Explore Saint-leon, Allier, Auvergne: A Hidden Gem

A very diversified and hilly hiking trail between nature and small rural heritage. The itinerary crosses large woods with various species populated by numerous deer. A washhouse, a fountain, a pond, a waterfall, rivers and springs decorate the very hilly landscape.

This circuit forms a loop of 67 kilometers allowing to discover in a peaceful and bucolic atmosphere a heritage built around 7 castles.

Explore the Pierrefitte-sur-Loire circuit. From the START sign: join the road from Pierrefitte to Saligny, turn left towards the village, cross the Canal, cross the Departmental 779 and continue straight; - Go along the Degands, turn right towards the wastewater treatment plant; - At the crossroads, go to the Moulin de Loddes then Les Boisseaux; - Near Les Boisseaux, turn left then right to cross a few boires; - Turn right to join the old path of the Bac de la Bourse; - Turn right then take the Perré des Boisseaux straight ahead, admire the Chevrette viewpoint and at Les Cornus turn right towards the Chevaliers; - Turn left on Chemin de la Loire and turn right before Les Mouilleaux; - After Les Buissons, turn left on Chemin des Boisseaux, walk along the church square, cross the D779 and join the Voie Verte straight ahead via the rue du canal; - Take the green lane to the right as far as the Saligny road bridge; - After the bridge, go up on it then join the ARRIVAL: the beach car park.

This loop is made to explore the woods of the Sologne bourbonnaise area. You will also discover the pond of Chapeau, furnished to spend good time with your family. This 6,4km loop is recommended for both the little ones and the big ones. Starting from Chapeau, take the small wooded roads that go along the castle de la ""Cour en Chapeau"" whose alternation of black and red bricks is characteristic of Bourbon architecture. Continue and cross along the nice trees in ""Bois des Genévriers"". Then come back to Chapeau and its six hectare lake. Take a moment to enjoy the place, arranged and maintained in order to make you spend good moments with your familly : take a walk around the pond, discover the pleasure of fishing or take a sit on one of the picnic tables to eat while enjoying the rural setting.

This loop goes accross the roads and path of the Sologne bourbonnaise area and leads to the Hippogriffe Animal Park. At the end of the ride, you will have the chance to enjoy relaxing near the pond of Chapeau. This 19,3km long loop is recommended for children over the age of ten, occasional cyclists and cycling enthusiasts. Departing from Chapeau, take the road that crosses the land of the Sologne bourbonnaise dotted with ponds and enter the pretty wood of Chapeau. Follow the path to the wood ""Bois de Chamardon"" to the Hippogriffe Wildlife Park. Nestled in its lush greenery, this park offers visitors the chance to discover more than 70 species of raptors and 15 horse breeds. Continue on your way to Thiel-sur-Acolin by taking beautiful little roads and paths. Then come back to Chapeau and its water body. Take the time to enjoy the place: stroll around the lake, discover the pleasures of fishing or sit at one of the picnic tables for lunch or taste while enjoying the beauty of this bucolic setting.

Make the most of this walk along the River Besbre and discover the countryside around Lapalisse.

Discover the remains of the famous holiday route. The route can be shortened via Droiturier. Possible to rent e-bikes at the tourist office.

From the centre of Lapalisse, between town and coutryside, you will discover unknown natural aspects of Lapalisse.

Large character house situated in the centre of 40 wild ha, close to its owners's farm. Perfect to practise outside activities and share friendly family moments.

Situated at 10 km from Lapalisse, this quiet, green and shady campsite is next to a lake (fishing possible). Nearby : swimming-pool, tennis, hiking paths.

Situated at 10 km from Lapalisse, this quiet, green and shady campsite is next to a lake (fishing possible). Nearby : swimming-pool, tennis, hiking paths. 3 chalets of which one for disabled people.

In the heart of the rolling countryside of the Allier, right in the centre of France, La Vigne et le Chardon is the perfect place to stop off. Come and take a break to relax, enjoy a meal and soak up the sun.

Home with an enjoyable enclosed garden with view on rolling countryside. Welcoming horseriders possible.

Comfortable and spacious cottage settled in an old farm building, close to an old mill. Nearby : a pond (possibility of fishing), waterfall.

Comfortable and spacious cottage settled in an old farm building, close to an old mill. Nearby : a pond (possibility of fishing), waterfall.

Renovated bourbonnaise house in the countryside, near the owners' house, Lapalisse and its attractions. Hiking paths departure (on foot, by bike or mountain bike). Bourbonnais house renovated in the countryside and close to the home of the owners. Ground floor/floor: Kitchenette, dining area, living room, fireplace, shower/wc. Floor: mezzanine (1 BZ 1 pers.), 1 bedroom (1 bed 2 pers., 1 bed 1 pers), shower/wc. electric heating. Large terrace. Access to the infrastructure of the owners under agreement (swimming pool, playground, playground games. * pets allowed subject to conditions - see with the owners *)

Nearby town centre and activities. Perfect for a couple.

Guided tour (except on Sundays) and by reservation only. Romanesque building with a large nave ending in the east with a projecting transept on which opens a semi-circular apse lit by three windows framed by columns. The triangular tympanum, in the form of a frame, presents the Paschal Lamb surrounded by plant motifs, notably foliage. The whole is surmounted by a cross. It may be an emblem of the Templars. The porch has been classified as MH since 1933.

