www.auvergne-bike.com

AUVERGNE

NOUVEAU MONDE

IT’S TIME TO GO

TRAVELLING AGAIN

Bicycle rides and routes in Auvergne

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Paris

Clermont-Ferrand

Cartographie ACTUAL
Reproduction interdite
Numéro d'autorisation :
100-63/JMP/12-11

Departure point of cycle
round trip

Cycle routes

Crossing the volcano by bike
Enjoy the Loire Sauvage
(from Aurec-sur-Loire
to Le Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc)

Greenways

Diou / Digouin greenway
Montluçon to Néris-les-Bains
greenway
Sumène Artense greenway
Nord cévenole greenway
(Dunières / Riotord)
Le Puy-en-Velay greenway
Visit location

One of France's most
beautiful villages)

There are many

different routes

available in Auvergne, a num-

ber of which are specially suited

both for cycling and for family outings.

There are 85 circuits cyclotouristiques

(tourist cycling circuits), 150 km of bicycle

paths and 61 km of greenways that are open

for everyone to use, all in complete safety.

Bikes are an excellent way of getting round

Auvergne and discovering its natural,

cultural and gastronomic heritage.

Come and enjoy the delights of

Auvergne, at whatever pace

and in whatever style

you want!

www.auvergne-bike.com

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Not to be missed
in the Montagne Bourbonnaise

The Montagne Bourbonnaise is a mid-altitude moun-
tain range that conceals some amazing natural loca-
tions, trout-filled rivers and pretty villages among its
rolling hills…

Depart/Arrive:

Le Mayet-de-Montagne

Distance:

42 km

Duration:

3½ hours

Level:

medium

Altitude difference:

1,120 m

Les gorges de la Sioule

With wonderful undulating countryside, these fantastic,
steep gorges are looked over by Château Rocher and
the Châteaux de Chouvigny. There is a series of twists
and turns featuring different kinds of rocks. A pretty little
road winds down alongside the river, which is a real fi-
sherman’s paradise.

Depart/Arrive:

Ebreuil

Distance:

41 km

Duration:

3½ hours

Level:

difficult

Altitude difference:

930 m

Lakes in
the forêt de Tronçais

The Forêt de Tronçais is deemed to be Europe’s largest
oak grove, and it contains a great many sur-
prises for its visitors: amazing trees,
mysterious lakes, bellowing deer
and more. Le Circuit des Grands
Chênes by bike is a great way to
really enjoy this forest with your fa-
mily!

Depart/Arrive:

Cérilly

Distance:

41 km

Duration:

3½ hours

Level:

very easy

Altitude difference:

360 m

In the heart of
the Sologne
bourbonnaise

This outing takes you
to the heart of the
wonderful scenery of
the Sologne Bourbon-
naise, which fea-
tures, among other
things, various lakes
and huge plateaux.

Depart/Arrive:

Dompierre-sur-
Besbre

Distance:

52 km

Duration:

4¼ hours

Level:

easy

Altitude difference:

230 m

You can find details about these routes among the
24 available in the "L'Allier à vélo" cycling guide –
on sale in Tourist Offices.
Further information at:

www.allier-tourisme.com

Rides and routes
in northern Auvergne,

3

With its plains,

gently undulating

countryside and network

of small roads,

the Allier region is a wonderful

place for cycle rides

with the family.

Allier

A few ideas…

3

2

Family

mountain

biking in the

vineyards

of Saint-

Pourçain

Family montainbike

in the Forêt de

Tronçais

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Rides and routes in the heart
of Auvergne,

For people who

enjoy cycling,

the Puy-de-Dôme is a wonderful

place to criss-cross the country

roads and enjoy its scenery, villages

and history, with the wonderful backdrop

of one of the Tour de France’s most symbolic

peaks and the highest volcano in

Les Puys mountain chain, the famous

Puy de Dôme! You can now

get to the top of this mountain

all year round by train.

Puy-de-Dôme

A few ideas…

Tour du Sancy

This route provides a way of exploring the variety of
facets of the Massif du Sancy, using a mountain circuit
that is continuously above 1,000 m in altitude.

