Activities & Leisure
Whether you're travelling alone, with family or with a partner, Château d’Ygrande has a range of leisure activities for guests of all ages, all year round.
You're sure to find something to suit your tastes within the stunning 40-hectare grounds or in the surrounding area.
The Allier is a Bourbonnais region that is bursting with activities and attractions. In fact, there's so much to do in this stunning, clean, peaceful land that you'll need to come back time and again to fit everything in.
Activities include relaxation, spa treatments, swimming, walking, cycling, horse-riding, cookery lessons, exploring the rich Bourbonnais heritage (Romanesque churches, abbeys, medieval châteaux) and its remarkable gardens, several theme parks and leisure parks, the Saint-Pourçain vineyards and local produce, walks through Europe's most stunning oak forest, and numerous listed villages.
Activities & Leisure at the Château (on-site and off-site)
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Heated pool
(open June to September)The pool is tucked away in the gardens, surrounded by the orchard, the vegetable garden and the vast lawns where you can relax in the sunshine.
Unsupervised pool, reserved for hotel guests only.Baignade sans surveillance, accès gratuit réservé aux clients de l’hôtel. -
Walks in the grounds of the Château
The grounds span 40 hectares and are criss-crossed with footpaths that pass through the woods and meadows, taking visitors to the boundaries of the property towards the fishing lake.
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Steam room, treatments and massages
Guests have access to the wellness area on the first floor. The treatments and massages are delivered by highly skilled professionals. The facility also includes a steam room for the ultimate in relaxation.
Advance booking required at reception.
Prices: €99 for a one-hour treatment, €20 per person for a private 20-minute steam room session. -
Self-service bicycles
Guests can use the bicycles available on site free of charge. Contact reception for information.
Also see the "cycling tourism" activity. -
Educational vegetable garden
The educational vegetable garden is our project for the future. Our gardeners are on-hand to answer your questions and teach you about the joys of growing your own food.
Guests can try produce from the orchards between June and October. -
Library: art books, novels, comic books
The library boasts an extensive collection of works, including art books, novels, crime fiction and comic books. All books are available for guest use.
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Music room, atmosphere and open fireplaces
These bright, comfortable rooms are set against a backdrop of classical and jazz music. And when summer finally makes way for autumn, the open fireplaces are lit to keep the premises warm.
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Billiards
A French billiards table can be found on the first floor, and is open until 11 pm.
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Balneotherapy and wellness
(Bourbon L'Achambault thermal baths)The sumptuous thermal baths at Bourbon L'Achambault (7 km away), with their exquisite earthenware and wooden décor, are the perfect place to recharge your batteries, with restorative baths, hydro-massage showers, high-pressure jets, steam baths, etc.
Activities & Leisure for all the family (on-site and off-site)
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Hand-guided pony ride (on-site)
Younger guests can explore the château grounds in the saddle, on a pony guided by a halter.
For information and booking, contact:Annabelle Fréby, tel 06 61 98 63 41 or haras.ygrande@bbox.fr
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Horse-riding for beginners (on-site)
Have you never ridden a horse before but always wanted to try? Now you can, in a fully safe and secure environment.
Book your beginners' lesson with:Mademoiselle Annabelle Fréby, tel 06 61 98 63 41 ou haras.ygrande@bbox.fr
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The PAL (Dompierre-sur-Besbre)
The PAL is a theme park and zoo in one, set among unique grounds of 50 hectares. It is one of France's most popular destinations, with 26 permanent attractions and 600 animals, some of whom live in free range conditions.
Open from 11 April to 27 September 2015.
Le Pal, Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre, 03290, Dompierre-sur-Besbre
Tel. +33 (0)4 70 42 68 10
www.lepal.com
info@lepal.com
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Vulcania (Saint-Ours-les-Roches)
Head to the Auvergne Volcanoes, explore the mysteries of the Earth and learn what lies beneath our feet. Get ready to experience the awesome power of volcanoes and the forces of nature through animations, attractions, 3D and 5D films and dynamic platforms.
Open from 25 March to 11 November 2015
Route de Mazayes, 63230, Saint-Ours-les-Roches
Tel. +33 (0)4 73 19 70 00
www.vulcania.com
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Parc Paléopolis (Gannat)
A theme park dedicated to palaeontology and the history of life on Earth. Under the presidency of Yves Coppens, an exhibition, outdoor attractions, a cinema and children's workshops, taking visitors on a fascinating voyage through the history of life.
Open from 1 AprilChazoux, route de Bègues, 03800 Gannat
Tel 04 70 90 16 00
Culture & Heritage
Cultural activities
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National Centre of Costume and Scenography (Moulins)
National Centre of Costume and Scenography (CNCS) is the world's first conservation facility entirely dedicated to preserving the heritage of theatres and opera houses.
Permanent exhibition: Nureyev collection.
Temporary exhibition: "L’Opéra Comique", 7 February to 25 May 2015
Open daily, 10 am to 6 pmCNCS, Quartier Villars, Route de Montilly, 03000 Moulins
Tel 04 70 20 76 20
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Village of Charroux
The ancient fortified city of Charroux lies to the south of the department and is recognised as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France". The summit of its hill provides commanding views over the magnificent 15th-18th century façades, narrow pedestrian streets and small squares, arranged around a well.
