Explore Chatel-montagne, Allier: Auvergne's Hidden Gem

From Châtel-Montagne, enjoy the surrounding forest. Starting from Châtel-Montagne and its 12th-century Romanesque church, discover the remains of the Montmorillon keep, then continue on to the Pourrière stele honoring the maquisards of the Second World War. From here, you'll have an exceptional panoramic view of the Auvergne mountains.

Departure from Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs or Châtel-Montagne. This long loop invites you to discover many of the Montagne Bourbonnaise's key sites, including the Allee des Géants with its centuries-old beech trees, the Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs peat bog, and the Plateau de la Verrerie with its panoramic views, which on a clear day will reveal the Mont Blanc massif to the luckiest of visitors!

Trail no. 13, labelled Uni'Vert Trail by the Fédération Française d'Athlétisme, 13.7km from Châtel-Montagne. Starting from Châtel-Montagne and its 12th-century Romanesque church, this moderately demanding circuit takes you to the Puy du Roc, from where a superb panorama of the Auvergne mountains awaits you. During your run, you'll also pass the pretty Saint-Clément lake and dam.

With its Auvergne and Cluniac influences, the remarkable Romanesque church of Châtel-Montagne overlooks the Besbre valley. In the past, Châtel-Montagne controlled one of the routes linking the valleys of the Loire and the Allier. The route offers a remarkable panorama on the mountains of Auvergne and divides between various villages, in particular that of Chargueraud of very old origin.

Departure from Châtel-Montagne and its 12th-century Romanesque church. From Châtel-Montagne, with its 12th-century Romanesque church, head for the ancient village of Chargueraud. Then head for the Puy du Roc, where an exceptional panorama of the Auvergne mountains awaits you.

Departure from Châtel-Montagne and its 12th-century Romanesque church. Be sure to visit the local producers between the villages of Nizerolles and Pouthier. Share a moment with the Guguss of Saint-Clément and enjoy a stopover at the lake. Travel back in time to discover the ruins of Château de Montgilbert in Ferrières-sur-Sichon.

This very wild itinerary from Châtel-Montagne and its 12th-century Romanesque church plunges you into the steep forests of the Montagne Bourbonnaise and offers an exceptional panorama from the summit of Puy du Roc.

From Châtel-Montagne, take the Moulin Châtel road and enjoy the surrounding countryside. Stop off at the orientation table covering the old fluorite mine and admire the panoramic view over the Montagne Bourbonnaise before reaching the village of Nizerolles. Don't forget to relax at the Saint-Clément lake before you arrive.

Don't miss the visit of Chatel-Montage romanic church. Explore the forests of the Montagne Bourbonnaise and discover the village of Charguerauds nestled in the heart of the mountains.

A 3.5 km circuit to discover the natural and cultural heritage of Châtel-Montagne, with riddles to find along the way. Accessible to children and adults. Questionnaire for the Chemin d'étonnement available from the Maison du Patrimoine.

The team at the lake offers water sports activities. Stand-up paddle (we do not give lessons). We provide all equipment and safety instructions.

15th-century renovated barn, authentic, which combines modern and old properties. It is surrounded by a flowered garden, with a viexwon the rolling countryside and a lake for fishing.

Nestled at the heart of grenn nature, the site is outside of time to relax and enjoy nature peacefully : fishing pond, forets, hammock, natural pool, beautiful hikings.

Large group gîte for 15 to 20 people. Access to the natural swimming pool. Option to eat at Chez Sam restaurant (200m away).

La Marguetière is a quiet, restful spot surrounded by trees in a green setting on the heights of Andelaroche. The 5-hectare estate offers a range of activities, accommodation and restaurants.

By the Besbre river and a 3 ha floral park, near the town centre, half-shady campsite with 6 chalets.

This romantic and bohemian gypsy caravan offers charming and comfortable holidays by the Besbre river and a 3 ha floral park, near the town centre, on an half-shady campsite with numerous equipment.

