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Getting to Gannat: train, car and car-free access

Published 31 October 2026

Gannat is easy to reach: by car, the town is connected to the A71 and to Vichy by the A719; by train, the station is served by TER regional trains to Riom, Clermont-Ferrand and Montluçon. Here is how to get there depending on where you are coming from, and how to get around without a car once you arrive.

By train: where Gannat station takes you

Gannat station is served by TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes trains. There is no TGV and no direct train to Paris or Lyon: you usually come via Riom, Clermont-Ferrand or Vichy, with a change. The main connections:

• Clermont-Ferrand and Riom: this is the most useful link. Direct trains take about 30 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand and 15 to 25 minutes from Riom. Some journeys involve a change and take much longer: check the details carefully.
• Montluçon: direct TER trains in 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, stopping, depending on the train, at Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort, Bellenaves, Louroux-de-Bouble, Lapeyrouse and Commentry.
• Vichy: only a few trains, direct or with a change depending on the time. For this journey, the regional coach or the car is often simpler.

The number of trains varies according to the day of the week. Always check the timetable for your travel day on SNCF Connect.

From Paris or Lyon by train

From Paris, direct Intercités trains leave Paris-Bercy for Riom and Clermont-Ferrand. The journey to Riom takes about 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours. In Riom, take a TER to Gannat, 15 to 25 minutes away. Check that the connection exists at your arrival time, as Riom to Gannat TER trains are not very frequent. Other routes go via Vichy.

From Lyon, you need to change at Vichy or Clermont-Ferrand. Depending on the times, one or the other is quicker. The simplest way is to enter "Gannat" as your destination on SNCF Connect: the site will suggest possible connections.

By car: the A71 and A719

Gannat is 18 km from Vichy and just over 40 km from Clermont-Ferrand.

• From Paris, Orléans or Bourges: follow the A10 then the A71 towards Clermont-Ferrand, then take exit 12, which joins the A719. This motorway serves Gannat via several exits.
• From Clermont-Ferrand or Riom: head north on the A71 to exit 12, then take the A719. You can also take the D2009, the former RN9 main road.
• From Vichy: the A719, opened right up to the edge of Vichy in 2015, starts at the Espinasse-Vozelle roundabout. Allow about twenty minutes.
• From Lyon: the A89 to Clermont-Ferrand, then the A71 northbound.

The A71 is a toll motorway. Journey times depend on traffic: allow extra time at rush hour around Clermont-Ferrand.

Getting around without a car

Gannat is easy to explore on foot: the old town, the museum, the shops and the Champ de Foire are all close together. If you arrive by train, choose a property in the town centre, such as La Grande Maison Gannat, avenue de la Gare, within walking distance of the station.

To get to Vichy, a regional coach line links Gannat to Vichy station, with stops at Gannat SNCF station and the Champ de Foire. Some departures are on demand and must be booked the day before. Timetables are published on La Région vous transporte.

For the villages and sights of the valley (Charroux, the Sioule gorges, the rail bikes), you will still need a car. The only exception: the gîtes in Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort are in a village where some TER trains on the Gannat to Montluçon line stop. Check the timetable before relying on it.

Arriving at your property

At our properties, check-in is self-service, usually from 4 pm. Before your stay, you receive the exact address and access instructions: no need to arrange a time, even if your train is late. Check-out is at 11 am or 12 noon depending on the property. Other practical answers can be found in our frequently asked questions.

To choose a property according to how you are travelling, our property map shows where each one is in relation to the station and the main roads. Coming for work? Also read our article on business stays in Gannat. All our properties can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included.