Published 31 / 01 / 2023 Reading time: 4 min
Hills, forests and granite chaos sometimes form strange landscapes. They have always stirred the fertile imagination of the inhabitants. A land of stories, Roannais is full of tales and legends that have brought these mysterious places to life. Here is my selection of sites inspiring tales and legends…
The tales and legends of the Monts de la Madeleine
Among the oldest forest massifs in Europe, the massif of the Monts de la Madeleine dominates the Roannais under these inaccessible and distant airs. When you walk in this natural space, a certain mystery emanates from the surrounding landscapes.
I offer you my Top 3 of the mysteries of the Monts de la Madeleine straight out of the "Grimoire des Monts de la Madeleine", perfect road book with Gaston Frenegan as a companion of discovery!
1. Turtle Megalith
The massif hides some granite chaos including stones with legends or druidic stones. The most impressive and the most curious remains for me” the head of the turtle in Saint-Romain-d'Urfé, a megalith with many beliefs.
2. The church of Ambierle
The legend of Montenaud tells that the Fayolle fairies, nieces of the devil, on the orders of Saint-Martin, built the church of Ambierle in 3 days!
Saint-Martin has also had little gargoyle demons freeze on the church as a tribute to this work.
3. Lespinasse Forest
In this natural space of nearly 500 hectares, we remain attentive to observe the wild fauna and flora. In this forest, the big oaks, the bodies of water play with a sometimes supernatural atmosphere. I recommend the " Storytelling Walks », organized several times a year, to add a touch of escape and imagination to the visit of the premises.
The Loire gorges in Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
The Loire is an integral part of our territory. At Villerest Lake or at the edge of Loire gorges, it is always good to walk around. By taking the hiking trail the Francillon loop », we discover the landscape through a legend, that of « the drop of the Ourgon ».
It is said that an ogre, living in a "drop" between Saint-Maurice and Villerest, attracted sailors and fishermen to his lair to offer them a sumptuous but fatal meal...
The inhabitants of Saint-Maurice have often heard feasting in the gorges but have also seen that fishermen have disappeared...
Take the "risk" of crossing these lands to discover the magnificent landscapes of the gorges of this beautiful wild river but do not accept any invitation on your way...
The Priory of Apple Trees
Majestic and imposing, the Priory of Pommiers has stood the test of time. According to the legend of Prève, the foundation of the priory took place around the year 1030. The Count of Forez gave as a retreat to his daughter, having made a vow of chastity, the castle of Pommiers. A false rumor about Préve's romantic destiny circulated and earned him the dishonor of his family. She was killed by her brothers. But this crime and Prève's innocence did not remain unknown. It is said that many miracles, in reparation to his outraged memory, took place in the castle which became thanks to this a Benedictine priory.
Today, this priory reveals itself to the visit for a journey full of stories...
![]()
![Balade au sein du cloître]()
Walk in the cloister © Madame Oreille / RT ![]()
Saint-Alban-les-Eaux
Pretty little village in the Roannaise coast in the middle of the vines. We cannot speak of village of Saint-Alban-les-Eaux without mentioning its ancient sources. It is said that St. Alban, the first martyr of the faith in England, when he was led to his execution, caused a miraculous and abundant source to gush out on his way. This source quickly had the reputation of curing the sick.
Today, Saint-Alban water, with recognized qualities, is bottled and sold throughout France.
These places tell you a story, a legend and are today small treasures of our territory. If you are also fond of these legendary and imaginary stories, I recommend Philippe Marconnet's book "Stories and legends of Roannais".
Let yourself be told the most beautiful stories of Roannais…
