The best road cycling routes around Le Vernet

The site of Château de Maulmont was, in the 13th century, the Templar Commandery of la Gagère, built by the Grand Master of the Order of the Temple, Renaud de Vichy, upon his return from crusade in 1255. This Commandery of the Templar Order is built on the hills overlooking the banks of the Allier. Of the old castle, the wine cellars and some ivy-covered walls remain, pierced by doors with the Templars' coats of arms, battlements, and sculpted mullioned windows. At the beginning of the 14th century, Philippe Le Bel, King of France, took possession of all the Templars' properties and is said to have exchanged the Templars' fortress for residences belonging to Guillaume IV, based on an appraisal by the Count of Auvergne. Château de Maulmont was named after Agnès de Maulmont, wife of Guillaume IV, who came to live there after her husband's death. After the last descendant, Françoise de Maulmont, who died in the 15th century, the castle was inhabited by several nobles such as the Duchess of Praslin and the Marquis de Grollier. In 1829, H.R.H. Princess Adélaïde Louise d'Orléans (1777-1847), sister of King Louis Philippe d'Orléans (1773-1850) and owner of the royal domain of Randan, acquired the commandery of Maulmont. Princess Adélaïde had the Commandery demolished with the intention of building a hunting lodge on its site. In 1830, she entrusted the construction of Château de Maulmont to the architect Fontaine, to whom we owe the famous "Galerie des Batailles" at the Château de Versailles. King Louis Philippe used to come with the Court of France to hunt on the lands of Maulmont and Randan. In 1847, Maulmont passed by legacy to her nephew, Antoine d'Orléans (1824-1890), Duke of Montpensier. In 1886, the Montpensiers ceded the castle to Alfred du Guèrinet. In 1890, he commissioned the architect Honoré Vianne to transform the building into a true castle. These works mainly concern the wings flanking the entrance block, which were raised by one storey and whose flat roofs were transformed. Today, at Château de Maulmont, the memory of the past and the charm of the present coexist harmoniously.

A beautiful area with, by French standards, excellent cycle paths, occasionally some potholes etc. for a bike with 5cm tires a nice tour in this lovely country.

First bike path, nice ride for the average touring cyclist.

A very nice and pleasant pass with several climbs more or less accessible depending on the level and distance. Each side offers its share of landscapes and small villages. If you want to climb it for the beauty of the landscapes, I recommend the ascent via Les Noës or via Charrier, and for those seeking a difficult climb, Charrier also serves as the hardest side.

The climb from Ris was very pleasant, winding through the trees and very quiet.

A long, steady climb. Almost no cars, wide roads and beautiful surroundings! Hard to find a coffee or lunch place though.

Healing water bubbles from many taps here. You can also bring your own bottle to take home.

Nine springs are still in use in Vichy. Four of them are consumed by spa guests in the drinking halls of the thermal baths: Chomel, Grande Grille, Hôpital, and Lucas.