Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Roanne, France

On the Loire, Roanne is a former river port that has evolved into a notable tourist destination.

Roanne is predominantly recognized for two reasons: The archaeological museum, which features an Egyptology department that ranks among the finest in France.

Additionally, Roanne is esteemed for its culinary excellence, exemplified by the restaurant La Maison Troisgros, which has maintained three Michelin stars since 1968. The Loire contributes significantly to Roanne’s allure, having been dammed to create a large lake and a picturesque gorge where lush, vine-covered hills descend towards the water.

Let us explore the top attractions in Roanne:

1. Musée des Beaux-arts et d’Archéologie Joseph-Déchelette

Roanne’s municipal museum is prominent for its archaeology and decorative arts.

It boasts an impressive Egyptology collection, featuring funerary masks, steles, amulets, sarcophagi, and vases dating back to the 4th Dynasty, approximately 4,500 years ago.

Many of these artifacts were brought to France by the museum’s namesake, the archaeologist Joseph Déchelette.

Additionally, the museum houses the region’s most extensive collection of ceramics, comprising faience from Delft, majolica, and Italian tiles from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Roanne was once home to its own earthenware industry, which is also covered in the museum galleries.

2. Guided Tour of the Centre

Every Tuesday at 10:30 during July and August, a guide from the tourist office conducts tours around the town, highlighting the main sights and the stories that accompany them.

This is an excellent opportunity to discover details that you may otherwise overlook, such as the Gallo-Roman pottery kilns.

The tour also includes a visit to Château de Roanne, an 11th-century castle that now houses Roanne’s town hall and the tourist office.

Along the streets, visitors can admire medieval houses, including the Maison à Pans de Bois, a charming timber-framed structure recognized as a French historic monument.

3. Gorges de la Loire – Nord

Inspiration for leisurely walks can be easily found near Roanne: Following the Loire upstream for a few minutes leads to a breathtaking gorge characterized by gentle sloping walls, shaped by the Villerest Dam.

At this point, the river widens and flows through an enchanting mixture of Mediterranean and temperate landscapes, featuring meadows and slopes dotted with vineyards.

Adding a dramatic backdrop are the perched village of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice, elevated high above the river, and the romantic Château de La Roche, situated on an island in the river, which was created after the dam’s completion in the 20th century.

4. Train Touristique des Belvédères

For visitors exploring the gorge with younger family members, a mini train can enhance the experience, rather than hiking.

This seven-kilometre loop is designed to provide stunning panoramas from the hills surrounding the Loire.

The journey lasts just over an hour, accompanied by informative commentary.

The train runs from May to September, and during school holidays, there will also be balloon modellers, magicians, clowns, and musicians to entertain children.

5. Château de La Roche

This remarkable castle located within the Gorges de Loire opens its doors daily during the summer months.

While its appearance may be somewhat deceptive, as the castle was originally established in the 1200s, it underwent significant decline over the centuries.

It lay in ruins at the time of the dam’s construction, but during the 1990s, underwent a restoration process, adopting a new fairytale design and establishing a connection to the shore via a new bridge.

Inside, five exhibition rooms narrate the castle’s tumultuous history and are furnished in a medieval style.

Every Friday evening during the summer, visitors can enjoy a glass of wine while contemplating the stunning view from the terrace.

6. Les Halles Diderot

Roanne’s covered market is open every morning except Monday and offers a diverse array of goods, as one would expect from a town that is home to the acclaimed Maison Troisgros restaurant.

Les Halles Diderot provides a refined gastronomic experience, akin to the Paul Bocuse market in Lyon.

Many vendors are at the forefront of their respective fields, including chocolatier Pralus, fishmonger Mr. Chavrier, and cheese specialist Mr. Mons.

Three restaurants are situated within the market, and for a genuine culinary experience, visitors can enjoy freshly shucked oysters.

7. Port de Plaisance

Historically, Roanne’s river port was utilized for shipping coal, ceramics, cereals, and wood as far as Nantes on the Loire and to Paris via the canal system.

Previously, oak crafts, known as “cabanes,” with flat hulls were utilized for this purpose.

Since 1992, the port has transitioned to a popular mooring destination, renowned for its reasonable rates and friendly atmosphere.

Visitors can rent electric boats directly from the jetty here.

These boats accommodate up to seven people, and no license is required; during the summer, individuals can simply arrive and set out on a scenic journey along the canal connecting Roanne to Digoin, a distance of 70 kilometers to the north.

8. Roanne’s Chapels

Roanne is home to several churches, each more intriguing than the last as they decrease in size.

For instance, the Chapelle Saint-Michel, established in 1617 for a Jesuit college, showcases Italian Renaissance architecture.

The interior craftsmanship warrants closer examination, particularly the altar adorned with a polychrome marble mosaic, intricately carved wooden pulpit, and seats.

In response to a plague outbreak in Eastern France in 1628, Roanne’s sailors constructed the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas-du-Port near the water as an expression of gratitude for their survival.

Over the past 400 years, the chapel has served various purposes, functioning as a residence, grain storage facility, and even a postal service.

9. Lac de Villerest

Situated downstream from the Gorges de Loire and in closer proximity to Roanne, the lake serves as a retreat for the town’s residents during the summer months.

Like the gorge, Lac de Villerest is an artificial body of water created by the Villerest Dam.

Its shores are adorned with gently sloping hills featuring woodlands and pastures, farming hamlets, and recreational facilities that invite visitors to enjoy their surroundings.

The northern shore boasts a beach supervised by lifeguards during July and August, in addition to a mini-golf course, campsite, and playgrounds for children.

Additionally, a small port is available for embarking on a cruise boat journey to Château de La Roche.

10. Musée Alice Taverne d’Ambierle

A few kilometers west in the village of Ambierle lies a museum that holds the distinguished “Musée de France” label.

Alice Taverne was a 20th-century historian and ethnographer dedicated to preserving the folk traditions of her native region.

The artifacts she collected formed the foundation of the museum when it opened in 1952. The exhibits provide vignettes of local life between 1840 and 1950, including domestic interiors (both humble and grand), a lace-making workshop, cooperage, and a general store, among others.

Each display is rich in authentic historical details, including vintage signage, tableware, and food containers.

11. Charlieu Abbey

Situated 20 kilometers from Roanne, Charlieu is a destination you should consider for its remarkable Benedictine Abbey.

This abbey dates back to the 9th century, with the current architectural features stemming from the 1100s.

The north facade represents a pinnacle of late-Romanesque art, showcasing two portals intricately carved with impressive detail.

One tympanum depicts Jesus surrounded by the four evangelists, above a lintel featuring Mary and the twelve apostles.

On the complex grounds, visitors can explore a museum, a lapidary collection, the cloister, chapter house, and the Prior’s chapel.

12. Charlieu Village

Referred to as one of the “most beautiful detours in France,” Charlieu invites visitors to linger for a few extra hours.

It offers a picturesque setting for strolling, showcasing various historical periods displayed in medieval timber-framed homes, stone Renaissance mansions, and stately French Classical properties.

The area’s significance as a religious center is also represented at the Church of Saint-Philibert.

Inside, visitors can appreciate the choir stalls sculpted in the 1400s, adorned with delightful backrests featuring painted characters.

The Convent of the Cordeliers is a must-visit due to its cloister, whose sculpted capitals in the northern gallery symbolize the seven Virtues.

13. Charlieu’s Museums

To conclude your visit in Charlieu, there are two exceptional museums that delve into local trades and daily life throughout the years.

The first is the silk museum, which illuminates the silk spinning craft that has played a vital role in Charlieu since the 1700s.

This exhibition showcases the fabric manufacturing process for clothing and upholstery, while a shop offers the latest products from Charlieu’s artisans.

At the 18th-century former hospital, visitors can gain insight into historical healthcare practices in Charlieu.

The apothecary remains largely untouched since the hospital’s closure, retaining its earthenware medicine pots displayed in wooden cabinets.

14. Wine Trips

The Côte-Roannaise comprises a lengthy stretch of terraced vineyards extending 20 kilometers from north to south.

Despite its length, it encompasses a modest area of just over 200 hectares, home to approximately 30 winemakers.

Approximately 90% of the wine produced here is red, celebrated for its fruity notes and undertones of leather and spices.

This wine complements Roanne’s rich culinary offerings exceptionally well.

The remaining 10% of production comprises a light and refreshing rosé, often enjoyed as an aperitif.

If you are intrigued by this, numerous domains in the area offer immersive tours of their vineyards, showcasing relatively new boutique operations.

15. Local Delicacies

The Praluline was conceived by acclaimed Roanne chocolatier Auguste Praus in 1955. This delightful brioche is filled with luscious pink pralines, a blend of candied almonds and hazelnuts.

A culinary exploration of the region should include a visit to Mons Dairy, renowned for producing nearly 200 varieties of cheese.

The highlight of the visit is witnessing the cheese aging process, conducted underground in the former Collonge railway tunnel.

A classic dish from this part of France is the andouille, a specialty from nearby Charlieu, which is a tripe sausage made from pork, red wine, and spices.

This dish partners well with simple preparations, such as a gratin incorporating potatoes and onions.