Les Gérolles is situated in the region Auvergne (province Allier) on the border with the Bougogne. Therefore tourist attractions in both regions are nearby. The house (an old fermette, from 1867) lies in the valley of the Loire. It is a rather plane, agricultural area, surrounded by the hills of the Bourgogne on the other side of the river.
The protected nature reserve the Morvant, is at a distance of 25 km. It is famous for its steep hills, its meandering streams, old cities and its many lakes and forests. In the Morvant tourists clearly found their way around, but at Les Gérolles the French farmers and Charlolais cows are your neighbours.
It takes a ten minute walk to go to the river Loire.
At a distance of 5 km there are sandybeaches where you can swim safely.
With children you can go guarded swimming in a lake, or in the outdoor swimming pool (6 km).
There are 4 solid bikes available. You can use is to go to the bakery (3 km) on small country roads, or you can make a tour through the rural area along the Loire, canals, farms, castles and Medieval villages. (Maps are available)
Within a distance of 10 km you can play tennis or golf, go horse riding or go canoeing. Also, climbing and whitewater canoeing is possible in the Morvant. Mountainbikers will enjoy themselves on VTT-tracks in the Allier, and in Saône et Loire (Bourgogne). Maps and books with information are available.
The Loire and the Bourgogne are very interesting areas, by history and by landscape.
Next to beautiful cities (see Cities) you can make beautiful tours that will lead you through plane, hilly and mountainous landscapes.
Without being complete I will sum up a number of the possible activities or daytrips:
- Walking trails
- Day trips through “Parc Naturel Régional dus Morvan” by car or by bike. (Dive in one of the many lakes while you’re on your way!)
- Day trip to the wine region of the Bourgogne (Mâcon, Beaune, Côte d’Or)
- Day trip to the wine region of the Loire (Touraine, Saumur), or nearby Saint Pourcain, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Pouilly-Fumé, Sancerre.
- Castle day tour in the direct surroundings. Only in the Allier there are over 500 castles, from which there are many opened for public.
- Château de Chareil-Cintrat (national monument)
- Castle Guédelon. A unique project, a castle under construction with the use of purely Medieval techniques. The project is self-supporting because of the influx of many tourists from all over the world.
- Víaduc de Rouzat, an early work of Gustave Eiffel.
- Le Pont-Canal du Guétin.
- Bibracte. The largest Roman-Gallian excavation site in France.
- The Magne-Court race circuit nearby Nevers.
- Centre National Consume Scène in Moulins. EXHIBITION?? Costumes used by the Comédie Francaise, Opera de Paris etc.
- Tour of Cheese
- Tour of Vulcano’s
At Les Gérolles you’ll find information that leads the way to cultural, active and culinary pleasure. Guides, maps, brochures and of course personal advise will help you find your way!
A useful website with a lot of information:
http://www.allez-allier.com/spip/spip.php?rubrique209
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