Motorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise MountainsThe Sichon takes its source in Lavoine, on the slopes of the puy de Montoncel in the Bois Noirs, in the Montagne bourbonnaise, to come and flow into the Allier in Vichy, not far from the Rotonde du lac. This is where a handful of motorcyclists, passionate about bikes as heterogeneous as atypical, met.
The Sichon digs its furrow between meadows and steep gorges along the departmental road 995. The road scrupulously follows the meanders of the Sichon.
Here and there, in the summer, it is not rare to see some bathers who have come to take the fresh air.
The horizon widens in meadows and undergrowth, the road takes a more rectilinear pace.
Motorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise Mountains
Motorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise Mountains
Motorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise Mountains
Motorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise MountainsMotorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise Mountains
Motorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise MountainsIt is a Romanesque building, composed of a nave of three bays of 20 meters long.
Motorcycle roadtrip in the Bourbonnaise MountainsNearby, the medieval garden recounts the presence of the Cluniac monks in Arronnes for seven centuries.
The hour is advancing and we must reach the next stop: Arronnes. This small medieval town that developed around a priory founded by the abbey of Cluny in the 11th century is today just as famous for its church as… for its baker.
After this little break direction Ferrières. Of course the village conceals some surprises like its wash house or the Fairies’ cave but what attracts is at the end of a stony path that descends towards the Sichon. There, a fish farm is nestled. A place a little out of time where one comes to catch a few trout, in family, “to please the kids”, delighted to be able to taste their catch on the spot thanks to the barbecues put at the disposal of the visitors.
The Rocher Saint-Vincent is a must, a block of lava which culminates at more than 900 meters and offers a panoramic sight on all the Mountain bourbonnaise. Composed of several rocks the place is a recognized climbing site. Not far away the Pierre fendue is a real geological curiosity.
Saint-Vincent Rock
Saint-Vincent Rock
Saint-Vincent Rock
Lavoine Ball Clock
Lavoine Ball Clock
Lavoine Ball ClockFor the time being, it is another curiosity that brings the group to make an unusual stop: Lavoine’s ball and water clock. Unusual and rare since only two other examples exist in the world, in Munich and San Francisco.
