Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds is a town in the Loire region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, northeast of Saint-Étienne which it borders.
Its territory of about 12 km² ranges from 418 to 663 meters, on the borders of Pays de Jarez and Forez, both natural and historical areas.
Already occupied in ancient times (Gallo-Roman kilns have been unearthed) Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds first appeared in the Middle Ages as an enclave dependent chapter of Lyon in the county of Forez.
However, it was in the nineteenth century that the town knows a metamorphosis with the operation of the coal basin of the Loire and the development of the steel industry. The initial area of 28 km² is fragmented by the creation of new towns and the landscape is impacted (landmine disbursements suburban housing).
With now more than 6700 inhabitants, the city began its economic transformation and a preserved forest setting on the slopes "is" dominant urban and industrial center. Having developed a cultural and leisure offer "natural" quality, not to mention its heritage Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds, less than fifteen minutes from St. Stephen's Center, worth a detour.
Religious, civil or industrial, the varied heritage can justify a stroll in the form of discovery.
This tour will begin with the altered several times parish church with Romanesque foundations remain of the twelfth century (choir and vaults). The essential, however, the architectural appearance evokes the Renaissance, and inside of the building include a large sheltered stone baptismal font and an altarpiece of the sixteenth century. The last major expansion project dates back to the last third of the eighteenth century. See then, northeast of the town, the foundations of the ancient castle of Nantas (on the old hospital site), and, a little further, the town of Fay on the slope "north" of mountain Nantas: we identify a group of houses are occupying the site of the former castle, which proved strategic in the Middle Ages, marking the boundary between the lands under influence and Lyon County Drill.
Another landmark, the Domaine Poyeton, near the Grand cemetery, a house that belonged to the beginning of the old regime to Jean Baraillon, Lord of Nantas and advisor Présidial Lyon. This is now an old farm composed of several buildings and stables. The first dates from about 1750. The second and third are the oldest and constituted a fortified house. Also on the site the remains of a chapel where the date of 1100 is still visible. The Black Madonna was sheltered there is now preserved in the church of Saint-Pierre Saint-Chamond.
Place finally the industrial heritage. Regarding the mines that affected the landscape, and whose last deposit ceased to be operated in 1968, their wastelands gradually redeveloped but still clearly distinguishes the great heap of Fay. Other sectors hosting craft areas.
Moreover, thirty hectares formerly owned psychiatric center transferred from Saint-Etienne have been converted into technology park dedicated to the biomedical, advanced mechanics, optics.
It completes this course with the House of Passementier. This site perpetuates the memory and the expertise of hundreds of people who in the early twentieth century were employed by the narrow fabrics industry. The specificity of this activity is that it was made at home (weaving) after which the workers are picked raw material to Saint Etienne. The museum in this House through documents and tools the lives of these artisans between the wars and the development of this very specific expertise. After renovation of places and redevelopment, the museum will be reopened as of September 2020. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Free or guided visit. Rates: 2 and 4 euros. Information +33 4 77 95 09 82.
For culture yet, the library of the city regularly offers workshops, events and exhibitions. Information at +33 4 77 30 04 32.
For athletes, the city manages the office facilities and equipment (gymnasiums, tennis courts, multi-actvities land) open to visitors can be attached to +33 4 77 95 19 75.
Finally, for fans of hiking (hiking or cycling), the municipality has set up various marked routes highlighting the heritage and planning environment that has also specificity lie on the watershed basins of water the Rhone and the Loire.
The different paths: heritage theme (7 km), theme "Sport and Nature" (7 km), theme "watershed" (9 km) and finally a mountain bike trail "Between Drill and Jarez" of 7.5 km. Maps and information +33 4 74 87 52 00 or from the information point of the House of Passementier.
