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  • In the Tronçais forest in the Allier department
    In the Tronçais forest in the Allier department Photo: Clame Reporter, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons

Allier

The options for tourists in Allier are blazing and tempting. Are you looking for travel suggestions? Our travel guide provides you with the best activities that Allier has to offer. Get inspired by the best trips throughout the region, all events you should not miss, the most outstanding places to see and places to stay. Here is a brief overview of the highlights in Allier:

4.1  (36 Ratings and reviews)

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Attractions in the Allier


Highlights

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Maps and trails
Historical Site · Auvergne
Les caves Bertine
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

Site de visite fermé. Visites guidées ponctuelles. Se référer au calendrier établi par le Pays d'art ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Natural Monument · Auvergne
Espace naturel sensible Les Coqueteaux
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

Accès libre toute l'année ou visite guidée à thème de fin mai à début septembre d'une durée de trois ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Museum · Allier
Paléopolis,
Allier
No ratings (yet)

A theme park dedicated to paleontology, Paléopolis, the dinosaur hill in Gannat (03), tells the most ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Museum · Auvergne
Musée de la Visitation
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

Pénétrez au cœur de l’histoire de France et des arts décoratifs ! Découvrez le patrimoine de l’Ordre ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

Élément majeur du département, la rivière "Allier" a gardé son caractère sauvage et libre. Elle est ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

The museum, settled in the fortified castle of the Bourbon Lords converted into prison, offers a ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Castle · Auvergne
Château des Aix
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

Visite guidée des intérieurs restaurés et des extérieurs. Du logis féodal subsistent la vaste ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Castle · Allier
Château de Chouvigny
Allier
No ratings (yet)

A 13th-century fortified castle on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the Sioule Gorge, it belonged to ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

Réserve naturelle en bord de Loire avec un patrimoine naturel exceptionnel à l'origine de cette ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Auvergne
No ratings (yet)

This set of two limestones hills, separates by the valley marks the local landscape by a twenty ...

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
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Exploring the Allier through its natural jewel

The Allier department boasts a diverse and well-preserved natural heritage. The Gorges de la Sioule, sculpted by the river of the same name, offer spectacular panoramas and ideal terrain for hiking and water sports. The vast plains, such as the Sologne bourbonnaise, charm with their open landscapes, ideal for leisurely strolls.

The Tronçais forest, one of the largest oak forests in Europe, is testimony to the wealth of local woodland. Ponds, lakes and nature reserves, including the étang de Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais, are home to a flourishing biodiversity and offer peaceful havens for birdwatching.

The Allier is a living tableau of tranquil beauty and rich wildlife, captivating nature lovers and adventurers in search of authenticity.

A fascinating dive into French history

The Allier also reveals itself through its rich history and culture. Medieval châteaux, such as the Château de Billy, bear witness to the region's architectural heritage, while Romanesque churches scattered throughout the villages reveal the artistic and spiritual imprint of the Middle Ages.

The département is also steeped in the history of the Bourbons, with the Bourbonnais being the birthplace of this illustrious French royal family. The Château de Bourbon-l'Archambault, former residence of the Lords of Bourbon, is an emblematic example of this historical influence.

The culture of the Allier is also expressed through its festivals, markets and local events, which celebrate craft traditions, gastronomy and regional music. Lively markets, such as the one in Moulins, offer an immersion in daily life and local gastronomy, showcasing local produce.

Hiking in the heart of unspoilt nature

The Gorges de la Sioule, with their spectacular panoramas, offer an ideal playground for hiking enthusiasts, while the vast plains of the Sologne bourbonnaise invite you to enjoy peaceful walks amidst open countryside.

The Tronçais forest, one of the largest oak forests in Europe, offers shady paths and remarkable biodiversity. The ponds, lakes and nature reserves, such as the Etang de Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais, are havens of peace where bird-watching becomes a unique experience.

Beyond the landscapes, each trail reveals historical and cultural treasures, with picturesque villages and châteaux steeped in history.

Whether you're a seasoned walker or an amateur in search of new discoveries, the Allier promises an unforgettable adventure in the heart of France.

Go mountain biking!

The Grande Traversée du Massif Central (GTMC) offers mountain bikers an unforgettable experience across the Allier. This route, which crosses the département, allows adventurers to discover the diversity of the landscapes, the rich heritage and the warmth of the local welcome.

By taking the GTMC in the Allier, mountain bikers can explore the hills of the Bourbonnais, lush green plains, majestic forests and the picturesque gorges of the Sioule. Authentic villages line the route for welcome breaks to discover local culture, seek out regional flavours or soak up the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.

You can also visit iconic sites such as the Château de Billy, a medieval gem, or venture into the Tronçais forest, one of the largest oak forests in Europe.

recommended route Difficulty S2 moderate Multi-day route
Distance 1,402.2 km
Duration 170:33 h
Ascent 22,869 m
Descent 23,128 m

1380 km mountain biking from Morvan in Burgundy to the Mediterranean! In 2018, the Grande Traversée du Massif Central mountain biking route was ...

