Exploring Isserpent, Allier, Auvergne

On the foothills of the Bourbonnaise Mountain, a diversified route through nature and historical heritage. You will evolve through large woods with varied species, herds of Salers and Charolais, a beautiful pond, streams, castles...

In the foothills of the Montagne Bourbonnaise, this shady trail offers a wide range of discoveries. Sometimes in the shade of the woods, sometimes under the open sky, you will enjoy discovering the historical and industrial heritage of Isserpent, the plant species and the viewpoints.

This pleasant hiking itinerary leads between valleys and high points. This walk offers a great variety of landscapes: various viewpoints, agricultural landscapes, waterways, cultural heritage. You won't have time to get bored!

Enjoy this family tour and discover the cultural and natural heritage of Saint-Christophe and Saint-Etienne-de-Vicq.

Spend a rich day discovering the heritage of the village of Le Breuil: its landscapes, its fauna and flora, its economic activity, its History, its originalities... The "Gueules noires" is the nickname given to the inhabitants of Le Breuil. Its origin would come from the activity that the villagers carried out: the manufacture of charcoal from the bower. On the way, you will find forests of hardwoods (oaks, chestnut trees...), you will overhang the meanders of the Besbre river which takes its source in Montoncel; as well as the picturesque bell towers of our villages of which the magnificent one of the church of Châtel Montagne.

This route winds from cross to cross, along the paths and tracks of the commune of Le Breuil. It was inspired by the restoration of 20 crosses by members of the Amis du Patrimoine association, the commune of Le Breuil and volunteers.

Le Breuil overflows with cultural heritage, anecdotes and nature : you will be surprised by the village richness ! Ancient seigniorial chapel, St Anne's church (12th century) is unmissable with the tombstone of Alix de Breuil (1300) and other curiosities.

This shady botanical path crosses the river Besbre and offers information about familiar plant varieties (trees, shrubs, bushes) and birds of Montagne Bourbonnaise. Departure : town center or locality "la Chaize".

This plain is the ideal place for a restful stopover, as its host, the curlew, testifies: it likes to rest and eat here. Strolling through this plain is an opportunity to stroll between industrial and cultural heritage, between natural wealth and landscapes transformed by agriculture, close to the Bourbonnaise Mountain.

On the way to the Châtel-Montagne hydroelectric power station, the surrounding forests take you back to the history of the Second World War. During the Second World War, some local youngsters hid at night and slept in these woods to avoid being arrested and sent to Germany to work. During the day, they worked in the fields and could, if necessary, declare a false identity.

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. Housed in an old barn of the 15th century, near the castle of Verseilles, this fully renovated cottage has retained its authenticity by combining the modern and the ancient, it is surrounded by a natural, and flowery garden pleasant with views over the rolling countryside, a pond for fishing... DRC: Kitchen, dining area, living room, 1 bedroom (2 twin beds 80 x 200), 1 bedroom (1 bed 160 x 200 cm), shower room, wc. Ideally located 30 km from the Gorges of Sioule, the Montagne Bourbonnaise, dela Valley its castles and the Besbre. Pool owners to provision according to timetables. Close to Vichy for all sports and leisure (12 km).

Discovery with a federal activity leader (equipment included)

3 training orienteerings : mini-trek (2 km), medium trek (4 km) and maxi trek (7 km). Mandatory martphone, safety jacket and light. For all.

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.

With its yard in front of the house, this charming small house is situated nearby the town center.

Organised by the Jardins de Bel Air association in partnership with the tourist office to open the local farmers' market.

Discovery with a federal activity leader (equipment included)

Isolated house for a festive weekend.

By théâtre des Ilets - CDN Montluçon.

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).

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...

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.

15th century castle, visible from outside.

The tower of this romanesque church is circular on a square plan. The choir and its capitals are romanesque.

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 !

Guided visit of the collection of more than 150 pieces. The association AVAIA unites fans of old civil and military pieces of machinery : trucks, tractors, machines ans buses exhibition.

This 3 ha park in the town center, by the river Besbre, consists of a formal garden and a landscaped garden, separated by waterfall effect ponds. Created in 1936, it has 95 essences, including more than 20 noteworthy trees and peonies.

12th-century chapel. Many miracles would have taken place here. To see : a niche with a relic of the cross and 3 statues (Madonna and a child, Saint-Augustine and Saint-Nicolas).

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.

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

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

Situated on a rest area in the nice, warm and relaxing surroudings of a landscape garden and a pond.

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).

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

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

Great and quiet holiday house with a pleasant view.

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

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.

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.

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. Housed in an old barn of the 15th century, near the castle of Verseilles, this fully renovated cottage has retained its authenticity by combining the modern and the ancient, it is surrounded by a natural, and flowery garden pleasant with views over the rolling countryside, a pond for fishing... DRC: Kitchen, dining area, living room, 1 bedroom (2 twin beds 80 x 200), 1 bedroom (1 bed 160 x 200 cm), shower room, wc. Ideally located 30 km from the Gorges of Sioule, the Montagne Bourbonnaise, dela Valley its castles and the Besbre. Pool owners to provision according to timetables. Close to Vichy for all sports and leisure (12 km).

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

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

By the Besbre river and a 3 ha floral park, near the town centre, half-shady campsite with numerous equipment. Camper vans services (emptying and water) in town centre.

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.

Quiet house with small garden and near shops, swimming-pool and sporting installations.