How to get to and leave the cycle route?

The Via Allier cycle route is fairly well served by SNCF (French national railways) train stations, or gares. Most of the relevant rail lines are served by TER regional trains, for which you do not need to book a space for your bike.

If taking your bike(s) on trains

On TER regional trains, you do not need to book a space for your bike and you can transport it for free; for Intercités and high-speed TGV trains, you have to book and pay for a space for your bike (cost of €10 at time of writing).

To reserve a space for your bike(s) on Intercités or high-speed TGV trains, make sure to tick the relevant box when buying your ticket(s) on the website Sncf Connect.

On board TER trains, there is only a limited number of spaces available for bikes, so avoid using these trains at rush hour.

Here are some train lines connected to major towns close to or on the Via Allier

• Paris > Moulins > Vichy > Clermont-Ferrand
• Nantes > Tours > Nevers > Moulins > Vichy > Lyon
• Béziers > Issoire > Clermont-Ferrand
• Clermont-Ferrand > Vichy > Lyon

Consult times of trains on the website Sncf Connect.

To return by train to Nevers from Langogne

Going by train from Langogne, you need to make one change at Clermont-Ferrand to reach Nevers.

TER Langogne > Clermont-Ferrand (3hrs 15) then TER or Intercités Clermont-Ferrand > Nevers (1hr 30mins)

Long-stay car parks in Nevers

• Indiggo : two car parks in the centre, fee for one week (€30 at time of writing) or for two weeks (€40 at time of writing)
• Effia : one car park in the centre, fee for one week (€31.50 at time of writing)