Water from the Allier

Canoeing and mountain biking

On foot, by bike or by canoe: the Allier is yours! By following the greenway and the banks, or by taking the river itself, at the time of multimodal what better way to discover one of the last great wild rivers of Europe.

See in the river

her ally

A river is like stairs: always easier to go down than up!

This is actually why mixed canoeing and mountain biking activities are so complementary. Downstream, it’s the upper body that works. And upstream? Hop hop hop, we work the lower body !

Direction

Vichy to Saint-Yorre

From the Célestins beach, ride your bike up the via Allier to Saint-Yorre for about ten kilometers, then board a canoë to return down to your starting point. Count on about 1h30 for this section of the descent.

On your way you will enjoy a unique view of the Saint-Amand coast, you can approach the Talon drink or go along the Croix-Saint-Martin peninsula.

Direction

Vichy to Billy

Embark on the base of Vichy Aventure at the foot of the dam-bridge and sail the canoe! 13 kilometers and 2 hours later… you disembark in Billy. Time to breathe a little, immortalize your feat with the famous Billy Fortress in the background and you hop on the mountain bikes to start the return to your starting point.

Discover the course

The Allier

One of the last great wild rivers of Europe

Why wild? Because between Vichy and Moulins, the crazy Allier wanders in the alluvial plain. It changes its course, abandons its bed, tortures its meanders, nibbles its banks and creates boires until dead arms fall into it. It also duplicates a little with the underground alter ego that constitutes its alluvial table. It rolls its pebbles in the plain, deposits here alluvial deposits torn off there and welcomes in its wake an astonishing biodiversity nourished and housed.

Under its mood swings, the water flow also varies: from 20 m3 per second at low water, it can rise in flood, up to 5,000 m3 per second in Moulins in 1790 (estimate).

The via Allier and its discovery loops

The Allier in all its states

This water flowing from south to north, these paths along the river are all invitations to discover the Allier in every way…

The Via Allier and its loops

Green wayFrom Billy to Saint-Yorre

The Via Allier, a cycle route that links the Bec d’Allier to the Mediterranean coast along the river, stretches for 27 km through the agglomeration, mixing nature and more urban areas, between Billy and Saint-Yorre.

Discover

Green wayLoop of the Isles

Between the effervescence of the city and the serenity of its surroundings, this loop will let you glide gently from the banks of the thermal city to the natural meanders of the Allier which reveals its true wild character.

Discover

Green wayLoop of the Sources

Discover the green atmosphere with the sound of croaking birds and the natural freshness of the banks of the Allier. The water and springs of Saint-Yorre sparkle and welcome the walker with a unique view of the Vichy Saint-Yorre water bottling plant.

Discover

Green wayLake Loop

Very popular, this loop offers an unobstructed view of the green expanses of the Parc Omnisports, the century-old golf course of Vichy or the racecourse. It is also a unique opportunity to race against the rowers and other sailors of the lake of Allier.

Discover

Also to be discovered