City of the Loire, at the doors of the Pilat Regional Nature Park, Saint-Chamond takes place between Lyon and Saint-Etienne, in the valley of Gier. It is located not far from Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds, between the mountains of Lyonnais and the Pilat massif.
Occupied since the Gallo-Roman era, the territory of Saint-Chamond developed in the Middle Ages, becoming the capital of Jarez and a very important seigniory of the region. Heavily affected by the plague epidemic of the first half of the seventeenth century, the town takes all its importance in the nineteenth century with the development of the Company of blast furnaces, forges and steel mills of the Navy and Railways.
Always very dynamic, Saint-Chamond offers a strong tourist activity, thanks to its rich architectural and historical heritage.
Listed as a Historical Monument, the Saint-Pierre church was built in the course of the 17th century in an Italian Renaissance style. Armored tombstones from 1622 to 1673, moved to the French Revolution, have now been replaced in disorder. It also reveals in its interior a 19th century organ classified as an historic monument.
Built in the second half of the 16th century and now classified as an historic monument, the Chanoines house has been remodeled over the centuries and according to the modes of the moment. On the south facade, we can admire a covered gallery of the fourteenth century, as well as large bays. It now hosts a restaurant.
Listed as a Historical Monument, the Hôtel-Dieu moved to its current location at the end of the 17th century. Restored in the nineteenth century, it has successively hosted the Labor Exchange, the Registry of Instance, the Prud'hommes council, a theater or associations. Since 2012, the building has been home to the Sports and Associative Animation Department.
Founded by Gabrielle de Gadagne, the convent of Minimes dates from the first half of the 17th century. Confiscated and sold under the French Revolution, the building also sees its 400 works looted and scattered throughout the country. After serving as a school, it has been fully restored to enhance what remains of the original buildings, like the cloister. The whole is today registered with the Historical Monuments.
Neoclassical style, the hotel Dugas de la Boissonny is also listed as an historic monument. Built in the sixteenth century, it consists of the main house, outbuildings, a garden, an orangery, a courtyard and a wall. Completely restored, it is now a private property.
Remnant of the industrial past of the city, the factories Gillet are today registered with the Historical Monuments. Built in the late nineteenth century, they represented the temple of the dyeing. Today they host a business incubator and an industrial heritage preservation association in the Gier valley.
While strolling in the commune, you will also be able to admire several mansions of great interest like those of Flachat, Guérin, Finaz and Chaland, or Richard-Chambovet and Pastry cook.
Do not miss to appreciate the castle of Jarez, or the Roman aqueduct of Gier.
Saint-Chamond also has five parks and gardens for a total of fifty hectares of green space.
