The Via Allier, the Auvergne cycle route

Do you want to explore Auvergne by bike, between wild nature, thermal heritage, and characterful villages? Follow a cycle route that follows the Allier River 455 km, from Nevers to Langogne, through exceptional landscapes.

The Via Allier, a cycling route between volcanoes and the Loire valley

The Via Allier stretches 455 km along the Loire River, crossing Auvergne from north to south, following the Allier River. From Nevers, it extends to the foothills of Lozère. The route follows the river, using rehabilitated old railway lines, small shared roads, and even sections of greenways in Auvergne. It is marked for most of its length and generally runs from north to south, following the river’s current.

Starting from Nevers, a town of art and history, the cycle route crosses the Allier department, passing through Moulins, Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, and Vichy. Further south, the route enters the Puy-de-Dôme region, where the landscape becomes a little more volcanic: Issoire, Brioude, Langeac, then Langogne, with its final stop at the foot of the Margeride.

This accessible route alternates between gentle valleys, vineyard hillsides, and steeper sections in the Allier Gorges. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the Via Allier by bike, with a diversity of landscapes rarely matched in a single region. For independent cyclists, online tools allow you to calculate your route based on the stages, elevation gain, and available accommodation. It takes 8 to 14 days to complete the Via Allier, planning between 30 and 60 km per day.

The must-sees on La Via Allier

Cultural and natural discoveries follow one another along the Via Allier:

• Nevers : The starting point of the route, this historic town on the Loire à Vélo (Loire à Vélo) captivates with its cathedral, pottery factories, and landscaped quays.
• Moulins : The former capital of the Bourbons, a city of art with the National Center for Stage Costume.
• Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule : For wine lovers.
• Vichy : A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the “queen of spa towns” is a key stop for cycling enthusiasts and those interested in spa architecture.
• Issoire and Brioude : Two towns with remarkable Romanesque abbeys, combining sacred art and a southern atmosphere.
• Allier Gorges : More challenging sections, through unspoiled nature, between cliffs, forests, and rivers.
• Langogne : the final stop on the itinerary, the gateway to Lozère and Gévaudan.

Sites not to be missed on your journey:

• Le Bec d’Allier, between the Loire and Allier rivers.
• Apremont-sur-Allier, a flower-filled village ranked among the most beautiful in France.
• The Allier Valley National Nature Reserve, where you can observe migratory birds.
• The Royal Estate of Randan and its English-style gardens.
• The picturesque village of Châteldon, renowned for its mineral waters.
• The Allier Valley Eco-Center, an environmental awareness site.
• The Gergovie Plateau, a historic site of the Gallic Wars.
• The Chilhac volcanic site and its impressive basalt columns.
• Lake Naussac, a vast reservoir ideal for water sports and rejuvenation.

Cycle routes connected to La Via Allier

The Via Allier is connected to several other cycle routes including:

• The Loire by Bike : starting in Nevers. It is precisely at the Bec d’Allier that the route intersects with the Loire by Bike from Nevers to the Atlantic.
• EuroVelo 6 : From the Rhine to the Atlantic by bike, from Basel-Mulhouse to Saint-Brevin, EuroVelo 6 is one of the easiest cycle routes in France.
• Via Fluvia : To the southeast, around Langogne, connections are possible to this greenway linking the Loire to the Rhône Valley, ideal for exploring the Haute-Loire and Ardèche regions.

Other cycle routes currently under development will soon be connected to the Via Allier. If you are planning other tours, don’t hesitate to discover our selection of cycling tours on cycling maps and guides in France or Europe and tours already created by our agency La Bicyclette Verte.