Noirétable is a small town in the Monts du Forez, close to the border between the Loire and Puy-de-Dôme departments, on the old route between Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand. Its name comes from the dark forests of the Bois Noirs that cover the surrounding hills, and the town has the feel of a mountain market town, with granite houses, a church and a cool, fresh climate even in summer.
Above the town, on the slopes of the mountains, stands the chapel of Notre-Dame de l'Hermitage, a pilgrimage site with a sweeping view over the Forez plain and the surrounding hills. Pilgrims have climbed here for centuries, and the site is still visited, especially in summer.
The A89 motorway now passes nearby, linking Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand, but the old roads are far more interesting. They wind through the forests and over the hills, with plenty of bends, climbs and descents, and generally light traffic. To the south, the roads lead into the heart of the Monts du Forez and up to the high moors of the Hautes Chaumes. To the north, the Bois Noirs and the Monts de la Madeleine offer more forest riding.
Noirétable has fuel, food and basic services. As a start and finish, it is a good base for exploring the mountains of the Forez and the Livradois. The weather can be changeable, with fog and rain common, and winters are snowy, so check conditions before setting out.