Three stops and a river that loops right round: the Belvédère du Paradis at Queuille, the Viaduc des Fades and Château-Rocher, plus canoeing in the warmer months.
The Gorges de la Sioule run from the Queuille dam, in the Puy-de-Dôme, to Ébreuil, in the Allier. The river winds its way below the cliffs, where peregrine falcons nest. Three stops make up the visit.
First, the Belvédère du Paradis viewpoint at Queuille: the famous full loop of the river, seen from above (leave the car near the church, then continue on foot; open access and free).
Next, the Viaduc des Fades, between Sauret-Besserve and Les Ancizes: 132.5 m above the Sioule, one of the highest bridges in the world when it opened in 1909, and today ridden across on an electric rail bike (booking required; in 2026, from 1 April to 1 November).
Finally, Château-Rocher, a ruined medieval fortress (11th-14th century) keeping watch over the river and the Rochocol meander. In 2026 the castle itself is closed to the public, but its grassy esplanade stays open access all year round.
By car, the D915 runs through the Gorges de Chouvigny via a tunnel cut into the granite, and the stretch from Châteauneuf-les-Bains to Ébreuil follows the river.
By canoe, rental outfits run half-day or full-day trips down the river between Châteauneuf-les-Bains, Menat and Ébreuil in the warmer months, from age 6.
What you will find
- The Belvédère du Paradis and its perfect loop of the Sioule
- The Viaduc des Fades, 132 m above the river, to ride across by rail bike
- Château-Rocher, a medieval fortress whose esplanade is open access
- Canoeing between Châteauneuf, Menat and Ébreuil, from age 6
Local tip
Park near the church in Queuille: you reach the viewpoint on foot. Walkers carry on with the waymarked loop “La ronde du méandre au viaduc” (10 km, about 3 hours).
