Bains: Chapels, Crosses and Volcanic Landscapes

Bains is dominated by Mont Devès, whose summit reaches 1,423 metres. This gives you a way to focus on the themes that interest you most during your stay.

Chapels and local history

Saint-Roch Chapel is first mentioned in 1213 in a document from the Hôtel-Dieu; it also appears in a Templar archive in 1217. It was altered several times during the 15th, 16th and 20th centuries. Woodwork dating from 1935 surrounds the choir. The chapel lies on the Way of St. James at an altitude of about 1,077 metres, linking its architectural history with the pilgrimage route.

The chapel can be visited freely at any time, either individually or in groups. Check locally before your trip to confirm access. This will help you plan your visit in line with the actual conditions on site.

The Church of Sainte-Foy also tells the story of several building phases. It was built in the 11th century from cut volcanic stone and extensively altered in the 14th and 19th centuries. Bains thus offers two distinct religious buildings, each with its own history: Saint-Roch Chapel, with its documented mentions and choir woodwork, and the Church of Sainte-Foy, with its early stone construction and later alterations.

Historic crosses and routes

A municipal heritage inventory lists at least 46 historic crosses in Bains. About 20 of them stand along paths, at crossroads, on streets and in squares. Their distribution makes them features of public spaces, not just of individual churches or chapels. When exploring local history, you can therefore look out for crosses at different points along the way as well as for religious buildings.

The GR65 hiking variant via Bains is of moderate difficulty, 9.7 kilometres long and listed as taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. For another way to experience the landscape, there is Les Écuries de Bélénos: this FFE-affiliated equestrian centre is set in natural surroundings on the Way of St. James. Lessons are available for adults and children, and the surrounding area offers good trails and varied landscapes.

La Descente de l’Oeuf is a circular route that is mostly downhill, with technical sections and sections that are easier to ride. The route is accessible to everyone. Check the current route file before setting out, as route information may be updated.

Volcanic landscapes and nature

Volcanic tuffs and scoria shape the landscape of Bains. Their colours range from red to yellow to green, giving the terrain a distinctive geological character. Together with Mont Devès, they create a landscape that differs markedly from the historic buildings and offers another perspective on the area.

Lac de l’Oeuf is a few kilometres from Montbonnet. The site covers two hectares and lies at an altitude of 1,200 metres. A peat bog forms there, and the site has high ecological value. The wetlands provide refuge for numerous resident bird species, including mallard, common snipe, tree pipit and red crossbill. The location is also important for planning your trip: the natural site is located near Montbonnet.

Discover more destinations: Montregard, Saint-Didier-En-Velay, Saint-Georges-D'aurac, Saint-Vénérand, Arlempdes, Lavaudieu, Connangles, Lorlanges.

Go to the regional travel overview: Haute-Loire.