5
from Grande Traversée du Massif Central,   Grande Traversée du Massif Central VTT

Authentic Experiences and Guided Tours

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Destinations in the Allier


Regions

Abrest Agonges Ainay-le-Château Andelaroche Archignat Arfeuilles Arpheuilles-Saint-Priest Aubigny Audes Aurouër Autry-Issards Avermes Avrilly Bagneux Barrais-Bussolles Beaulon Beaune-d'Allier Bellenaves Bellerive-sur-Allier Bert Bessay-sur-Allier Besson Bègues Bézenet Billezois Billy Biozat Bizeneuille Blomard Bourbon-l'Archambault Braize Bresnay Bressolles Brugheas Busset Buxières-les-Mines Cesset Cérilly Chamblet Chantelle Chareil-Cintrat Charmeil Charroux Chassenard Château-sur-Allier Châtel-de-Neuvre Châtel-Montagne Châtelus Châtillon Chemilly Chézy Chirat-l'Eglise Chouvigny Colombier Commentry Contigny Cosne-d'Allier Coulandon Coulanges Couleuvre Coutansouze Couzon Cressanges Creuzier-le-Vieux Cusset Deneuille-les-Mines Deneuille-lès-Chantelle Deux-Chaises Désertines Diou Domérat Dompierre-sur-Besbre Doyet Droiturier Durdat-Larequille Ebreuil Echassières Espinasse-Vozelle Etroussat Ferrières-sur-Sichon Fleuriel Fourilles Gannat Gannay-sur-Loire Garnat-sur-Engièvre Gennetines Gipcy Hauterive Hérisson Huriel Hyds Isle-et-Bardais Jenzat La Celle La Chabanne La Chapelaude La Chapelle La Chapelle-aux-Chasses La Ferté-Hauterive La Guillermie La Petite-Marche Lalizolle Lamaids Langy Lapalisse Laprugne Lavault-Sainte-Anne Lavoine Le Brethon Le Breuil Le Donjon Le Mayet-de-Montagne Le Montet Le Pin Le Vernet Le Veurdre Le Vilhain Lenax Lételon Liernolles Lignerolles Loddes Louchy-Montfand Louroux-Bourbonnais Louroux-de-Beaune Louroux-de-Bouble Luneau Lurcy-Lévis Lusigny Magnet Malicorne Marcenat Marcillat-en-Combraille Marigny Mazerier Mazirat Meaulne-Vitray Meillard Meillers Molinet Monestier Monétay-sur-Allier Montaigu-le-Blin Montbeugny Montcombroux-les-Mines Montilly Montluçon Montmarault Montord Montvicq Moulins Murat Nades Nassigny Naves Neuilly-le-Réal Neure Neuvy Néris-les-Bains Noyant-d'Allier Paray-le-Frésil Paray-sous-Briailles Périgny Pierrefitte-sur-Loire Pouzy-Mésangy Prémilhat Quinssaines Reugny Rocles Ronnet Saint-Angel Saint-Aubin-le-Monial Saint-Bonnet-de-Four Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais Saint-Caprais Saint-Clément Saint-Désiré Saint-Ennemond Saint-Félix Saint-Genest Saint-Germain-de-Salles Saint-Germain-des-Fossés Saint-Gérand-le-Puy Saint-Hilaire Saint-Léon Saint-Léopardin-d'Augy Saint-Marcel-en-Marcillat Saint-Marcel-en-Murat Saint-Martin-des-Lais Saint-Martinien Saint-Menoux Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs Saint-Pierre-Laval Saint-Pont Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule Saint-Priest-en-Murat Saint-Prix Saint-Rémy-en-Rollat Saint-Victor Saint-Yorre Sainte-Thérence Saligny-sur-Roudon Sanssat Saulcet Saulzet Sazeret Serbannes Servilly Souvigny Taxat-Senat Teillet-Argenty Terjat Thiel-sur-Acolin Tortezais Toulon-sur-Allier Trévol Tronget Urçay Ussel-d'Allier Valignat Valigny Vallon-en-Sully Varennes-sur-Allier Vaumas Vaux Veauce Venas Vendat Verneix Verneuil-en-Bourbonnais Vernusse Vichy Vicq Vieure Villebret Villefranche-d'Allier Villeneuve-sur-Allier Voussac Ygrande Yzeure

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Getting there

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Reviews

  • February 14, 2025
    Anke Brueske
    February 14, 2025
    Danke für die Karte, hilft beim Wandern sehr!!!! Von Berlin bis Vezelay haben wir es geschafft, bald geht es weiter in Richtung Süden.
    ...Show more
    Photo: Anke Brueske, Community
    Written February 14, 2025
  • August 02, 2021
    Odile Valence
    Veloroute faite de Montluçon à Liourdes en juillet 2021. Que des petites routes sans circulation et en bon état (sauf le bord de la Dordogne) Paysages superbes à partir de l'étape 3 , bcp de lacs et des belles visites encours de chemin ( Abbatiales dans plusieurs villages, Aubusson, ruines gallo romaines des Cars à St Merd les Oussines, ...) . Circuit un peu exigeant car bcp de montées et descentes. Tres bonne signalitque dans l'Aĺlier et la Creuse. Un peu moins dense en correze. Dommage que cette veloroute ne se poursuive pas plus au Sud.
    ...Show more
    Written August 02, 2021
  • February 27, 2021
    Patrice & Elena DAL MAS
    trs belle rando, niveau difficile, beaucoup de pierres et de forts denivels, mais un vrai rgale. prenez de bonnes chaussures, beaucoup de ruissellement d'eau dans les chemins.
    ...Show more
    Written February 27, 2021
  • February 21, 2021
    Patrice & Elena DAL MAS
    belle balade en fort.
    ...Show more
    Written February 21, 2021
    Hiking Trail
    Puy du Montoncel
  • June 26, 2020
    Gerd Wündrich
    Bitte noch einmal überarbeiten Berlin nach Leibzig wohl etwas durcheinander.
    ...Show more
    Written June 26, 2020
  • April 20, 2020
    Thierry gauthier 
    très bonne balade merci
    ...Show more
    Written April 20, 2020

Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated from French.
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