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The Vélorail de la Sioule, 25 minutes from Vichy

Published 4 June 2021

The Vélorail de la Sioule (rail bikes) is at Le Mayet-d'École, near Gannat, about 25 minutes' drive from Vichy. You pedal along an old railway line on rail bikes that seat up to five people, on a 10 or 16 km round trip. Booking is essential.

The drive from Vichy

Head towards Gannat: Le Mayet-d'École is just before it, about twenty kilometres from Vichy. Departures are from the hamlet of Les Grands Champs. Parking on site is easy.

Arrive a little ahead of your booked time, so you can collect your rail bike and listen to the safety briefing.

It is one of the shortest outings to organise from Vichy: you can book a morning slot, be back in town for lunch and keep the afternoon free for something else. Children love it, as they see the railway and the viaducts from an unusual angle, and so do grandparents, who can stay seated on the bench.

Two routes to choose from

• The Sioule route, towards Bayet: 16 km round trip, about 1 hr 30, crossing two viaducts over the valley. It is the most popular for its views.
• The Gannat route: 10 km round trip, about 1 hr, a good option with young children.

Each rail bike has two pedalling seats at the front and a three-seat bench at the back. The adults pedal while the children enjoy the scenery. The effort is moderate, but a 16 km round trip can be felt in the legs: take turns pedalling if there are several adults.

Season and booking

In 2026, the vélorail was open from April to the end of October: a few days a week in spring and in September and October (Wednesdays and weekends), then from Wednesday to Sunday in July and August, with longer hours. The 2026 season ends on 31 October, and the 2027 calendar has not yet been published.

Booking is essential, by phone or by email. Contact details and the calendar are on the Vélorail de la Sioule website.

• In summer, go for morning or late-afternoon departures.
• Take water, a hat and a light jumper for the shady stretches.
• The rail bikes run one behind the other: keep your distance and follow the instructions at road crossings.
• For a large group, book several rail bikes in the same slot so you can set off together.

What to do nearby

The vélorail takes up a morning or an afternoon. To fill the rest of the day:

• Paléopolis, the dinosaur park in Gannat, a few minutes away: our article on Paléopolis.
• The dried flower farm at Bayet, at the end of the Sioule route but reached by car: our article on Bayet.
• Back in Vichy, a stroll in the parks of Vichy at the end of the day.

A family stay in Vichy

An outing like this is easier to plan from accommodation where everyone has their own space. Our holiday apartments in Vichy can be booked from one night, with cleaning and linen included.