A combined cycling and canoeing outing in the Allier Gorges
On this sporty day, enjoy the mix of characterful villages and ancient lava flows along the Allier’s meanders, the terrain getting steeper and steeper as you come to the Allier Gorges. Head out by bike, return by canoe! That way, you can discover many of the secret sides of this, one of Western Europe’s last-remaining wild rivers. It’s a special spot for salmon… and for humans after active outdoors holidays!
The Via Allier cycle route by electric bike
Nothing can beat an electric bike, or e-bike (vélo à assistance électrique or VAE in French) as a way to eat up the slopes on this stage taking you to the medieval village of Chilhac, then on to Langeac. Enjoy 15km of pure pleasure, the e-bike enabling you to appreciate the local landscapes sculpted by water and volcanoes. The odd terraced slope covered with vines recalls the once-thriving viticultural past of this valley bathed in sunshine.
Chilhac, Petite cité de caractère®
Perched on volcanic lava columns overlooking the Allier River, Chilhac piques visitors’ interest. A medieval village surrounded by ramparts and built around a Romanesque church, it’s now been designated a Petite Cité de Caractère. A good number of old winemakers’ houses and the Museum of Palaeontology draw visitors’ attention. Below stands a 19th-century suspension bridge spanning the Allier.
Langeac
Au cœur de la vallée de l'Allier, Langeac est dominée par le mont Saint Roch, volcan surtseyen (c’est-à-dire né dans l’eau) vieux de 280 millions d’années. Il a été utilisé comme carrière de pierres pour construire de nombreux édifices du centre historique. Dès le Moyen Âge, Langeac est un lieu de passage et un carrefour commercial important pour la région et comptera même parmi les treize Bonnes Villes d’Auvergne, au même titre que Clermont, Brioude ou Auzon. En 1786, Gilbert Motier, marquis de La Fayette, vient prendre possession de son nouveau fief, c'est La belle journée. L’arrivée du chemin de fer fait entrer Langeac dans l’ère industrielle. Entreprise ferroviaire et exploitation minière deviendront les leviers économiques aux XIXe et XXe siècles, d'une ville aujourd'hui tournée vers le tourisme.
Langeac - Lavoûte-Chilhac by canoe
Be carried along by the Allier River’s, heading to Lavoute-Chilhac by canoe. Relish three hours on the water, appreciating the local landscapes and sites from a quite different angle than going by road. Experience a totally different way of appreciating the Allier Gorges, splashing about and enjoying a good laugh on the river itself.
Map of the route
Map of the route