Depart/Arrive:

Besse

Distance:

76 km

Duration:

6½ hours

Level:

difficult

Altitude difference:

2,370 m

High plateaux,
peat bogs and pastures

The pastures of Le Cézallier extend from Le Sancy to
the Puy de Dôme. At its highest point, the hills form a
rolling landscape, like a silent and grass-covered swell
in a green expanse.

Depart/Arrive:

Murol (Château visit)

Distance:

80 km

Duration:

6 hours

Level:

Medium

Altitude difference:

2,060 m

Châteaux
and villages
of Le pays
de la reine Margot

You’ll be walking in the footsteps
of Queen Margot, who was exiled
in Auvergne for around 20 years.
And you’ll also have the opportunity
to visit Usson, listed as one
of Auvergne’s "Plus beaux villages
de France".

Depart/Arrive:

Sauxillanges

Distance:

62 km

Duration:

4½ hours

Level:

Medium

Altitude difference:

1,900 m

Rocks and water

Throughout your trip in the area surrounding La Chaîne
des Puys, you’ll be surrounded by water and rocks in
all their various forms: architecture, culture, canals,
fountains, springs and more.

Depart/Arrive:

Volvic (Visits to Volvic bottling

plant available)

Distance:

57 km

Duration:

4½ hours

Level:

easy

Altitude
difference:

1,210 m

You’ll find 12 cycle routes

in Puy-de-Dôme of all levels

for you to choose, to do

at your own pace, which you can download free
of charge at

www.planetepuydedome.

Cycling in the Massif du Sancy

Cycling - Puy de Dôme

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6

8

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Rides and routes
in south-west Auvergne

Their hills

and winding courses,

the landscapes through

which they pass

and the low traffic levels make

Cantal’s roads perfect

for cycling.

Cantal

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10

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La Piste Verte

Family route

La Piste Verte, which was created along the route of a
former railway line and which is reserved for non-mo-
torised traffic, means you can move freely along an
area of around 12 km, so you can get to the boundary
between Cantal and Corrèze, via the railway stations
of Ydes and Saignes. At Ydes, a rental centre (roller-
blades and mountain bikes), which is located in the for-
mer Ydes/Champagnac station, is open every summer.

For further information :

go to www.sumene-artense.com

La vallée de la Truyère

Leaving from the town of Saint-Flour, in an area steeped in
history and art, you then go down into Les Gorges de la
Truyère, with its imposingly beautiful natural landscape. You
will pass beneath the splendid Garabit viaduct (Gustave Eif-
fel’s masterpiece), and on to the Château d'Alleuze, enjoying
various panoramic viewpoints over Les Gorges de la Truyère.
A truly wonderful route for discovering one of the finest
regions in Cantal.

Depart/Arrive:

Saint-Flour

Distance:

59 km

Duration:

4 hours 55 minutes

Level:

medium

Altitude difference:

1,000 m

Le Pays de la Gentiane

From Riom-ès-Montagnes to Apchon, where you’ll find
some remains from the Hundred Years War, you’ll carry
on towards Cheylade, where you really should stop off
at the Roman church. At Le Claux, beneath Le Puy
Mary (1,787m), you’ll take the Dienne road which, via
Cézallier, twists round for the return journey, from Sé-
gur-les-Villas towards Marchastel, a migrant village.

Depart/Arrive:

Riom-ès-Montagnes

Distance:

75 km

Duration:

6¼ hours

Level:

difficult

Altitude difference:

1,050 m

La Grande Traversée du Volcan

Between the Val d’Allier and the Vallée du Lot, why not
come and try the Monts du Cantal crossing?
With a route totalling more than 150 km, this cycle route
winds between the gorges, high plateaux and volcanoes
in a wonderful natural setting. Having been specially
adapted for bicycle touring, this route is perfect for im-
mersing yourself in the depths of the regions it covers.
Throughout this route, you’ll find specially-adapted ac-
commodation and restaurants, as well as bicycle rental
and repair outlets.

Steps:

Allanche, Mandailles,

Aurillac, Maurs

Distance:

150 km

Duration:

2 to 4 days

Level:

medium

Altitude difference:

2,369 m

Details can be downloaded free of charge
at www.cantaltourisme.fr

Cycling on the Puy Mary

Further information available at:

www.rando.cantal.fr

and

www.cantaltourisme.fr

A few ideas…

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Rides and routes
in south-eastern Auvergne,

Haute-Loire

is one of the top French

departments for cycling.

