Character Village - Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire

The town is organized around two centers of life: the medieval town of Saint-Maurice, nestled on a promontory overlooking the Loire and the town of Saint-Jean occupying a less steep territory.

The village is picturesque, with its keep dominating the lake of the Villerest reservoir. It is frequented regularly by the Roannais. It is one of the major tourist sites in the north of the Loire department.

The church of Saint-Maurice has a choir entirely covered with classified frescoes from the XNUMXth century, and, in the embrasure of a window on the south wall of the building, another painting (also from the XNUMXth century) which represents Saint-Maurice. Jacques and certifies that Saint-Maurice was on the way to Compostela.

The church of Saint-Jean, rebuilt around 1870, is dominated by a XNUMXth century porch bell tower, the only witness to the Benedictine priory to which it belonged and which was dismantled during the Revolution.

The XNUMXth century saw the construction of the Cadran Solaire manor and that of La Mure (listed). 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.

Although Joeuvres is on the right bank of the Loire, this hamlet is part of the commune of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice. This site has been inhabited since prehistoric times (flint tools or pebbles from the Mousterian era have been found there - 60 years) became a Celtic oppidum before becoming a Gallo-Roman oppidum. It was searched several times.

In 1911, Joseph Déchelette collected two bronze statuettes (from the 1st century BC) representing a horse and a boar, the originals of which can be seen at the Roanne Museum. As two fragments of crucibles bearing traces of copper were found on site, we can say that there was a bronze workshop in Joeuvres. In 1958, during an excavation campaign (directed by M. Périchon), shards of the "Ionian" and "Phocaean" type were brought to light: they provide additional proof that there was a circulation of products since the Mediterranean via the Rhône valley, the Ardèche valley and the upper course of the Loire.

Several craftsmen are based in the village and welcome you to their boutique workshop by appointment:
- Céline Maringue – Ceramic
- Deguer leather goods – Leather goods
- A touch of craftsmanship – Upholstery
- The red donkey – Metalwork
- Sandrine Boget – Violin making
- La Cure pottery – Ceramics
- Dungeon & Pencils – Screen printing
- Oppidum jewelry – Jewelry store

La Cure, Pôle Métiers d'Art is a tourist information point and a shop selling local products. It is also a Saint Jacques de Compostela stopover lodge, an exhibition hall and arts and crafts gallery, cultural activities are offered with a view to access to culture for all (program on request).

Ranking & labels

• On the way to Santiago de Compostela
• Guide The Backpacker
• Vineyards and Discoveries Label
• Benevolent tourism - economic impact 2
• Benevolent tourism - social impact 3
• Benevolent tourism - preservation of the environment 2

• Average duration of the individual visit: 90 min
• Groups welcome up to 60 people.

Customers

• hikers
• Pilgrims
• Bikers
• Cyclists
• Groups welcome

Individual visit services

• Unguided individual tours permanently

Group visits services

• Unguided group tours permanently
• Guided group tours on request

Free

Guided tours available for a fee:
€3 per person and in groups only.
Visits adapted for the visually impaired and blind.

Free access. Guided tours available for a fee:
€3 per person and in groups only.
Visits adapted for the visually impaired and blind.

Equipments

• Parking
• Coach parking

Services

• Pet Friendly
• Guided tours