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A weekend in Gannat: what to do in 2 days

Published 31 October 2026

Two days are enough to make the most of Gannat and its surroundings: a morning in the historic centre and the museum, a listed village, an outdoor activity and some good places to eat. Here is a simple programme to adapt to the season and the ages of your group.

Saturday morning: the historic centre and the Musée Yves Machelon

Start with the market, held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the town centre. Days and locations can vary with the season: check with the Val de Sioule tourist office before you come.

Then set off on foot through the old town. A few stops not to miss:

• The Église Sainte-Croix, built between the 11th and 17th centuries, with its carved capitals.
• The Église Saint-Étienne, an even older Romanesque building.
• The Maison Machelon, a 13th-century half-timbered house, the oldest in town.
• The Place Hennequin, the former grain market, and the Tour Calixte-Moulin, one of the two remaining towers of the town walls.

Finish at the Musée Yves Machelon, housed in the castle of the Dukes of Bourbon, a 12th-century fortress that served as a prison for many years. It traces the history of Gannat from prehistory to the Second World War. Highlights include the skeleton of a 23-million-year-old fossil rhinoceros and a 9th-century Gospel book. Opening hours vary with the season: check them with the museum before you go (04 70 90 23 78).

Saturday lunchtime and afternoon: Charroux

Take the road to Charroux, listed among the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France). This medieval village has kept its fortified gates, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and its church with a truncated bell tower. Do not miss the Cour des Dames, a circular courtyard at the heart of the village, or the walk around the ramparts, with views over the Limagne plain and the Chaîne des Puys.

The village has many craft workshops and the Moutarderie de Charroux, whose shop is open to visitors. For lunch, La Ferme Saint-Sébastien serves local cuisine and is listed in the Michelin Guide. Remember to book and check its opening days. Our full article on Charroux en Bourbonnais gives you more ideas for your visit.

Saturday evening: dinner in Gannat

Back in Gannat, several places await you in the centre, including:

• La Fabrick, which we feature in our article La Fabrick restaurant.

The Val de Sioule tourist office keeps an up-to-date list of open restaurants. Opening days change with the season: call before you go, especially on Sundays and Mondays.

Sunday morning: Paléopolis or the rail bikes

Two options, depending on what you fancy.

Paléopolis, the dinosaur hill, is a park devoted to palaeontology, located on the route de Bègues in Gannat. It has more than 300 fossils, life-size dinosaurs, children's workshops and films. The park opens in periods, mainly during the school holidays and in summer. Check the calendar on the official Paléopolis website. Our article Paléopolis describes the visit in detail.

The Vélorail de la Sioule leaves from Le Mayet-d'École, right next to Gannat. Two routes are available: about 10 km there and back towards Gannat (1 hour) or 16 km there and back towards Bayet, crossing two viaducts (1.5 hours). It runs from April to October, by booking only. More information in our article on the Vélorail de la Sioule.

Sunday afternoon: the Sioule gorges

End the weekend in the fresh air in the Gorges de la Sioule. They stretch from the Queuille dam, in the Puy-de-Dôme, to Ébreuil, in the Allier. The road that follows the river passes below the Château de Chouvigny and Château-Rocher, perched above the water. The site is freely accessible all year round.

Several hiking trails start from the villages in the valley. In summer, you can also paddle down the river by canoe: our article a canoe trip on the Sioule explains how to organise it. The Val de Sioule tourist office provides maps and walking ideas.

Where to stay for the weekend?

For this programme, staying in Gannat or the neighbouring villages saves long journeys: everything is a few minutes away by car. If you want to explore the historic centre and the market on foot, choose one of our apartments and houses in Gannat. For a quieter stay, the Hameau de la Grande Varenne or our gîtes in Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort are close to the Sioule valley. All can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included. To see where each property is in relation to the sights, check our map.