4 - La Petite Suchère

The Vivarais-Lignon plateau, a land of welcome: From 1933, the population of the plateau, often of Protestant origin, was made widely aware by mayors and pastors of the growing dangers. Anti-fascist, it also drew on the ideas of social Christianity. In February 1939, Spanish Republicans fleeing persecution found refuge at Le Chambon, Le Mazet and Tence, in holiday camps or holiday homes. During the war, refugees very often arrived by train from Lyon or the Rhône valley. Rescue networks were set up, official at first, then clandestine, to take in refugees from the internment camps of the South of France. It was indeed the tourist tradition of the Plateau, notably in the farms and boarding houses, that made this welcome easier. The majority of the refugees were Jewish. Children made up about a third of the refugees; some would stay for several years in the children's homes of the Secours suisse (Swiss Relief) or with farmers.

A fairly short circuit, not very difficult technically. On leaving Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, the climb is a little steep up to La Suchère. The return to the village is downhill on stony paths that are not dangerous, as far as the crossing of the Lignon. The last kilometres are uphill.