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 *)

See where the wind takes you with Alice, who is looking for her father. With your family or with friends, solve the riddles and discover Pays de Lapalisse cultural heritage. App available for download on the App Store and via the web link for Android (temporarily enable unknown sources in your settings before installing the downloaded apk file).

This digital museum brings together hundreds of masterpieces from many international institutions, using interactive devices to create an immersive experience that fuses art, technology and culture. New programme and events every month. La Micro-Folie is a digital cultural venue due to open in 2023. Located in Lapalisse town centre, it is open to the public free of charge. Discover a different programme of art, science and heritage events every month, thanks to partnerships with leading French and international cultural institutions. Navigate from one work to the next using a giant screen, tablets or virtual reality headsets. Finally, come out of the virtual world in the activities area, where you can read books, play games and try out creative workshops on the same theme. Throughout your visit, a cultural mediator will be on hand to answer your questions and help you use the equipment.

Free visit thanks to information boards. The old slaughterhouse was restored in 2005 to present an exhibition about the town History, cultural and architectural heritage : church, character houses, mills...

This is a well covered with a roof from the 17th century. The site was named after the passage of the famous thief Louis Mandrin on December 22nd 1754 through Le Breuil hostel. He attacked policemen but succeded to flee.

Free visit with a leaflet. This church is an ancient seigniorial chapel (12th century). It was restored and welcome 3 stained-glass windows of the demolished Saint-Blaise chruch. Tosee : architectural elements and the tombstone of Alix de Breuil (1300).

Lively guided visit (twinned wheels, miller's bedroom, machines) about the live into the mill and its develoment from 1825 until our time. The mill is situated at the bottom of Montagne Bourbonnaise and by the river Barbenan. Charm and authenticity aren't be lacking !

15th century castle, visible from outside.

In the 4th century, St Martin discovered this healing spring near to a menhir representing Ana, the goddess of creation.

Mound built in honour of the soldiers of the Estern army, after the fall of Fort Malakoff and the taking of Sabestopol during the Crimean War.

Free vivit with leaflets. The large church from the 11th and 12th centuries has 3-rib-bay nave. To see : the southern chapel and 2 capitals at the entrance

Cuisine from near and far. Customised meals available on request. Grocery shop.

Bar-restaurant offering workers' menus. General food, FDJ and themed evenings at weekends. Wednesday: frogs' legs; Thursday: calf's head; Friday: chips and prawns flambéed in whisky.

Situated near Lapalisse town center, on the Road N7. Frindeliness and love of good food garanteed ! Tarditional and refined cooking in a vintage atmosphere.

A cosy bar-restaurant where homemade food is king, right down to the charcuterie. Chef Benoît trained as a pork butcher and caterer.

Real meeting place between consumers and local producers, the restaurant proposes beef meat specialities from the "sensiculture". On site, pond, hiking and accomodation.

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.

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

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

Traditional cooking with local products.

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

18th-century arge house with its centenarian trees park. Sunbathing, nap in the shade of a horse chestnut, soothed by song of the birds... Relaxation and serenity garanteed.

Great and quiet holiday house with a pleasant view.

Settled in a centenarian trees park of a 18th-century large house. Sunbathing, nap in the shade of a horse chestnut, soothed by song of the birds... Relaxation and serenity garanteed.

Large holiday house (130m²) in the bourbonnaise countryside, situated near a farm, near a large pond which offers the possibility of fishing, and near hiking pathes, le Pal and historic sites

Quiet and shady meadow, nearby the animals. Guided visit and alone, farm shop.

Renovated old farm on Droiturier heights, with a wonderful view on Montagne Bourbonnaise.

Renovated old farm on Droiturier heights, with a wonderful view on Montagne Bourbonnaise.

15th-century renovated barn, authentic, which combines modern and old properties. It is surrounded by a flowered garden, with a viexwon the rolling countryside and a lake for fishing.

Small campsite in the country with an incredible view on Montagne Bourbonnaise and Chaîne des Puys

Nestled at the heart of grenn nature, the site is outside of time to relax and enjoy nature peacefully : fishing pond, forets, hammock, natural pool, beautiful hikings.