Voie verte - La Boucle des Isles

On your own, in a group or with the family, on foot or by bike, enjoy the sights and sounds of the Allier, France's last wild river, on the three discovery trails around the voie verte.

Three loops have been laid out around the greenway, allowing visitors to enjoy the lush green surroundings of the river banks and discover the cultural and environmental treasures on offer. The comfortable, 3-meter-wide paths are safe and accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.

A link between the hustle and bustle of the city and the serenity of its surroundings, this loop will let you glide gently from the landscaped banks of the spa town to the natural meanders of the Allier River, which quickly reveals its true wilderness character that some will rediscover, but many will also discover. A few kilometers after the Allier parks, created on the initiative of Emperor Napoleon III during his visits to Vichy, we discover Abrest. At the foot of the church, the railway footbridge offers a unique view of the Allier and transports you to the left bank.

It's a real invitation to take a break alongside the fishermen who keep the Talon drink alive with its unique atmosphere, silences and smells. Halfway between nature and developed banks, the Boucle des Isles brings you back to civilization via the well-tended allotment gardens of Bellerive-sur-Allier, just a stone's throw from an 80-year-old black poplar. After a few meters, your olfactory senses will be awakened by the many restaurants offering incredible waterside terraces. The rest of the route takes you back to Vichy's majestic parks, where you can take a break, cool off on the beach or try your hand at the water sports on offer all summer long on Lac d'Allier. Along the way, in addition to shaded picnic areas, you can rent bikes in Abrest at the Cabane à vélo, which has set up a store along the route. Other bike rentals are available in the city center: in front of the Pôle universitaire (Vivelo˝), at Fun Loisirs in Vichy, at Cycl'Expresso in Bellerive-sur-Allier and at Gaillardin in Vichy.