What to do around Vichy

The magnificent town of Vichy, with its centuries-old thermal springs, varied and romantic architecture, rich heritage and wide range of sporting and cultural activities, is a delight for tourists of all ages. But there’s no shortage of attractions around Vichy either – in fact, there are plenty.

That’s why we’ve put together this short guide to help you put together a programme of discovery with your family, friends or on your own.

Welcome to Bourbonnais country!

1 – Lights on the Bourbonnais

Here’s an event that happens every year and is sure to please the whole family.

The region’s most emblematic monuments are illuminated, with spectacular light shows offered free of charge in the towns of Cusset, Vichy and Châtel-Montagne (the nearest towns) and Moulins, Montluçon, Commentry, Néris-les-Bains and Bourbon-l’Archambault (the furthest towns are about 1 hour’s drive from Vichy). The themes vary from year to year.

2 – The fortress of Billy

Now in ruins, this twelfth-century castle was once one of the 17 most important castles in the Bourbonnais region, with its 3 protective walls.

The rampart walk offers a panoramic view over the Allier valley, and the remains of these walls can be seen in the streets of this medieval village. A guided tour will tell you all about the history of this castle and its role in the region.

The parish church has a number of remains, including an 11th-century Romanesque crypt, and the Cave Saint-Georges was once the place where wine was stored. Billy has been awarded the “Petite Cité de Caractère®” label.

3 – Lapalisse

Everyone knows the expression, “c’est une Lapalissade”, when someone says something obvious, the famous truths of La Palice. However, Marshal de La Palice never made any of them…

In fact, this unenviable false reputation is due to a song composed by his soldiers when he died at the Battle of Pavia: “Hélas! La Palice is dead, he died before Pavia, Alas, if he had not died, he would still be the envy of the world!

Over time, an error crept into the pamphlet, which was copied over and over again with varying degrees of care, until the F in “would” was changed to an S. This completely changed the meaning of the pamphlet. This completely changed the meaning of the sentence: “Hélas, s’il n’était pas mort, il Serait encore en vie! That’s how the famous truism came about, because of a copying error!

4 – The Château de La Palice

This fairytale castle is built in the Flamboyant Gothic, Renaissance and Neo-Gothic styles.

When you visit this castle, you’ll be able to admire :

• A Renaissance diamond coffered ceiling, unique in Europe.

• 16th-century tapestries.

• An Italian Renaissance main house in polychrome brick.

• The chapel where the de Chabannes family has been buried since the 15th century.

• A unique collection dedicated to the flags of nations.

• A treasure hunt is organised for children.

During the guided tour, you will have the pleasure of hearing not only historical facts, but also family memories and juicy anecdotes that tell the story of the 30 generations that have succeeded one another at the château.

5 – The Bourbonnais Mountains

If you love nature, hiking, fishing, picturesque villages and fantastic scenery, the Montagne Bourbonnaise is the place for you!

L’Allée des hêtres tortueux

Let your imagination run riot as you stroll among these beech trees, whose shapes can be as disturbing or sublime as your imagination! This witches’ path, near Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs, features a large number of beech trees with very distinctive shapes that stand out all along the way.

The Grotte des Fées

Near Ferrières-sur-Sichon, the walls of this cave are covered in stalactites that have given rise to many legends. This 30-metre-long cave, said to have been inhabited by fairies, can be visited all year round except from December to January when the bats hibernate. There’s a river nearby, so make sure you’re well shod!

The Pisserotte waterfall

The largest of the waterfalls is 4 metres high, set between water and rocks. Listen, breathe and let yourself be immersed in nature, a veritable opera of natural elements.

The legendary stones

A forest of deciduous and coniferous trees near Laprugne is home to an ancient Celtic place of worship made up of Day Stones and Druidic Stones.

Le Puy du Montoncel

This site offers exceptional views of the Montagne Bourbonnaise and its villages, as well as the Forez mountains. Numerous sporting activities are also available in both winter and summer.

Also worth seeing in the Vichy area

• Paléopolis theme park: palaeontology as seen through workshops and activities, including digital ones, offering total immersion.

• Charroux: the only “Most Beautiful Village in France” in the Allier region, it’s well worth a visit to discover its magnificent architectural and gastronomic heritage.

• The Sioule gorges: canoeing, fishing, sporting activities…

• The Green Way from Saint-Yorre to Billy for pedestrians and cyclists.