The village of character Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, located on the Jacques Cluny / Le-Puy-en-Velay route, overlooks the Loire and offers exceptional views. It invites you through its alleys to discover its cultural and heritage treasures in the chorus of its history and its monuments: old medieval keep and castle walls, house of the sundial, church housing a painting of Saint-Jacques le Majeur dating from the XNUMXth century.e century. The village also has several craftsmen who like to share their passion through events and workshops.

Balade au cœur de Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
Stroll in the heart of Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire © Max / Les Zed / RT

This remarkable village was born from the union of two municipalities: Saint-Jean-le-Puy and Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire. The town is therefore organized around two centers of life: the town of Saint-Maurice with a medieval character, nestled on a promontory overlooking the Loire and the town of Saint-Jean occupying a less steep area.

This picturesque village, located 15 kilometers from the town of Roanne, has a keep overlooking the lake of the Villerest reservoir. It allows to have a magnificent belvedere on the longest river in France, the Loire. One of the major tourist sites of Roannais and the North of the Loire department.

Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire is a key step in Saint-Jacques de Compostela on the course relaying Cluny to Puy-en-Velay. In addition to the stage gîte and its four beds, guest rooms and private lodges dot the village. Who has never dreamed of sleeping in the heart of an exceptional village described as a unique setting?

Vue aérienne de Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
Aerial view of Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire © Guillaume Masseron / RT

Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, a multifaceted village

Maritime, land or air, Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire has many faces. From the Loire, the castle and its silhouette stand out like a guardian of the river. From the air, Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire appears like a cape or an end of the world... And for lovers of walks, mystical and mysterious and learning, there are the guided tours of the village. Follow them thanks to the village guides and discover the history of this place thanks in particular to the friends of Saint-Jean association. The guides will be the moon and the setting sun which will drape the village in its sleep.

Leo le petit marinier

Léo, the little sailor or a family discovery

For a weekend or during the holidays, the course of the little sailor will delight families. This puzzle game offers a fun visit of the village with a game booklet of activities and anecdotes. With family, school or friends, an original way to discover the heritage while having fun. Regardless of the final results, the opinions are unanimous, the children love to wander around the village and conduct the investigation.

Capucine et coline

The interactive game, Baludik: Crafts in Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire

Loire Story offers you a new puzzle game about the village. A game in the form of a free application to download to your smartphone and which will allow you to walk 1,5 kilometers.
Capucine and Coline need you to meet the craftsmen and recover a symbol that characterizes them in order to create this fresco which will be presented at the party.
Through your epic, you will discover Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, its rich heritage and its exceptional panorama on the river!

The essentials of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire

  • Le XNUMXth dungeone century : accessible by a spiral staircase, it offers a panoramic view
  • La Serpentine door
  • THEChurch of Saint-Maurice : Romanesque-style church with its chancel covered with frescoes dating from the end of the XNUMXth centurye century, houses an equestrian statue of Saint-Maurice Roman legionary holding a standard marked with a cross. A XNUMXth frescoe century representing Saint-Jacques dressed as a pilgrim of Compostela is also present
  • La Place du Guet and its view below on the longest river in France, the Loire
  • The cure, former presbytery transformed into a cultural center with the workshops of the craftsmen and the Nursery of the Crafts.
  • La sundial house : old notarial house which has a lot of charm
  • Le Mure Chantois manor : Birthplace of Jeanne de la Mure who was the founder of the Roanne hospital. The mansion also served as a school and then as a town hall ...
Tour et vue sur la Loire à Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
Tower and view of the Loire in Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire © Guillaume Masseron / RT

DID YOU KNOW ?

Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire is the longest town name in the Loire department. The inhabitants are called the Jeanmauriçois and the Jeanmauriçoises.

Une ruelle de Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
An alley in Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire © Trekking et Voyage


The history of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire

The church of Saint-Maurice has a choir entirely covered with frescoes classified from the XNUMXth centurye century, and, in the embrasure of a window on the south wall of the building, another painting (from the XNUMXthe century) which represents Saint-Jacques and attests that Saint-Maurice was on the way to Compostela.
The XNUMXth bell towere century dominates the church of Saint-Jean, rebuilt around 1870. The only witness of the Benedictine priory to which it belonged and which was dismantled during the Revolution.
The XVIe century saw the construction of the Maison du Cadran Solaire and that of La Mure (classified). The latter is remarkable for its door with a carved lintel, the delicate sculptures of its staircase tower and the monumental fireplace in the marriage hall, testifying to the time when the building was annexed town hall.


Joeuvres: a site inhabited since prehistoric times?

On the right bank of the Loire, Joeuvres is a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire. On this site inhabited since prehistoric times, a Celtic oppidum was built. He was searched several times.
In 1911, Joseph Déchelette collected two bronze statuettes there, dated 1er century BC, depicting a horse and a boar. These two pieces are visible at the Joseph Déchelette museum in Roanne. These discoveries indicate the presence of a bronze workshop in Joeuvres. In 1958, during an excavation campaign, directed by Mr. Périchon, shards of amphorae of the “Ionian” and “Phocaean” type were brought to light: they provide further proof that there was a circulation of products. from the Mediterranean via the Rhône valley, the Ardèche valley and the upper course of the Loire.

Vue aérienne de Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
Aerial view of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire © Clo & Clem / RT

La Cure, Crafts Department

La Cure, Crafts Department or Tourist Information Point but also a store of local products and arts and crafts also offers exhibitions and cultural events with a view to access to culture for all.

Several craftsmen are installed in the village and receive visitors in their workshop-shop such as the Pottery of the Cure.

Vue sur le village de Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
View of the village of Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire © Evelyne Deveaux

Diary

  • Loire in color - Pentecost weekend

Easels invade the streets. Visitors linger strolling through the lively alleys and admire the work of painters. A wide range of techniques is represented: watercolor, painting with an oil knife, acrylic, ink, pastel… on supports ranging from the classic canvas to more unusual supports.
Street shows and entertainment punctuate these two days of festivities: invite your curiosity, open your eyes and ears to enjoy the shows on offer: a festive atmosphere where music, juggling, aerobatics, acrobatics, poetry, burlesque and offbeat fantasy will come together . Find out more

  • The Biennial of Creative Jewelers - November

Are you more of a ruby ​​or emerald? Every 2 years, artisan jewelers present the fruit of their labor for a weekend. An event that puts the spotlight on unique pieces made entirely by hand by talented designers! Conferences, meetings, workshops and exhibitions are also on the program. Find out more

TOURIST INFORMATION

Character Village - Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
The town
42155 Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire

04 77 62 96 84

Website

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L'avis de Marion

Marion's opinion

My favorite village of character in Loire! Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire has a crazy charm. The village crossed by the way of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle will seduce you with in particular its tower. If you dare to climb the 85 steps, the reward will be at the meeting point with a 360-degree view. Its charm is also due to its location on the banks of the Loire. A village to take your time ...

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