Sail-sous-Couzan

To the West of the Forez hills, half way between Roanne and Saint-Etienne, the little town of Sail-sous-Couzan is now famous. Since 1998 and France’s victory in the World Cup the town is invaded by the fans of the most famous football coach in France: Aimé Jacquet. To honour this local child as is befitting the village regularly organises short tours during which you can discover the house, school and football stadium of the hero.
But when summer arrives, Sail-sous-Couzan also attracts another sort of public. Indeed, in the month of July a great electronic and modern music festival is organised for a weekend. There is no point then in trying to make the most of the calm of this charming countryside or of planning peaceful walks in the mountains. The village is completely metamorphosed and the atmosphere is guaranteed.
During this period if you want peace and calm it is advisable to go a little distance from the village. One or two kilometres from the centre taking the road to Saint-Georges-en-Couzan, you will find a real peace haven. Overlooking the Forez plain, you will come across the ruins of the fortress of Couzan, the most important in the region. The powerful towers of the building symbolise very well the thirst for power of the Seigneurs of the time. Everything was done to give an impression of immeasurable greatness. On each side of the ruins the panorama accentuates this impression and offers a vigorous contrast between the abrupt mountain ravines on one side and the immensity of the Forez plain on the other. An excursion to be programmed in summer, for from June to September a cultural centre will welcome you with local entertainment.

Information: Sail-sous-Couzan Tourist Office: tel: 04 77 97 60 94