The Bourbonnais area has so much to offer, and visitors are just as delighted by its natural environment as by its architectural riches. In the well-to-do, dynamic city of Vichy, a renowned spa resort, you will fall under the spell of its charmingly quaint heritage. In this beautiful region, remarkable religious buildings are legion. The undisputed star is Souvigny Priory, the necropolis of the Dukes of Bourbon founded in 916. Those dukes crop up again in Montluçon, a charming medieval town where the ducal castle stands. Moulins, a Town of Art and History, is another unmissable destination that will captivate heritage-lovers. La Palice Castle, overlooking the Besbre Valley, appears on this charming land's long list of noble edifices. Beautiful medieval villages, such as Charroux and Hérisson, are inviting places for strolling and relaxing.
Not to be outdone by the prestigious and abundant architecture, the natural environment is gorgeous. The majestic Tronçais forest, an officially recognised Exceptional Forest, is one of France's most beautiful forested areas and some of its trees are many centuries old. In the Chouvigny Gorges, verdant landscapes appear alongside steep cliffs. From atop its rocky spur, Chouvigny Castle overlooks this splendid natural site, and you can admire the stunning spectacle of the gorges from its terraces. Canoeists will find plenty of thrills on the waters of the Sioule.
Gourmets will also be happy thanks to the local meat specialities, including Saint-Pourçain sausage and Charolais beef from the Bourbonnais, while young ones with a sweet tooth can discover the Vichy pastille, with which older French people are well acquainted. Saint-Pourçain, an AOC wine, will wash down your gastronomic meals very nicely... unless your stomach prefers a modest and prudent glass of Vichy water!
