Confused, you will be! The Via Sancti Martini is the only way of long itineraries crossing Europe from West to East and vice versa. This European cultural route allows you to cross the territory of Roanne, in the Loire department, over more than 80 kilometers. Its route crosses in particular the massif of the mountains of the Madeleine. The advantage of this route is the presence of stations: in Roanne, Vichy, or even in Saint-Jodard.
Punctuated by the diversity of the landscapes, at the same time, by the mountainous character but also by the softness of the plains. This course allows you to forget the constraints of time and to test yourself before leaving for the European adventure. This warm-up in a welcoming, warm and gourmet territory in no way spoils this discovery. Let yourself be seduced!
It takes around three months of walking to complete the whole thing, from Szombathély in Hungary to Tours in France. However, it is quite possible to choose just one serving. The Monts de la Madeleine respond to this opportunity.
Along the way, walkers find food and shelter, thanks to the presence of catering outlets and several accommodations, lodges and guest rooms, hotels and even campsites.
New 2023
The portion from Roanne to the Presle bridge in Bully via Parigny has become a variant of the Chemin de Saint-Martin.
The main path of the Via Sancti Martini from Roanne now takes the direction of Villerest, Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire and then joins Bully and the Presle bridge.
At the exit of Roanne and at the Presle bridge, the “main path” or “variant” is therefore indicated to walkers. Everyone will therefore be able to choose their route.
The different stages in Roannais
The Roannais offers 4 stages with an average of 20 kilometers per day to cover, from Saint-Georges-de-Baroilles to the Biefs via the town of Roanne.
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The green and citizen band
A green and citizen strip developed over 2500 kilometers in length and over 10 kilometers on both sides of the path with the aim of promoting soft tourism and citizenship.
This path symbolizes sharing. It allows hikers, thanks to its green and citizen strip, on the one hand to exchange with the locals. On the other hand, to discover the specificities that constitute their identity.
Through the latter, pilgrims and hikers will discover the identity of the regions crossed. For example, customs, know-how, local products will testify to this freedom.
The green and citizen band reveals, to those who tread this land, its identity through the friendly meeting with a local (winegrower, breeder ...), visits to exceptional natural sites, participation in highlights of the territory, the tasting of local delicacies ... But also the sweetness of meetings, culinary specialties, wide open spaces, ecological approaches, solidarity initiatives ...
![Arrivée dans le village de Saint-Haon-le-Châtel]()
Arrival in the village of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel © Clovis Huet / RT ![Forêt domaniale d'Ambierle]()
Ambierle state forest © Clovis Huet / RT
From station to station
The advantage of this route, on our territory, is the presence of stations: in Roanne, Vichy (Allier), or even in Saint-Jodard.
Indeed, you can make a portion of the path between two stations in just a few days of walking. Only thing to know, the markings are not all identical on the side of the Loire and the Allier.
![Balisage de la Via Sancti Martini sur la COPLER dans la Loire]()
Marking of the Via Sancti Martini © Clovis Huet ![En balade sur la Via Sancti Martini dans le département de la Loire]()
Strolling along the Via Sancti Martini © Clovis Huet
The wind that pulls on St. Martin's Day will pull until Palm Sunday.
The secrets of Via Sancti Martini
- Saint-Martin is the Patron Saint of the town of Ambierle where the Saint-Martin church was erected. The donkey of Saint Martin has also become the emblem of Ambierle and the nickname of its inhabitants.
- Saint-Martin and more precisely, the summer of Saint-Martin, from November 8 to 11, is a pleasant period to travel this path because there is often a period of warmth at this time.
- At each chapel door pushed on this route, remember that the name of these religious buildings is linked to Saint-Martin. Saint Martin symbolizes sharing. In Amiens, he shared his “chape” (in Latin capa), or his coat, with a poor man. This coat was carefully preserved in a sanctuary. It therefore took the name cappella which became the word “chapel”.
DID YOU KNOW ?
Horses and donkeys were Martin's companions throughout his life. First, when he was a Roman soldier, then a monk and bishop afterwards. Take a photo with one of them that you will meet on the way. Many of them enjoy the pastures of the Madeleine and Roannais mountains !! Do not hesitate to post your photo on Instagram: #roanne !
Key figures on the Roannais
- 10 municipalities crossed,
- De 300 meters over 1000 meters above sea level,
- 5 points to stamp their European passport.
![Spot de la Madone à Ambierle sur le chemin de la Via Sancti Martini]()
Madonna spot in Ambierle © CLovis Huet / RT ![Chapelle de Boisy à Pouilly-les-Nonains sur la Via Sancti Martini]()
Chapel of Boisy in Pouilly-les-Nonains © CLovis Huet / RT
The history of the path
This great hike labeled "Cultural Route of Europe", just like Saint-Jacques de Compostela is the only one to move from East to West over 2500 kilometers. This route was inaugurated in 2016, by the Center Culturel Européen Saint-Martin de Tours, on the occasion of the 1700e anniversary of Saint-Martin.
She rereads the birthplace of Saint-Martin, “Szombathély” in Hungary to “Tours”, the city where his tomb is located. To reach France, he thus passes through Slovenia and Italy.
This path symbolizes sharing. It allows hikers, thanks to its green and citizen strip on the one hand, to interact with the locals of each territory crossed. On the other hand, to discover the specificities that constitute their identity.
Key dates
- En 316 after Jesus Christ, birth of Martin
- En 2015, the route on the Madeleine mountains begins to be developed
- Each 11 November, feast of Saint-Martin, patron of the town of Ambierle
Marion's opinion
The Via Sancti Martini, one of the oldest pilgrimages in Western Christianity. Less known than the route to Santiago de Compostela, due to its younger age, it nevertheless has many attractions for hikers eager for calm and serenity.
I opt for a 2-day itinerant hike from Châtel Montagne in the department of Allier in the village of Ambierle in the Roannais… And who knows maybe that this will give me the motivation and the desire to make the pilgrimage of Saint-Martin in its entirety and to discover the roads of Italy, Slovenia and Hungary . Some sections are worthy but their beauty and views are grandiose!
