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A canoe trip on the upper Sioule, less than an hour from Clermont-Ferrand

Published 4 June 2021

The stretch of the Sioule closest to Clermont-Ferrand is in the north-west of the Puy-de-Dôme, between Châteauneuf-les-Bains and the Pont de Menat. Allow about 50 minutes' drive to reach the hire centres, which offer descents with a shuttle, from a one or two-hour taster to a full day. The season generally runs from May to October.

Getting to the Sioule from Clermont

From Clermont, head towards Riom and then Combronde, and continue towards Saint-Pardoux and Menat. The Pont de Menat, in the commune of Saint-Rémy-de-Blot, is the meeting point for most trips. The journey is around fifty kilometres, partly on winding roads in the valley.

The upper Sioule routes

Between Châteauneuf-les-Bains and Menat, the river winds through a wooded valley, with livelier sections and calm stretches. Further downstream, after the Pont de Saint-Gal, it enters the Chouvigny gorges, on the Allier side.

• Sioule Loisirs, at 3910 route du Pont de Menat, offers several options: taster, half-day and full day. Trips start from Châteauneuf-les-Bains or Lisseuil, with a shuttle from the meeting point. Prices range from €20 to €30 per adult and €15 to €20 per child. Participants must be at least 6 years old, with a minimum of two people. Combined packages with a via ferrata are available. Details and bookings on the Sioule Loisirs website.
• Cano Yak, at the Pont de Saint-Gal in Saint-Gal-sur-Sioule, runs descents towards the Chouvigny gorges, by booking only. The route depends on the water level. Information on the Combrailles tourist office website.

The 2026 season is over or about to end. Prices and dates for 2027 will be confirmed by the operators in spring: check them before booking.

Tips for a first descent

• Book ahead, especially in summer and at weekends: the shuttles have limited capacity.
• Bring clothes that can get wet, closed shoes that can go in the water and a change of clothes in the car.
• Take water, sun cream and a waterproof bag for your phone.
• Being able to swim is essential. The operators provide buoyancy aids.
• After heavy rain or in dry spells, the route may be changed: follow the centre's instructions.

Other waterside outings near Clermont

If canoeing does not suit everyone, there are several alternatives in the same area or closer to the city:

1. The Gour de Tazenat, a crater lake on the road to Menat, ideal for a walking loop before or after the descent. See our article on the walk around the Gour de Tazenat.
2. Lac d'Aydat and Lac Chambon, south of Clermont, for supervised swimming in summer, covered in our article on the lakes around Clermont.
3. The Sioule on the Allier side, further downstream, which you can also discover by rail bike around Le Mayet-d'École.

Setting off from Clermont with everyone

A trip down the Sioule is a great outing for a group of friends or a family with children over 6. Our holiday houses around Clermont let you stay together and set off early with no parking hassle. For a team outing or a weekend with friends, our group stays page details the capacity available. Our properties can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included.