Montbrison

36km/22mi northwest of Saint Etienne is the ancient little town of Montbrison, huddled around a hill between the Loire plain and the Monts du Forez. In the south of the town, near the river Vizézy, is the Gothic church of Notre-Dame- d'Espérance (early 13th C.), with a 15th C. doorway in Flamboyant style. Behind the apse is the former chapterhouse (known as the Diana), now used as a library, with a fine wooden ceiling of 1728. On the boulevard which runs around the town, to the west, is the Musée d'Allard, with an interesting collection of dolls and puppets and a cabinet of minerals. Beyond the museum is the Parc d'Allard.