Parking
All year.
Subject to snow conditions.
The path winds through the mountain moors where a pasture has been put back in place to end in the heart of the bog. Panels and an orientation table help you decipher the landscapes and this environment, which is both rich and fragile.
To the east of the village of Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs, the Verrerie plateau presents rare plant species, some of which date back to the Ice Age. This preserved and rich nature is, for many species, an exceptional habitat.
This plateau is characterized by typical mountain heathlands iridescent with pink hues at the end of summer, but also by the presence of a peat bog (zone of accumulation of organic matter), living environment of the rare viviparous lizard or of a small carnivorous plant, the Round-leaved Drosera.
Since 2011, a summer pasture has been put in place on this protected natural site with herds grazing from May to October. The site remains accessible to all non-motorized hikers, but a few rules must be observed, such as adapting your behavior to the animals present (cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) while respecting their tranquility, or closing the park gates.
The interpretive signage for natural environments will help you better understand why this plateau is a unique and preserved natural heritage.
The wooden footbridge, fitted out on the plateau, will allow all visitors to discover the peat bog and amazing landscapes. From the orientation table, near the Roc du Vacher, the view is breathtaking on the plain of Roanne, the Alps and the chain of Puys but also on the Loire valley, the plain of Forez and the mountains of Lyonnais. If the good weather is with you, you can even catch a glimpse of the Mont Blanc massif.
The plateau bears the name of Verrerie in reference to the glassmakers who came to settle in Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs in the XNUMXth century because the region had everything they needed: silica to make glass and forests. to power the ovens. The activity of glassmakers flourished until the Revolution.
This site is protected at European level (registered in the network of Natura 2000 sites) and is labeled by the Loire Department, Departmental Sensitive Natural Area (ENS).
Ranking & labels
- Circuits of France_POI
- Outside
- State health protocols
- Benevolent tourism - economic impact 3
- Benevolent tourism - social impact 2
- Benevolent tourism - preservation of the environment 2
Visit
Visit languages
- Français
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours permanently
Group visits services
- Unguided group tours permanently
- Guided group tours on request
Opening
| From January 01 to December 31, 2024 | |
| Monday | Open |
| Tuesday | Open |
| Wednesday | Open |
| Thursday | Open |
| Friday | Open |
| Saturday | Open |
| Sunday | Open |
Prices
Free
Free access.
Services
Equipments
- Parking
- Free parking
- Coach parking
- Theme trail
Services
- Pet Friendly
- Theme visit
Accessibility
Adapted tourism
- Not wheelchair accessible
