the village plays the perfect symbiosis with the surrounding wild nature. The colors harmonize with the seasons...
As a family, the “little wolves” will go in search of the many stones sculpted by a village craftsman (the sculptor Pogy) and will be told the legend of the Lord of Chalencon and the devil he managed to thwart.
On sunny days, want a bucolic and refreshing day: plan a picnic and dip your feet in the Ance river. On the way back, an ice cream break is a must at the bar – restaurant “le Saint-André” located in the town!
- Possible guided tours
- Groups on request
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Also to be discovered around Saint-André-de-Chalencon
I love this village which seems completely out of time! Each season, the charm is renewed, in an incredible harmony of colors and atmospheres. Whenever I have friends, I take them. The children like it a lot too. My advice: go for the day! Have a picnic on the banks of the Ance or have lunch at the restaurant in the village of Saint-André and continue your journey to the scree of the Bourianne...an unforgettable day!
On foot and by mountain bike around Chalencon
Borrow the walking routes et Moutain Biking : this is a great way to explore Chalencon. Along the way, you will discover the Ance valley, and enjoy views of Mont de la Madeleine and Les Sucs* surrounding. The small heritage - crosses, fountains, drinking troughs, bachas - present along your walk is a good storyteller of the history of the place. Continue the walk to the Bounery bridge, this Romanesque bridge and its single arch, located upstream of the Ance, is the little brother of the Devil's Bridge. From hamlet to hamlet, you will immerse yourself in the volcanic past of the surroundings of Chalencon.
Going to Montpré, the orientation table allows you to understand and name the chain of Sucs that stretches in front of you. Push your curiosity to Saint-Julien-d'Ance and its unusual scree of basalt stones more than a kilometer long, shaped over the centuries by erosion, frost and unstable ground, commonly called Bourianne scree.
Itineraries around Chalencon