Artisan produce, including the famous Charroux mustard.Office de Tourisme : 20 rue Grande, 03140 Charroux
Tel 04 70 56 87 71
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Villages of Charroux and Verneuil-en-Bourbonnais
This charming, picturesque village is located near the Saint-Pourçain vineyards and still has some remains of its castle. Stunning ancient houses. Clothes Iron Museum!
Tourist office: Rue des RempartsTel 04 70 35 26 25
Explore the region's heritage
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Fortress of Bourbon l’Archambault
This medieval fortress has just three of its original towers remaining. The so-called "Qui qu’en grogne" tower is perched on a headland overlooking the picturesque town of Bourbon l’Archambault.
Take a step back in time with a guide in traditional dress and explore life at the castle in the Middle Ages. Magnificent views from the top of the towers.
Open from 15 February to 11 November, 2 pm to 6 pmTel : 04 70 67 02 30
mic.chateau.bourbon@wanadoo.fr
Sound and light shows in summer. Information : 06 78 60 28 99
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Château de La Palice (Lapalisse)
A stunning 12th to 16th century edifice, impressive due to its size and its position over looking the Besbre river in the centre of the town. Tour of the inside and the gardens.
Open from April to November, 9 am to 3 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm.Tel 04 70 99 37 58
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Château de Boszt (Besson)
This is one of the last châteaux in the Bourbonnais that belongs to the descendants of the Bourbons. Built at the advent of the classical style, the inside of the château is closed to visitors but it is worth viewing from the outside.
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Souvigny Abbey (Souvigny)
This remarkable Cluniac priory is located in the centre of the medieval town of Souvigny. Explore the recently renovated Church of St Pierre St Paul with its royal tombs, the priory gardens (French formal gardens, with rare vegetable varieties, and medicinal and aromatic plants) and the Musée du Pays de Souvigny.
Tel 04 70 43 99 75
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Noirlac Abbey (Saint-Amand-Montrond)
Noirlac Abbey was built by monks in the 12th century, and its minimalist architectural style reflects the asceticism practised by the Cistercian order. Major restoration work completed in the 20th century.
Open from March to December, 10 am to 6:30 pm, closed in the mornings in March and November/December.Noirlac, 18200 Bruère-Allichamps
Tel 02 48 62 01 01
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Saint-Pourçain vineyards
The Saint-Pourçain vineyard was awarded the AOC (controlled designation of origin) label a few years ago, and produces white wines (Trésailler, Sauvignon and Chardonnay), red wines (Gamay and Pinot Noir), rosé wines and wines made using traditional methods. The 630 hectares of vineyards are managed by 20 wine-makers and a cooperative cellar.
Examples of cellars open to visitors:Famille Laurent :Montifaud, 03500 Saulcet, tel 04 70 45 90 41
Domaine de Bellevue : Bellevue, 03500 Meillard, tel 04 70 42 05 56
Domaine Grobost-Barbara : Montjournal, 03500 Cesset tel 04 70 45 39 92
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Arboretum de Balaine (Villeneuve-sur-Allier)
The Arboretum de Balaine combines the structure of 19th-century English formal gardens and collections of exotic plant species.
Open access to the grounds and gardens. Remarkable trees: unique species of conifers and broad-leaved trees.
Trees and shrubs for sale on-site. Fête des Plantes: third weekend in April.
Open daily from 1 March to 30 November, 9 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 7 pmChâteau et Arboretum de Balaine, 03460 Villeneuve sur Allier
Tel 04 70 43 30 07
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Vichy: thermal baths, a unique atmosphere and luxury shops
Vichy is the Allier's most popular tourist destination, with thermal baths, sumptuous buildings, parks and gardens, opera house, racecourse and luxury boutiques that give it the air of a continental French Riviera.
Office de tourisme : 04 7 98 71 94
Sports & Nature
Sports
Routes and trails
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Tronçais Forest: the finest oak tree forest in Europe. Undergrowth trails searching for large animals (stags, does, bucks, wild boar).
Tronçais Forest is the ideal place for short walks. It covers 11,000 hectares and is one of France's largest forests. It is famous for its ancient oaks, providing stave mill operators with the finest-quality 40-metre, 250-year-old logs, which are used to manufacture the world's most famous wine barrels: the "Tronçais".
A range of maps and routes are available, allowing you to set off and explore one of the forest's 40 fountains, walk around one of its many lakes, or gather mushrooms (when in season).
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Mushrooms and deer rutting in season
Walkers can venture into the depths of the Tronçais Forest in search of large animals. In autumn, the entire forest reverberates to the cries of deer during the rutting season. At dawn and dusk, you may even catch sight of the deer in the flesh.
It is a truly captivating spectacle, with raucous cries that tear through the half-light, the trembling leaves, the scent of moss and brief glimpses of the animals through the trees (not recommended for young children).
