Allier in summer
The peak season. Swimmable lakes (Aydat, Chambon, the Allier beaches), festivals in every village, night markets on Wednesdays in Murol and Salers. Book 2 to 3 months ahead for the centre of the tourist towns.
Weather
Mild to hot (25-30°C in the lowlands, 18-22°C at altitude). Late-afternoon storms in July-August.
The département in brief
Vichy, châteaux, forests: northern Auvergne, refined.
⚠️ Good to know: Avoid hikes with no shade between 11am and 4pm in high summer (heatwave). Head for altitude (Mont-Dore, Cézallier) if Clermont forecasts > 35°C.
The essentials
Not to miss in summer
A seasonal selection across the whole of Auvergne. For our addresses in Allier, see below.
- Europavox in Clermont-Ferrand (late June)
- Aurillac Festival, street theatre (late August)
- La Chaise-Dieu Festival, classical music (second half of August)
- Lifeguarded swimming at Lac d'Aydat or Lac Chambon (Blue Flag)
- Night market in Murol on Wednesdays, Besse on Mondays
- Sunset on the Puy de Dôme or the Puy Mary
- Walk round Lac Pavin (one hour, flat path, emerald water)
- Sleep in a treehouse, a bubble or a yurt (book 2-3 months ahead)
Allier
12 places to discover
Editorial selection in Allier, to filter by what you fancy this season.
Les Caudalies
4.8Vichy · Allier
1869 reviews
MuPop · Musée des Musiques Populaires
4.7Montluçon · Allier
1055 reviews
Parc Napoléon III
4.6Vichy · Allier
3464 reviews
Le PAL
4.6Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre · Allier
27033 reviews
Spa Suite Vichy
4.9Vichy · Allier
284 reviews
Maison Mantin
4.8Moulins · Allier
407 reviews
Centre national du costume et de la scène (CNCS)
4.5Moulins · Allier
3233 reviews
La Cristallière
4.7Saint-Rémy-en-Rollat · Allier
545 reviews
Natural Wake Park
4.8Paray-sous-Briailles · Allier
380 reviews
La Maison du Prince de Condé
4.8Charroux · Allier
162 reviews
V and B Montluçon
4.5Montluçon · Allier
939 reviews
Musée Anne-de-Beaujeu
4.6Moulins · Allier
487 reviews