La Colline

In the beautiful surroundings of the Auvergne, you will find various forests and recreational lakes where you can swim, fish and canoe. From the holiday home, you can walk to the river Allier where you can spot many different types of birds. If you are more into the hustle and bustle, there are several large festivals and village festivals organised in the summer. For example, there is a week-long medieval festival in Souvigny that offers entertainment for young and old. Do you like Brocantes then you can indulge because they start again in the spring! There are always nice brocantes/markets to find in one of the nearby villages. Nearby is an amusement park/animal park (le Pal) for the whole family. Furthermore, there are several historical and fairytale villages in the vicinity such as Apremont sur Allier (Unesco World Heritage) with its beautiful houses, castle and church and the river Allier. In Bourges, you will find the cathedral of Saint-Etienne (Unesco heritage). While Nevers is also known for its cathedral and also palace. Of course, these cities are suitable for shopping and eating out. Or to visit a museum. Quatorze Juillet 14 July bank holidays many places fireworks and festivities.

For the fast people who like to see racing cars,motor race are in the nearby villages of lurcy-levis and Névers racing circuits where various activities (l'art des essais and magny-cours) take place. In the aéroclub de Lurcy-Lévis (flying club) you can go paragliding, among other things. There is also a miniature golf course, a fitness trail and a fishing pond in one place in Lurcy-Lévis. Nearby is an indoor swimming pool and every week there is one small market, and one large market that is partly covered, where you can buy fresh products. Jeu de boules is a well-known sport in France. In Chateau-sur-Allier and in the surrounding villages you can find several jeu de boules courts. Golf enthusiasts can visit the Bourges Golf Club and the Golf public du Nivernais in Nevers.
You can undertake various sports activities, guided trips and horseback riding at Centre de Tourisme Equestre les Verts in the nearby village of Couleuvre (15 km). For an active day out with the children, you can visit the Adventure Grand Bois park.
A nice day out is to see American bison in a natural environment at the buffalo farm in Audes. This is about an hour's drive away. In Sancoins, there is a large cattle market (SA des Grivelles) every other Wednesday morning. Impressive to experience with the family.
For a catholic pilgrimage, the body of Saint Bernadette Soubirous is kept in a glass shrine in the chapel of the old Saint Gildard convent of Nevers.
Close to the village, against the hills, you can visit several beautiful vineyards (domain de Riousse) where you can also buy a nice bottle of wine. For the little ones, there is a playground on the village square.
The Natura 2000 site Bec d'Allier is located in the heart of the Nivernais region where two of Europe's last great unspoilt rivers meet: the Loire and Allier. Since 2005, the nature reserve of about 1100 hectares has been part of the WWF wetland programme because the confluence of these rivers forms a remarkable environment for many special species. In particular, the dynamic floodplain is of great natural value and is one of the few places in Europe where you can still find this type of habitat with such natural dynamics.
The river basin consists of a variety of habitat types including alluvial forests, natural meadows and moors, erosion cliffs and sandbanks. Management aims to give the rivers free rein, making the area a haven for migrating and wading birds. The area is freely accessible and equipped with information kiosks and walking trails by the WWF.
Room for the Loire and Allier
Bec d'Allier is a unique area, partly because it is one of the last areas in Europe where space is given to the large rivers. This creates a rich and varied mosaic of refuges for special flora such as bollard oak, red pepper tree, white elm and wild snowdrops.
The space for river dynamics will also provide opportunities for the beaver, which will leave its mark on the landscape by building its lodges and weirs. Apart from the beaver, the special acorn mouse is also found here and during walks through the area, you may come face to face with a roe deer.
Reptiles and amphibians
The alternation of wet and dry habitat types and the many shallow and isolated pools created by river flooding make the area eminently suitable for reptiles and amphibians. Near the forest edges, there is a good chance of encountering a hazelworm and on the meadows the beautiful western emerald lizard or sand lizard. Apart from these species, there are also natterjack toads, tree frogs, grass snakes and the unusual common midwife toad.
Along the sand banks and river banks, you have a good chance to see bank swallows and bee-eaters. In the marshy areas, the purple heron is fishing and in the woods you may hear the beautiful whale singing. The area is really a paradise for birds of different biotopes.
The landscape in the Allier is wonderfully varied, with beautiful rolling hills and ancient forests. The nature reserve "the valley of Allier" is a good place to observe bee-eaters for example. Cattle egrets can also be found in the vicinity of this lovely nature reserve. Furthermore, you can see the red kite whizzing by anywhere in the region. This beautiful bird of prey is easy to recognise because of its deeply forked tail.
The Tronçais domain forest is one of the most beautiful high oak forests in Europe and is more than 300 years old. This vast territory, a favourite haunt of numerous animals such as deer, roe deer, wild boar, tawny owls, several buzzards and little eagles. The Tronçais forest, an oasis of peace and regeneration, dotted with numerous paths, is ideal for walking, mountain biking, horse riding or simply observing the fauna and flora. In the middle of the forest you will find five ponds that also contribute to the beauty of the place. It contains a leisure centre, which offers supervised swimming in July and August, as well as water slides, pedal boats, miniature golf, archery, tennis, fishing and children's games.
Another large lake for a fun day out for the whole family is du plan d'eau de Vieure. Here, too, you can swim, canoe, pedal boat, surf, play volleyball, petanque, ping pong, fish and hike (35 minutes' drive).

In short, the perfect (family) holiday to unwind, but also ideal for the active person. The holiday home is situated in an ideal environment where an authentic piece of France has been preserved. You are most welcome!
For your orientation: Chateau-sur-Allier is situated near the places: Nevers, Bourges, Bourbon, Lurcy-levis and Saincoins.Show on map