Pradelles: Medieval Lanes and Heritage
Accommodation in Pradelles
Pradelles combines the history of a former fortified town with religious architecture and routes through the Haut-Allier countryside. Medieval lanes, chapels, the Portail du Besset and the Eglise Saint-Pierre offer several historical perspectives on the town. There are also views of the Allier Valley and Lac de Naussac, as well as Vélorail rides along a former railway line. If you are looking for a hotel in Pradelles, these themes can help you decide whether to focus your stay on the town’s history or on excursions.
Lanes, Chapels and a Town Gate
The former fortified town has medieval lanes lined with houses built over several centuries. Pradelles is one of the villages classified as “Plus Beaux Villages de France.” In 2026, you can explore the historic town independently at any time; guided individual visits are available on request.
The Chapelle Notre-Dame is the surviving part of the former Hôpital Saint-Jacques, which welcomed pilgrims and sick people. The Chapelle Notre-Dame, including its vaulted passageway and entrance doors, has been partially listed as a historic monument since January 6, 1971. The Chapelle des pénitents de Pradelles was a chapel belonging to an independent brotherhood. After a fire in 1680, it was rebuilt and opened in 1696. Its west façade features a monumental stone surround; its portal was listed as a historic monument by decree of January 26, 1998. The chapels therefore reflect different historical connections: at Notre-Dame, the former care of pilgrims and sick people is part of the building’s history; at the Chapelle des pénitents, it is the independent brotherhood and the rebuilding.
The Portail du Besset was the southern gate of the fortified town and retains remnants of the drawbridge or portcullis, as well as the gate-closing mechanisms. The gate provided access to the Chemin de RĂ©gordane, which connected Le Puy-en-Velay with Saint-Gilles. Robert Louis Stevenson passed through the Portail du Besset in September 1878; this event is associated with the GR 70.
Church and Stained-Glass Windows
The Eglise Saint-Pierre is a Neo-Gothic replacement for an older Romanesque church. Its stained-glass windows were made by Charles Borie and restored by Emmanuel Barrois de Lavaudieu. Unlike the chapels, the focus here is on the replacement of an older church and the restoration of its windows. Pradelles is thus home to religious buildings with different histories: former use, a brotherhood, new construction and restoration.
Views, Walking Trails and VĂ©lorail
Pradelles lies above Lac de Naussac and offers views across the entire Haut-Allier Valley. The PR126 La croix de la Vié hiking route offers views of the Allier Valley and Lac de Naussac; it follows old paths lined with wayside crosses. The views over the valley from the town and those along a hiking route offer different perspectives on the landscape.
The VĂ©lorail de Pradelles offers several rides along a former railway line. The vehicles are available with optional electric assistance. The activities can therefore be distinguished by their specific features: on the PR126, the walking paths, wayside crosses and views of the valley and lake shape the excursion; on the VĂ©lorail, the former railway line and optional electric assistance are key features. These aspects of the town and landscape give you different points of reference when planning your stay.
Discover more destinations: Bellevue-La-Montagne, Saint-Georges-D'aurac, Saint-Hilaire, Saint-Just-Malmont, Rauret, Cerzat, Chavaniac-Lafayette, Saint-Pal-De-Chalencon
For the main travel overview: Haute-Loire.
