Allier (river)
The Allier is a river in central France. It is a left tributary of the Loire. Its source is in the Massif Central, in the Lozère department, east of Mende. It flows generally north. It joins the Loire west of the city of Nevers. It is long, and has a drainage basin of.Departments and towns
The Allier flows through the following departments, and along the following towns:
- Allier: Moulins, Varennes-sur-Allier, Vichy, Saint-Yorre
- Ardèche - the river runs along the border between this department and Lozère
- Cher: Mornay-sur-Allier, Château-sur-Allier
- Haute-Loire: Brioude, Langeac, Monistrol-d'Allier
- Lozère: Langogne, La Bastide-Puylaurent
- Nièvre
- Puy-de-Dôme: Brassac-les-Mines, Auzat-sur-Allier, Issoire, Cournon-d'Auvergne, Pont-du-Château, Cournon-d'Auvergne
Tributaries
The main tributaries of the Allier are:
The Allier is one of the rare places in southern Europe where the freshwater grayling, known in French as ombre des rivières, occurs in a natural habitat.
Grayling like to live in shoals and are sensitive to pollution. In the Allier these fish are more abundant in the stretch between Langogne and Brioude. They are economically important, being appreciated for food and fished for sport.Gallery