Come and enjoy cycling

among the unusual volcanic

landscapes and beneath

the shade of the oak

and Scots pine forests.

Haute-Loire

A few ideas…

6

Saint-Pierre-du-Champ

You certainly won’t want for fresh air in these high re-
gions with amazing panoramic views over the mountains
of Mézenc, Meygal and Lizieux! And if you feel like it,
you can take a refreshing dip in the Arzon River which
flows along the foot of the gorges.

Depart/Arrive:

Saint-Pierre-du-Champ

Distance:

18 km

Duration:

1¾ hours

Level:

easy (accessible for children ages 8 and over)

Altitude difference:

347 m

Brioude

Châteaux, religious buildings, dovecotes, timber-built
houses and handmade lace are just some of the artistic
and historical attractions of the Haut-
Allier.

Depart/Arrive:

Brioude

Distance:

62.5 km

Duration:

3½ hours

Level:

medium

Altitude difference:

949 m

Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid

Having enjoyed your whole trip by bike, don’t forget to
try all sorts of regional produce when you come back to
Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, the region’s gastronomic capital.

Depart/Arrive:

Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid

Distance:

69.5 km

Duration:

3¼ hours

Level:

medium

Altitude difference:

1,153 m

« Vivez la Loire sauvage »

The wilderness of the Loire by bike! How about a 300km
trip (there and back) that you can divide up among the
pretty roads of Les Gorges de la Loire? Cycle all the
way up to Mont Gerbier, at an altitude of 1,400 m. All
the more attractive because of the downhill return jour-
ney! So much to discover on the pretty and unusual
roads of Les Gorges de la Loire!

Depart/Arrive:

Aurec-sur-Loire

Distance:

157 km

Duration:

2 to 4 days

Level:

medium

Altitude difference:

3,985 m

You’ll find 16 cycle routes

in Haute Loire of all levels

for you to choose to do

at your own pace, which you can

download free of charge at

www.respirando.fr

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13

14

15

Cycling at V

ieille-Brioude village

Cycling -

basalt

near

Chilhac

village

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The Auvergne cheese route
for cyclists

3 days / 2 nights
For those with sharpened appetites and muscle-bound
calves, get on your bikes and head for Auvergne! The
plateaux and massifs of Le Sancy await you! Stop off
at a local farm to taste some famous locally-made
cheeses.
A trip of around 160 km for experienced cyclists in the
heart of Le Cézallier and the Le Sancy massif

PRICE:

From

€155 per person

April to September 2012

The historical
Châteaux d’Auvergne route

3 days / 2 nights
For people who love cycling, the countryside and ex-
ploring architectural gems, come for a cycling holiday
in Auvergne amidst the Cantal mountains, and visit
some of the region’s finest châteaux.
A 140 km trip for experienced cyclists among the moun-
tains of Cantal.

PRICE:

From

€169.00 per person

April to September 2012

In Auvergne,

you don’t need

to book your train and room

for your bike: all the regional trains

(TER) are happy to carry your bike on board

as long as there is enough room available.

There is even a service for carrying your luggage to

your accommodation. To find out which TERs can

carry your bike, please see the schedules; all trains

with the

symbol have specific places for bikes.

As well as this, depending on your accommodation

type (gîtes, chambres d’hôtes and hotels),

you can sometimes be met directly at
the station and be told about possible

routes, depending on your requirements.

www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/

auvergne

7

Book your biking
holiday at Les Routes
Touristiques d'Auvergne

Information and bookings at:

www.auvergne-bike.com - Rubric Holidays

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Comité Régional de Développement Touristique d’Auvergne

7, allée Pierre de Fermat - CS 50502

63178 Aubière Cedex - France

+ 33 (0) 473 294 999

[e-mail]

www.auvergne-tourism.com

Clermon

mont-

Ferran

and

Par

Paris

Photographs: © CRDT

A

- Damase Joël - With the support of: CG 03, CDT

03, CG 15, CDT

15, MDDT

43, CG 63,

ADDT

63

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