Discover Gannat

Gannat offers a range of themes to help you plan your trip: medieval landmarks, sacred architectural history, fossils and nature. Each attraction has a different focus. You can weigh up whether you are more interested in historical traces, geological history, plants or an active route.

History, church and museum

The Église Sainte-Croix was designated a historic monument by decree on 12 December 1910. It is also part of the Route des Églises Peintes du Bourbonnais. In Gannat, the remains of the fortifications of the former castle of the Sires de Bourbon and the old towers bear witness to the town’s medieval past. The church and these traces of fortifications offer different perspectives: a church designated as a historic monument on the one hand, and evidence of a former castle complex on the other.

The Musée Yves Machelon is housed in a former castle that was first converted into a prison and later into a museum. Among the exhibits is a fossilised rhinoceros skeleton from 23 million years ago. This brings together the history of the building and a tangible glimpse into geological history.

The Église Sainte-Croix can be visited free of charge and independently, with informational materials. If you are planning a visit, check the opening information in advance, as access details may change.

Fossils and different timescales

Paléopolis displays more than 300 fossils and takes visitors on a journey through four billion years. By comparison, the rhinoceros skeleton at the Musée Yves Machelon focuses on a specific find from 23 million years ago. The two geological history attractions therefore differ in scale: a single skeleton on one hand, and a broad sweep of time and a large number of fossils on the other.

Paléopolis offers educational workshops for children aged three to 15. If a workshop is important to your travel plans, check the latest information in advance. The age range can help you consider this activity specifically, without conflating it with the general focus on fossils.

Plants and landscapes

The Jardin public Delarue invites you to take a stroll among a wide variety of plant species. Mont Libre offers a different nature experience: the Allier Department designates the area an “Espace naturel sensible” (sensitive natural area). Its calcareous grasslands are home to, among other plants, the Montpellier aster, protected wild daisies and wild-growing orchids. The garden and grasslands therefore represent different nature themes: a diversity of plant species in the garden and particular plants on calcareous soil at Mont Libre.

Routes by bike, train and on foot

The Voie Verte du Val de Sioule is reserved exclusively for non-motorised traffic. For the most part, it follows the former railway line, which opened in 1932. In Gannat, there is a car park at Champ de Foire, 03800 Gannat, which can serve as a starting point for the route. Check current route conditions before setting off.

The Rando-Train Les Viaducs Eiffel near Gannat combines a train journey with a hike and can be completed in either direction. This sets it apart from the Voie Verte by combining train travel with walking. As operating details may change, it is worth checking the latest information before planning your trip.

The Baludik routes may also help with navigation: after downloading, they are available offline. Download your chosen route in advance if you want to use it without an internet connection. If offline access is essential to your plans, check that the app feature is working beforehand.

Discover more destinations: Bressolles, Yzeure, Vendat, Montaigu-Le-Blin, La Chabanne, Billy, Saint-Désiré, Contigny.

For the regional travel overview: Allier.