Day 1 Arrival in Nevers
Take advantage of the evening to explore the city center.
Day 2 Nevers – Sancoins – Le Veurdre 56 km
Start your tour on Via Allier in Nevers, the ducal city that was the center of faience production in the 17th century. Cross the Loire by following the canal to the Guétin bridge, which has 18 arches and a length of 343 m, spanning the Allier river. You can admire the confluence of the Loire and Allier rivers at the Bec d’Allier natural monument. Further on, you will reach Apremont-sur-Allier, considered the “most beautiful village in France” with its castle and flower park, which has been awarded the “Jardin Remarquable” (Remarkable Garden) label. The Grossouvre hall and its Espace Métal commemorate the region’s metallurgical heritage. After Sancoins, you will see the Château Saint-Augustin and enter the department of Allier, where a tradition is cultivated in the river towns of Auvergne, including Le Veurdre with its museum dedicated to inland waterway transport.
Day 3 Le Veurdre – Toulon-surAllier – Neuilly-le-Réal 52 km
Embark on an adventure along the Via Allier cycle route, where the Allier River has retained its freedom and agility, much like a cyclist, especially south of Moulins. The former capital of the Dukes of Bourbon is worth a longer stay because of its National Center for Stage Costumes and its streets and alleys, which are characterized by five centuries of architecture.
Day 4 Neuilly-le-Réal – Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule – Vichy 63 km
Discover the Val d’Allier nature reserve, a true haven of peace for birds. After a short climb through the Moladier forest, you will cycle through the hedgerow landscape of the Bourbonnais. schaft des Bourbonnais.The first vineyards of Saint-Pourcinois open up a new perspective on this journey. The winegrowers of the Saint-Pourçain wine region await you for a tasting of their wines, which were once served at the court of the French kings. The route passes through Billy with its medieval fortress, which towers over this town full of character. A beautiful cycle path takes you along the river to Vichy, the spa town famous for its centuries-old springs. Admire the Baroque and Art Deco facades inspired by different cultures from around the world.
Day 5 Vichy – Puy-Guillaume – Billom 61 km
Leave Vichy via the cycle path that runs along side the Allier. Further afield, discover the waters of the Dore at Bec de Dore, a place that offers peace and protection to the species that live there. In the distance, the mountains of Auvergne stand out. Take a detour to the royal estate of Randan and visit Ris and the church of Ste-Croix, a former Cluniac priory.
Day 6 Billom – Clermont-Ferrand 38 km
Here, the Via Allier marks the transition between the fertile Limagne plain and the volcanic character of the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area and the Puys chain, which can be seen in the distance. At the end of the route, Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of Auvergne, awaits you. It boasts a rich cultural heritage, as evidenced by its numerous hotels, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, a Gothic building made of black lava stone from Volvic, whose interior is adorned with magnificent old stained glass windows, and the Romanesque Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is well worth strolling through the streets.
Day 7 Departure
Your stay ends after breakfast. Have a safe trip!
Comments