Advice

We'd like to take a moment to briefly introduce you to other points of interest that we weren't able to squeeze into our itinerary. Just a 3-minute walk from the Hall des Sources, the Museum of African and Asian Arts (musée des arts d’Afrique et d’Asie) invites you on a journey to these two distant continents. This museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of people from China, Laos, Cambodia, Morocco, Argentina, Mali, and many other countries, once under French colonial rule. Here, you'll find everyday objects, religious artifacts, and defense tools that will help you gain a better understanding of these cultures. There's also a space with temporary exhibits and projections of old photographs. It’s all about bridging cultural gaps. This Vichy museum is truly a window into other worlds! On your way there, make a short stop at the Les Quatre Chemins shopping center on Paris Street. If you care for a shopping spree, this is the place to go! There are some twenty boutiques open seven days a week, so you're sure to find something you like. If you want to experience Vichy like a local, head to the Grand marché couvert, the city's bustling covered market located right between the railway station and the banks of the Allier river. It's been a local favorite for over 75 years, home to a host of locals daily setting up their stalls, offering fresh produce and regional specialties. The market is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 7 AM to 1 PM. On Saturday mornings, it comes alive housing some sixty more local producers on the mezzanine level. Just a short distance from the city of Vichy, you'll also find the charming towns of Saint-Yorre, renowned for its sparkling mineral water, and Billy, home to a majestic Bourbonnais fortress. Billy was awarded the "Small City of Character" title back in 2021. The two towns, just twenty kilometers apart, are easily accessible by the Via Allier. This 435-kilometer cycling route connects Nièvre to Lozère with 22 more stops along the way. Why stop here? Let's explore some more and discover sights within a 30-minute, 45-minute or even 1-hour drive from Vichy. Just a short hop to the east, via the Châtel-Montagne commune, you'll find the Notre-Dame church, said to be one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the Auvergne region. You can also visit Moulins, a little further north. This commune is the former capital of the Duchy of Bourbon! While you're there, be sure to visit the renowned National Center for Theatrical Costume and Design (Centre national du costume de scène) and look for the clock tower and its jacquemart, the Maison Mantin, the beautiful cathedral and the famous Grand Café – Coco Chanel herself was a regular there! For a taste of unspoiled nature, head south to the village of Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs. Discover the Verrerie plateau, a haven for wildlife, with rare plant species dating back to the Ice Age. Then, immerse yourself in a fairytale world as you wander through the Alley of Giants (Allée des Géants), where ancient beech trees twist and turn in all sorts of mesmerizing shapes. You can always find more information on the various activities described in the Vichy Travel Tips section on our website.