Gîte L'Escale (Fermette La Planche)

Regional info

Our gîte is located a fifteen-minute drive from the A 71 motorway between ORLEANS and Clermont Ferrand (exit n°10 MONTLUCON). The distance from Brussels is 652 km, from Utrecht 820 km. The gîte is located along a quiet country road one km from the village of HYDS. There is a bakery in the village. 11 km away is the town of Commentry with all shops such as: Aldi, Lidl, Carrefour Market and Intermarché. The region is a quiet, green, hilly, wooded and water-rich area with countless churches and castles. In the surrounding villages you will find the original French country life. Our gîte is available for rent for families who love peace, relaxation, silence and space; The ideal place to relax and enjoy.

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Culinary & Wine

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You will find all the possibilities that France has to offer; you can enjoy the simple but very nutritious Auvergnat cuisine. In the many restaurants, complete 3-course meals are served from as little as 13 euros, often including wine!!
The wine region of SAINT POURCAIN SUR SIOULE is half an hour's drive away.

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What is there to do?

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The department of Allier is richly endowed with beautiful castles, many of which can be visited. Bourbon L'Archambault has a castle where a guide in traditional costume will show you around.

From the month of April to the end of September, you can indulge yourself during the numerous flea markets that are held in the various villages.

There are many possibilities in the field of nature. About an hour's drive away, you will find yourself in the volcanic area where the city of Clermont Ferrand is situated, at the foot of the well-known Puy de Dôme. From this mountain with an altitude of 1472m you have beautiful views over the green, volcanic landscape.
You can also practice parasailing here.

A beautiful theme park that is definitely worth a visit is Vulcania, located not far from Clermont Ferrand, where fun and education alternate, also very worthwhile for children.

Le Pal is less than an hour's drive away. It is a combination of an amusement park and a zoo, similar to the Efteling theme park. Visitors with children are generally very enthusiastic about this.

A 30-minute drive will take you to La Forêt de Tronçais (10,000 ha). This is the largest oak forest in Europe, where you will not be left hungry when it comes to sports. In this Forêt de Tronçais you will find beautiful lakes and an abundance of hiking opportunities.
This forest is also ideal for mountain bike enthusiasts. There are lifeguarded lakes with sandy beaches where you can swim or fish.

The Gorges de Sioule is 30 minutes away. distance. There, sport (canoeing/swimming) and nature meet.
For golf lovers, there are excellent opportunities within a 1/2 hour drive.

You can fish in the many lakes and in the rivers that criss-cross the beautiful landscape.

About 1 1/2 hours drive away you will find yourself in the middle of a beautiful winter sports area. In the Sancy area, you will find the ski resorts of Super Besse and Le Mont-Dore. There you will find a very relaxed winter sports atmosphere, which cannot be compared to the large winter sports resorts known to us; Absolutely worth it, also for a day trip!

For shopping you can go to the cities of Moulins, Montluçon, Vichy, Nevers and Bourges. Moulins is a 1/2 hour drive away. On Friday mornings, the covered regional speciality market takes place.

Info for activities: on request links can be sent regarding the activities below, publication of links and websites are not allowed on this platform.
Le Pal: animal and amusement park
Canoeing and kayaking on the Sioule
Velorail on old railway beds
Visit to a castle
Moor
Forest of Tronçais
Flea markets and flea markets
Several indoor and outdoor swimming pools
City visits (Vichy, Charroux, Hérisson, Montluçon...)
Wolf Park
Puy de Dôme
Bicycle rental
Adventure park in the forest Natura'Bossa in Echassière
Paragliding
Ballooning
Fish
Restaurants in the Allier