The Pont Marteau viaduct is 312 metres long and 50 metres high. It provides a clearly recognisable landmark for several hikes in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand. There is also a church, two châteaux and traces of a former railway connection, so the town can be explored from a variety of perspectives.
Hiking, from a short loop to a longer trail
The Sentier découverte du viaduc du Pont Marteau sur les traces du Tacot starts in the town and is an easy 7-kilometre loop. The Balade en Terre de Tisseurs is also an easy themed loop; it starts in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand and is 2 kilometres long. The 11-kilometre Sentier Les Hauts de Sainte-Colombe is longer and of moderate difficulty. The loop passes through patches of woodland and offers views of the viaduct and the Monts du Forez. This means there is a choice between shorter, easy routes and a longer, moderately challenging option. Trail conditions can vary depending on the season.
The Tacot connection refers to the former railway line between RĂ©gny and Saint-Just-en-Chevalet, which ran through Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand. The Sentier Le Pont Marteau also passes through patches of woodland and offers views of the viaduct. The different routes therefore have distinct focuses: some are easy to compare by length, while others highlight woodland sections and views.
Valleys, nature and the leisure centre
Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand lies on the edge of the Gand Valley and the Bernand Valley. Both streams rise in the surrounding hills, among cultivated land and forests. The natural and scenic areas also include the Collines boisées du seuil de Neulise, which cover 357 hectares.
The bat-themed trail winds through the landscape around Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand and follows a botanical discovery trail; the Pont Marteau is visible from several viewpoints. The town’s railway tunnel is part of the Natura 2000 site Site à Chiroptères des Monts du Matin. It was designated because of a significant population of the western barbastelle. Access may be restricted in sensitive habitats.
The leisure centre is close to the Pont Marteau. Its facilities include a picnic area, a children’s playground, a basketball court, dry toilets, a fitness trail and a pétanque court. This offers a different experience from the hiking trails: the listed leisure facilities are the focus here, while the routes explore the town and surrounding landscape.
The church, châteaux and architectural history
Much of the architectural heritage consists of stone buildings with numerous corbels made from the golden-coloured stone of Beaujolais. The history of the textile industry is also part of the town’s character: Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand contributed to its growth from the 17th century onwards, as it developed in the wider Lyon region.
The Église de Sainte-Colombe was demolished in 1686; its bell tower and choir were rebuilt in a style inspired by Gothic architecture. The choir windows and rose window were added in 1855 and 1857, and were made by a stained-glass artist from Troyes. This building history brings together different periods, and the individual works cannot be reduced to a single year.
The Château de Montcellier was built by the Counts of Forez in the 12th century, around 1200. Its ruins can be explored via a marked hiking trail from the village. The Château de Sainte Colombe was built in the 13th century and belonged to the de Sainte Colombe family for five centuries, who lived there. The château is visible from the D103 departmental road connecting Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand with Saint-Just-la-Pendue. Its layout forms an angle; it is flanked by two cylindrical towers and a square tower that originated as part of a medieval residential building.
The viaduct also tells the story of transport in the area: it was inaugurated in 1923 on the Régny–Balbigny–Vichy railway line. Together with the Tacot theme of the hiking trails, it offers another way to explore the town’s history.
Getting there by bus
Bus line TIL M200 connects Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand with Roanne. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable before your journey. Alongside its hiking trails and historic buildings, the town therefore also offers a listed connection to Roanne for visitors planning a stay.
Discover more destinations: Noailly, Bonson, La Grand-Croix, Saint-Pierre-De-BĹ“uf, Usson-En-Forez, Bussy-Albieux, Doizieux, Sury-Le-Comtal.
For the broader travel overview: Loire.
