Rich in historical heritage, Saint-Didier-en-Velay has retained a certain charm. Saint-Didier developed around a castle among the most powerful of Velay, built from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century, it counted famous troubadours and knights hospitallers. The village lived from leather crafts in the XNUMXth century.
In the XNUMXth century, Saint-Didier was to develop the silk industry, before becoming a mecca for ribbons and trimmings.
It is the ideal destination for lovers of history and medieval architecture of course, but also of the 19th century. Entering the historic heart, strolling through the old narrow cobbled streets is like stepping back in time.
Do not forget to pass under the arched door of the Toune. This leads to the main square, the main square from the end of the XNUMXth century, the place of markets and capital executions where some XNUMXth century residences remain, such as the Hôtel La Fayette where Alloues, the discoverer of the great American lakes, was born.
You can also discover:
- the Hotel de la Fressange fortified house of the XNUMXth century,
- the typical 16th century Maison du Bon Coin with its mullioned windows or the Maison Montmorency, a former 17th century inn,
- the church, remodeled many times over the centuries and with very curious capitals, it has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1954,
- a religious heritage made up of crosses and chapels (such as that of St Roch or those of the Penitents),
- La Halle, built in 1880 and restored in 2021,
- without forgetting the secret underground passages!
- Several 19th century mansions, testimonies of the town's rich industrial past in the field of trimmings.
Saint-Didier offers a large range of tourist accommodation, camping, bed and breakfast, gîtes, furnished accommodation and rooms for rent.
To discover in Saint-Didier-en-Velay:
