Charroux walks

A very pleasant hike through countryside and forest between Charroux and the banks of the Sioule, with superb views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Bourbonnais mountains on a clear day.

A short 8-shaped walk at the foot of Saint-Vincent de Chantelle Abbey.

An easy hike in the hills overlooking Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, west of the Allier valley, partly following the GR®300 trail with a few short stretches on minor roads. Easy, well-marked and signposted paths. Beautiful views of Saint Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Unshaded route, best avoided during heatwaves.

A circular route, mostly on tracks and farm roads, starting from Cognat-L'yonne and passing by Rilhat Castle and Monpensier Golf Course. Beautiful view of the Gannat plain on a clear day, of course.

Circular in the Calvinian countryside overlooking the Sioule Gorges, then along the riverbank.

A family hike that passes through the vineyards of Saint-Pourçain.

The route takes walkers to the heights of Aigueperse and Chaptuzat, past fountains, wash houses, crosses and castles.

I suggest a short urban hike to discover Vichy, nicknamed "the Queen of Waters". This circuit takes you through the emblematic streets of Napoleon III's beloved city, lined with beautiful houses of eclectic architecture, as well as the shopping streets of the modern city and the parks along the Allier River. You can quench your thirst at the famous Source des Célestins.

Tour of the Sep Joli dam with a view of it. A fairly easy hike between paths and forest. Not too crowded in July, mostly fishermen.

This trail takes you from hamlet to hamlet to discover the small-scale architectural heritage of this part of Auvergne, in the north of the Puy-de-Dôme: traditional houses with stepped gables, wells and drinking troughs, a former abbey in Menat and a medieval bridge over the Sioule.

Discover the hamlets of the Blot region and the superb lime trees that adorn their squares. The second part of this walk will take you to Château-Rocher, which overlooks the Sioule valley.

While further south in Auvergne, water is brought to villages by fountains, here it is provided by numerous public and private wells, which you can enjoy discovering in the hamlets along this circular route in the Blot region, on the heights of the Morge. You will also discover an oratory and a chapel, both dedicated to Saint Agatha.

A forest walk in the foothills of the Combrailles leading to the "Pierre Branlante" site. Erosion has cleared away a block of granite, leaving it balanced on its side. According to legend, this block oscillates when touched by human hands.

A pleasant circular starting from Vieux Saint-Sylvestre, heading to Saint-Priest-Bramefant through the Bois Brun forest and back. Very little tarmac and beautiful scenery on a clear day. An easy hike.

From Charbonnières-les-Vieilles, the hilly path runs alongside the Morge river, offering remarkable examples of local heritage (wells, crosses, wash houses, mills) and arrives at the magnificent Gour de Tazenat (crater lake) with splendid views of the Chaîne des Puys.

A beautiful walk in any season when the weather is fine, alone or with the family. You can explore the banks of the River Allier and its magnificent waterfalls. The route is mostly shaded in summer. You can also listen to the songs of a wide variety of birds. This route is similar to the "circular des sources" hiking trail listed by Vichy Communauté: a fully developed route with rest and picnic areas.

A perfect circle 700 m in diameter and approximately 66 m deep, the Gour de Tazenat is a crater lake or maar whose clear waters are home to a variety of aquatic fauna. A path through the undergrowth allows everyone to walk around it easily.

Discover Châteauneuf-les-Bains, a little-known spa resort in the Puy-de-Dôme, located on the banks of the Sioule.