Saint Nicolas des Biefs is the higher village of the Allier : located at 930 meters above the sea level. The Plateau de la Verrerie ( ranged Natura 2000 ) and its beech trees pathway are must-see sights.
We can still find in the diversion bays ( small streams crossing the fields ) glass shards of several hundreds years. More informations : 04 70 56 49 15.
At Saint Nicolas, there is a micro brewery « Saint Nicolas Da Bière » who offers a tasting and a sale of its products. Remember to call before going to make sure that Nicolas will be there to receive you. Phone. 06 42 95 70 58.
Musée des verriers de Saint Nicolas des Biefs. In this museum you will learn the story of Saint Nicolas glassmakers who who spent several decades in “ la Verrerie “ and some beautiful pieces of glassware.
The Loge des Gardes ski resort at 6 km from the campsite
The Loge des Gardes ski resort is open during the summer and offers grass-gliding activities for all ages ( bobsleigh, tubby, kart and scooters ) as well as zip-lines, a slide in the trees, electric quads for children, nature trails, paragliding, disc golf, mini golf...
Vichy Aventure offers rafting, canoeing, paintball and other activities on the banks of the Allier
La Ferme aux Cabris invites you to discover its goat breeding doing some activities with animals.
Product tasting On-site.
In Saint-Clément, the leisure park offers different activities on the lake or around like a tree top adventure for exemple.
Buffalo breeding and meat tasting.
Le Moulin Goutaudier, in Saint Nicolas district invites you to discover its trout breeding and to fish your meal if you wish.
More information : 06 70 96 78 36
Do not forget to spend a day at Vulcania, an theme park on volcanoes and sciences.
The Roanne coast has several vineyards to visit and charming small villages to visit :
- Ambierie: its abbey and its priory
- Le Crozet and its medieval houses
- La Pacaudière and its “ Petit Louvre “
- Saint Haon le Châtel and its treasure hunt
- Saint Alban les Eaux and its springs park
- Saint André d’Apchon and its church
and many other sites to discover,… brochure at the reception.
An optical phenomenon related with the shape of the landscape gives you the impression that the road goes down when it goes up !
If you want to have fun thinking you are Einstein, bring some rolling objects with you !
The leisure park at the bottom of the Renaison Dams near Roanne offers a mini golf an outside bowling, donkey rides..and a shaded terrace where you can have an ice cream or a drink.
Ferrières sur Sichon is a small village near the Mayet de Montagne where you can visit the ruins of Montgilbert Castle, La Grotte aux fées ( fairy cave ) and the museum of Glozel (archaeological site) : 04 70 41 12 96
Tourist Office of Mayet de Montagne : 04 70 59 38 40
In Arfeuille, the Barbenan river turns to several waterfalls including the Pisserote waterfall. It’s better to go there with good weather conditions. Several paths take you there, from a 40 minutes to 3 hours walk.
A Chatel-Montagne, is a small village located about 12 kilometers from the campsite, where you can visit a wonderful 11th century Romanesque church, the heritage house offering exhibitions throughout the year and meet some arts craftsmen.
Phone : 04 70 59 37 89
Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice sur Loire, awarded “ village de caractère “, invites you to stroll in its picturesque narrow streets. Unique panoramic views on the Loire !
Plains buffalos straight out of prehistory
Aux Cimes de Bécajat , is a tree top adventure park near Roanne in the Loire.
La Vallée riding center farm located in Le Breuil in the Allier offers pony or horse riding
Le Pal is a theme park and a wildlife park, located in the heart on Auvergne ideal for family entertainment.
Paléopolis is a paleontologic theme park in the Allier. A journey of 4 billion years awaits you with exhibitions, workshops and animations
Leisure park on the bank of Mayet de Montagne water/ Saint Clément in the Allier, in the heart of the Bourbon mountain
Activities for young people ( 11-17 years old ) in the nature (hiking, climbing, snowshoes walking...)
In Saint Rirand, in a place called Bécajat you will find another tree top adventure and a buffalo farm.
Phone: 04 77 65 76 88.
In Mayet de Montagne, the house of the mountain will show you all type of product made in the Bourbonnais mountain like painting, typical small object… jams, cheeses, delicatessen...and many other things. Phone: 04 70 59 75 24
There is also a nice outdoor pool, Phone: 04 70 41 06 33.
And on monday morning the traditional market.
In Lavoine, a charming little village with several walking trails, a water sawmill, the wood and forest house and a magnificent water time machine almost unique in the world.
In Lapalisse, located about 40 km from the campsite, you can visit the beautiful castle of Jacques II de Chabanne where a light and sound show is organized some evenings. Informations : www.spectacle-lapalisse.com.
The town of Lapalisse is located on the famous national road 7 and organizes reconstructions of traffic jams with vintage cars and dressed up people.
In Vichy and Cusset about 45 km from the campsite, you can find all kind of shops and some places to visit like the underground museum of Cusset, thermal establishments, springs, parks, the opera in Vichy…).
Informations :
tourist office of Cusset : 04 70 30 95 24
tourist office of Vichy : 0 825 77 10 10.
In Dompierre sur Besbre, you can enjoy a day in the theme and wildlife park : Le Pal is the first french theme park ! Thrills for some and relaxing for other watching the animals.
Monday : Le Mayet de Montagne
Tuesday: Le Donjon et Varennes sur Allier
Wednesday: Arfeuilles, Jaligny et Vichy
Thursday: Lapalisse
Vendredi: Saint Germain des fossés
Saturday: Renaison, Cusset, Dompierre, Bellerive sur Allier
The lake of Villerest propose :
- water park
- water activities
- boat trips on the Loire
Informations : 06.09.54.80.12
Nearby, discover the castle of La Roche overlooking the Loire.
Informations : 04 77 64 97 68
Roanne is an old industrial city. You can find there the fine arts and archeology Déchelette Museum, a theater, several typical churches and a yacht harbour on the Loire. It has also a swimming pool and a ice rink.
The gastronomic specialty of Roanne is the Praluline, a brioche with pralines made by the famous chocolatier François Pralus ( always imitated and never equaled ! ).
To taste absolutely (Pralus shop at the Renaison halls).
Clermont-Ferrand its Michelin factories and museum. The Michelin adventure in family !
Moulins, the prefecture of the Allier offers several museums to visit :
The CNCS : National Center of Stage Costume presents a permanent exhibition about Nureyev and several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Informations : 04 70 20 76 20.
The MIJ : Museum of Youth Illustration offers a collection of original illustrations for young people from the 1950s to the present day as well as temporary exhibitions. Informations : 04 70 35 72 58
The MAB : the Anne de Beaujeu Museum presents art and archeology collections. Informations : 04 70 20 48 47
The Mantin house show you the bourgeois interior of a 19th century house. Informations : 04 70 20 48 47
The Dukes of Bourbon castle is also open to visitors. Informations : 04 70 20 48 47
