Mont Cindre — an unusual place in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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Mont Cindre, a summit in the Monts d’Or on the outskirts of Lyon To the north-west of Lyon, Mont Cindre stands out in the landscape of the Monts d’Or. Located within the municipality of Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or, it rises to an elevation of 470 metres. A modest height on an Alpine scale, yet significant in the metropolitan landscape: Mont Cindre is the fourth-highest summit in the Lyon metropolitan area. It ranks behind Mont Verdun, which reaches 626 metres, Mont Thou at 611 metres, and Mont Narcel at 589 metres. This position gives the place its full significance. Mont Cindre is not an isolated summit: it belongs to a recognised family of landforms whose names alone evoke another geography of Lyon. WHY MAKE THE DETOUR Mont Cindre invites you to view Lyon from its immediate hinterland. Just a few kilometres from the major city, the Monts d’Or are a reminder that the metropolitan area is not limited to urban districts and valleys: it also has distinct high ground, ridgelines and topographical landmarks. Its appeal lies in this precise position. At 470 metres, it belongs to the small group of the metropolitan area’s highest summits. Discovering it means putting names and elevations to a landscape often perceived from Lyon as no more than a distant horizon. The municipal setting reinforces this identity: Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or bears, in its very name, its connection to this range of hills. Here, Mont Cindre emerges as a tangible geographical landmark, both local and metropolitan. THE BEST TIME Mont Cindre is especially well suited to an attentive exploration of the Monts d’Or landscape. Choose a day appropriate to your planned outing and the current conditions, particularly if you intend to explore the area on foot. Local conditions, traffic and any access recommendations may vary depending on the period. It is best to check the latest information from the municipality of Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or before setting off. PREPARING YOUR VISIT Approach Mont Cindre with one simple idea in mind: it is a summit in the Monts d’Or, rather than a site detached from its surroundings. It becomes more interesting when placed alongside the neighbouring elevations that rank above it within the metropolitan area: Mont Verdun, Mont Thou and Mont Narcel. Before your visit, check local guidance on routes, parking and travel conditions. Plan your visit with the hilly nature of the area and the day’s weather conditions in mind. ACCESS AND LANDMARKS Mont Cindre is located in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or, in the Monts d’Or, north-west of Lyon, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Its elevation is 470 metres. In the Lyon metropolitan area, only three summits are higher: Mont Verdun, at 626 metres; Mont Thou, at 611 metres; and Mont Narcel, at 589 metres. To plan your approach to the site, consult the official channels of Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or. The key point to remember is this distinctive standing: Mont Cindre is one of the highest landforms in the Lyon metropolitan area.
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Where: Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or — Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes