Ébreuil: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Ébreuil lies at the entrance to the Gorges de la Sioule.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Ébreuil should focus their accommodation search on this destination.

Culture and History

The town’s defining building is the Abbatiale Saint-Léger. It had been an abbey church since the 10th century and was elevated to a Benedictine abbey in 1080. The complex includes a five-bay nave dating from the early 11th century, an Auvergne-style narthex, an ambulatory, and radiating chapels from the late 12th century. Inside are wall paintings from the second half of the 11th century as well as ex-votos from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Abbatiale Saint-Léger is also a listed historic site on the Route des Églises Peintes du Bourbonnais.

Further evidence of the town’s history includes the Halle aux Marchands, built in the 18th century and classified as a historic monument, and the Maison de la Gabelle dating from 1670. It was used for paying the salt tax and did not store salt. After the gabelle was abolished following the French Revolution, it was converted into a garrison. Since losing its hospital function when it closed in 2009, the galleries of the Hôpital des Charitains have served as a venue for exhibitions and cultural events.

Nature

The Plan d’eau d’Ebreuil route covers around one kilometre of the Sioule River in the town centre. The Plan d’eau d’Ebreuil fishing route is suitable for families and occasional anglers. A nautical centre on the riverbank offers canoeing, sailing and yachting. The limestone slopes of Ébreuil have been designated as “Espaces Naturels Sensibles” by the Allier département. Around twenty protected orchid species, including the military orchid, grow on the dry calcareous grasslands of the hills.

The Route Sainte-Foy La Chapelle is 6 km long and includes a 600 m out-and-back route to the Chapelle Saint-Michel. It passes through an Espace Naturel Sensible where orchids grow. From the Chapelle Sainte-Foy, the heights of Ébreuil offer panoramic views over the Sioule Valley.

Paths and Experiences

The historic centre of Ébreuil can be explored on foot along the signposted visitor route. A free guided tour of Ébreuil is available via the Wivisites app. Ébreuil is also one of the Pépit play areas; the free, playful app combines treasure hunts, heritage, walks and geocaching. La Levée has long been a popular place for walking.

The Trail d'Ebreuil route crosses the Sioule via the Pont d’Ébreuil and passes beneath the Viaduc Eiffel. A footbridge above the Pont d’Ébreuil provides a safe crossing for pedestrians. The GR-300 section from Ébreuil to Saint-Hilaire-la-Croix is 10.750 km long and is listed as taking 2 hours 45 minutes.

Water and Activities

Aqua Canoë rents single and double canoes and kayaks for trips through the Gorges de la Sioule and offers shuttle transport to the canoeing launch points. In the heart of the Gorges de la Sioule, Hippos offers riding lessons.

Other places: Chouvigny, Charroux, La Guillermie, Château-Sur-Allier, Givarlais, Serbannes, Treban, Valignat

To the overarching travel overview: Allier.