Discover Gannat: History, Earth History and Nature

Gannat is a destination for travellers who want to combine culture, earth history, nature and active pursuits. For a stay in a holiday apartment in Gannat, the variety of experiences provides plenty of ideas: you can explore historic sites, discover fossils, stroll among plants or plan a day of cycling and walking.

History and Museums in Gannat

Several periods of history come together in the townscape. The Église Sainte-Croix was classified as a historic monument by decree of 12 December 1910. It can be visited free of charge with informational materials and is part of the Route des Églises Peintes du Bourbonnais. The remains of the fortifications of the former castle of the Sires de Bourbon and the old towers bear witness to Gannat’s medieval past.

Another historical trace leads to the Musée Yves Machelon. It is housed in a former castle that was first converted into a prison and later into a museum. The municipal museum presents the history of the Gannatois region in around fifteen permanent exhibition rooms, from prehistoric times to the Second World War.

Fossils and Earth History for Curious Explorers

Earth history also takes centre stage in Gannat. Paléopolis displays more than 300 fossils and takes visitors on a journey through four billion years. The Musée Yves Machelon also features a fossilised rhinoceros skeleton dating from 23 million years ago. This creates vivid points of reference for anyone who wants to discover natural history beyond the pages of a textbook.

Nature Between the Garden and Mont Libre

The Jardin public Delarue invites visitors to stroll among a great variety of plant species. Mont Libre has been designated an “Espace naturel sensible” by the Allier département. Its limestone-rich grasslands are home to, among other species, the Aster amelle, protected wild daisies and wild orchids. Those who enjoy complementing their stay with nature observation will find a range of botanical themes in this compact setting.

Cycling and Hiking Around Gannat

The Voie Verte du Val de Sioule is reserved exclusively for non-motorised transport and runs mostly along the former railway line of the railway route opened in 1932. In Gannat, there is a car park and a possible starting point at Champ de Foire, 03800 Gannat. The Baludik routes are available offline after downloading.

Another way to combine travel and landscape is offered by the Rando-Train Les Viaducs Eiffel near Gannat: it combines a train journey with a hike, and the route can be completed in either direction. For a stay in a holiday apartment in Gannat, this gives you the choice between culture, short walks, cycling routes and a combined hiking experience. At Paléopolis, educational workshops are aimed at children aged 3 to 15.

Discover More Places

If you would like to add more places to your travel plans: Saint-Menoux, Domérat, Huriel, Avermes, Valignat, Chouvigny, Treteau, Louchy-Montfand.

For the higher-level travel overview: Allier.