The greater Sainte-Étienne area offers a combination of natural beauty and celebration of its industrial heritage. Situated in the Loire region, the city offers lots of outdoor activities, several museums and historical monuments, and a number of exhibits highlighting the skill and history of local craftsmen. Once a centre of France's ribbon and braid-making industry, the city is now more famous for its production of bicycles.
Sainte-Étienne is not at a loss for outdoor activities. There are a large number of equestrian centres in the area around the city, including the Children's equestrian centre at La Grand'Croix and the Farnay centre, which offers horseback rides in the surrounding countryside. Rock climbers will be pleased to find the area has nine climbing sites. Beginners should head to Via Ferrata des Pillots and those seeking adventure can brave the 800m heights of Les Vias du Gouffre d'Enfer, with views of the valley and dam below. There is also a golf course, a go-cart track and two skateboarding parks.
To get a feel for the industrial past of Sainte-Étienne, head to one of the interesting historical re-creations offered throughout the city. At the Maison du passementier (haberdashery house), you can see an authentic display of the daily life of a braid and ribbon maker, including a replica of a shop and workshop. At Le moulin Pinte, you will find demonstrations of lace-making, weaving and braid-making. The Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches du Patrimoine Industriel (CERPI) offers a selection of tours around monuments to the heritage of local industry, from glassblowing to textile fabrication.
The city has a number of other attractions, including a museum of modern art, a coal mining museum, and a working honey farm in the Loire Gorges. A moving tribute to those sent to the Nazi concentration camps, and those who fought for the resistance in the Loire valley, can be found at Mémorial de la Résistance et de la déportation (memorial of resistance and deportation). For a look at the ancient history of the region, visit the Forez-Jarez archaeological centre. Another important area worth visiting is Firminy, a large, award-winning Le Corbusier site.
