The village is situated at the foot of the Monts du Pilat, in the foothills of the Monts du Lyonnais and at the entrance to the Gier valley; it detaches itself on a crest situated where it meets the Langonnand and the Ozon valleys. Surrounded by hills, Sorbiers deserves the «green town” appellation because it is such a pastoral and flowery place.
Some history
The origin of the commune’s name is said to be related to the presence on the territory of a service tree or sorb, a shrub which produces a fruit out of which a sort of cider was extracted in days gone by.
Essential visiting
The church Assomption and Saint-Fortunat
Built at the end of the 19th century, it is Neo-gothic style church with a classified bell.
Fraisse park
25 acres of preserved land for leisure with centenary trees.
Nail maker showroom
Permanent exhibition centre. The showroom presents nail maker’s tools and shows a video about the work of the last nail maker craftsmen.
The laundry
A wash house in the river bed.
The Madonnas
Sorbiers has two madonnas (the madonna of Sapey and the madonna of La Chaux), testimonies of the importance of the Marian cult in the commune.
Stone and wrought iron crosses These little monuments are testimonies of a form of popular piety.
Sorbiers
Suggestions for outings
A footpath invites you to discover the heritage of Sorbiers, entitled “Along the footpath between Langonnand and Ozon” Guide available at the Tourist Office.
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