Free visit. Lively and attractive presentation of the fauna and flora of the Besbre River and its environment, through 10,000 litres of aquariums to observe fish and freshwater crayfish. The visit is punctuated by fun interactive manipulations. A sensory nature garden around the willow and a video projection complete the visit. Easy access for people with reduced mobility. Temporary exhibitions, thematic workshops, treasure hunt, ...

Self-guided tour with document. Guided tour on request. This 11th century church is composed of a nave of three bays with side aisles and a choir partly from the 11th century on which opens a large apse redone in the 18th century. The bell tower was rebuilt in the 19th century. Inside: a stone statue from the end of the 15th century representing Saint Barbara draped in a large cloak; the Good Shepherd, a stone statue; Saint John the Baptist in stone from the 15th century; a Virgin of Pity from the 15th century and a Virgin and Child from the 16th century; a copper crucifix, with enamel, mounted on a foot from the 17th century and adorned with a statuette of the Virgin in silver-plated copper (listed as MH).

Free visit of the exteriors. Beauvoir is discovered at the bend of a path. A beautiful French garden (ISMH) is the setting for this 14th century castle (ISMH), built in the 15th century. It was occupied by the English truck during the Hundred Years War, then taken over by Louis II of Bourbon. The 18th century orangery and the pavilion have been restored into reception rooms which can respectively accommodate up to 300 and 90 seated guests as well as 450 people under the cocktail awning (access to the garden is closed during receptions).

Free visit with a leaflet and information board. Romanesque church from the 11th century. To see : square tower (ancient keep), nave and 4 capitals.

Free visit. The village developed around a priory of Cluniac foundation which disappeared in the 15th century. The neo-Romanesque church was built at the end of the 19th century (1876-1878) and replaces a Romanesque church demolished in 1862. It is dedicated to Saint Martin in memory of the former priory which depended since 1268 on the Saint Martin de Nevers abbey.

Free visit of the exterior on the path along the moat and the park. Guided tour of the interiors on prior request from 7 people. Sitting at the entrance to the village coming from Diou, the Château de Saligny (ISMH) welcomes you. Once you have crossed the bridge which spans the moat, which is still in water, your gaze is on the oldest part, the Lourdins tower dominating the castle which dates from the 14th, 17th, 17th and 19th centuries. Renaissance pink sandstone dormers adorn the facade overlooking the moat. Beautiful outbuildings.

Free visit with document. The parish, which was part of the old diocese of Clermont, was, under the Ancien Régime, under the control of the abbot of Mozat. This building of Romanesque period was very reworked over the centuries. It has a nave of three bays covered by a roof structure that ends in the east with a semi-circular apse with a barrel vault. The triumphal arch, supported by pilasters, is topped by a small window. A wall-belfry with four bays rises in front of the apse. The facade, modern, is designed in Romanesque style. To see inside: a procession cross in silvered copper from the end of the 15th century; a stained glass window dedicated to Joan of Arc illuminates the building; a Virgin of Pity from the 15th century and a Virgin and Child from the 16th century.

Free admission to the park of the 12th, 15th and 16th-century château from April to October. Set in woods and lawns, the château is an irregular pentagon flanked by five towers of varying angles. The enclosures and walkways are intact. ISMH.

Isolated little chapel from the 20th century.

Near the town centre, this 1854-mill by the river Besbre welcomes an inn. Its rooms decoration and local and seasonal cuisine will seduce you. Fishing on site, walks and hikes from the hotel.

Elegant building of the 19th century near the castle. Local cuisine.

Situated near the acstle, this bar restaurant snack proposes takeaway salads, hamburgers, platefuls, pizzas, meat, local products.

Traditional cooking with local products.

Pizzeria situated in town centre

Semi-gastronomic home-cooked cuisine from A to Z based on traditional revisited dishes.

In a vintage room, enjoy this bar at the foot of the castle. It proposes snacking.

Bar-restaurant with a warm, friendly atmosphere, with a terrace at the front and one at the back, where you can relax and enjoy yourself. Suggestion: beef rib (meat from France, home-made chips cooked in beef fat...).

In front of the castle, have a break and feast with our local products. Reservation advised. Theme evenings (see social networks).

Home-made biscuits. Grocery shop, patisserie, roastery, bar and tearoom. Monthly workshops on homemade and 0-waste products. Free knitting and sewing sessions on Thursday afternoons.

Free natural area, without reservation and free. Shaded in the countryside with panoramic view and orientation table. Free camping.

Large character house situated in the centre of 40 wild ha, close to its owners's farm. Perfect to practise outside activities and share friendly family moments.

Free machine for draining and water.

Situated at 10 km from Lapalisse, this quiet, green and shady campsite is next to a lake (fishing possible). Nearby : swimming-pool, tennis, hiking paths.

Situated at 10 km from Lapalisse, this quiet, green and shady campsite is next to a lake (fishing possible). Nearby : swimming-pool, tennis, hiking paths. 3 chalets of which one for disabled people.

Situated at 10 km from Lapalisse, this quiet, green and shady campsite is next to a lake (fishing possible). Nearby : swimming-pool, tennis, hiking paths.

In the heart of the rolling countryside of the Allier, right in the centre of France, La Vigne et le Chardon is the perfect place to stop off. Come and take a break to relax, enjoy a meal and soak up the sun.

Independant house situated in a quiet hamlet. View on Montagne Bourbonnaise. Rolling region perfect for hiking and cycling.

Home with an enjoyable enclosed garden with view on rolling countryside. Welcoming horseriders possible.

Town cottage at the first floor of the village hall.