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10 things to do in Gannat and the Val de Sioule

Published 31 October 2026

You can see Gannat in a day, but the Val de Sioule around it deserves several: a museum in a fortified castle, a listed village, gorges, a river to paddle down by canoe and some unexpected museums. Here are ten practical ideas to combine depending on the season and what you fancy.

If you are only staying two days, our weekend in Gannat programme gives you a ready-made itinerary. This list goes further and adds visits in the surrounding area.

In Gannat itself

1. Explore the old town on foot

The heart of Gannat is easy to cover in an hour. Look out for the Église Sainte-Croix and its carved capitals, the Église Saint-Étienne, the half-timbered Maison Machelon and the Tour Calixte-Moulin, a remnant of the old town walls. The Champ de Foire, a large tree-lined square, is a handy landmark for finding your way around. To understand what you are looking at, read our article on the town's history before you set off.

2. Visit the Musée Yves Machelon

The municipal museum is housed in Gannat's fortified castle, which served as a prison for many years. It tells the story of the area from prehistory to the Second World War. Two exhibits stand out: the skeleton of a fossil rhinoceros around 23 million years old, found near Gannat, and a 9th-century Gospel book. Opening hours vary with the season: call the museum on 04 70 90 23 78 before you go.

Villages around Gannat

3. Head up to Charroux

About fifteen minutes away by car, Charroux is the only village in the Allier listed among the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France). Fortified gates, cobbled streets, craft workshops and local mustard: allow half a day. Everything is covered in our article Charroux en Bourbonnais.

4. See the Abbatiale Saint-Léger in Ébreuil

Around ten kilometres to the west, Ébreuil has a large Romanesque abbey church with a 12th-century porch tower. It holds one of the most important collections of Romanesque wall paintings in Auvergne, on the gallery of the nave. You can visit the church freely. Access to the frescoes is by booking with the Val de Sioule tourist office (04 70 90 77 55).

5. Discover the hurdy-gurdy in Jenzat

Jenzat is known as the birthplace of hurdy-gurdy making. The Maison du Luthier-Musée, 8 rue des Luthiers, displays instruments, an instrument maker's workshop and tools from the village's great families of makers. Admission was €5 for adults in 2026 and free for under-16s. Out of season, the museum mainly welcomes groups by appointment: phone ahead (06 80 80 35 27).

With children

6. Spend a day at Paléopolis

This park devoted to fossils and dinosaurs is in Gannat itself. Tickets are valid for the whole day. In 2026, adult admission cost €16 and €14 for 5 to 15-year-olds. The park opens in periods, mainly during the school holidays: check the calendar on the Paléopolis website. Our article Paléopolis describes the visit.

7. Pedal the Vélorail de la Sioule

At Le Mayet-d'École, very close to Gannat, electrically assisted rail bikes run along a former railway line. Two routes were offered in 2026: 10 km there and back towards Gannat (about 1 hour) or 16 km towards Bayet, crossing two viaducts (about 1.5 hours). The season runs from April to the end of October, by booking only. The 2027 dates will be published on the vélorail website.

Along the Sioule

8. Follow the gorges road

The Gorges de la Sioule stretch from the Queuille dam, in the Puy-de-Dôme, to Ébreuil. A road follows the river and passes below the 13th-century Château de Chouvigny and Château-Rocher. The site is freely accessible all year round. The Château de Chouvigny can only be visited in summer: in 2025 it opened from mid-July to the end of August, in the afternoons. Check the following season's dates before you travel.

9. Paddle down the river by canoe

From May to September, several hire companies offer trips down the Sioule. In Ébreuil, Sioule Canoë offered a 12 km family route between Chouvigny and Ébreuil in 2026, and a more challenging 20 km route from Menat, with a shuttle back. Ask about the minimum age and conditions before booking. Our article on canoeing on the Sioule lists other providers.

A summer highlight

10. Experience the Festival des Cultures du Monde

Every year at the end of July, troupes from all over the world dance and parade through the streets of Gannat for six days. The parades are free; indoor shows are ticketed. The 2027 dates have not yet been published. Our festival guide explains how to plan your visit and why you should book your accommodation early.

For current opening times, markets and the week's events, the Val de Sioule tourist office remains the best source.

Where to stay to do it all?

Gannat makes a good base: most of these visits are less than twenty minutes away by car. To explore the old town and the museum on foot, choose one of our apartments and houses in Gannat, for 2 to 10 guests. For peace and quiet, closer to Charroux and the Sioule, our country gîtes in Charroux, Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort and Saulcet all have a terrace, and several have a swimming pool. All our properties can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included.