Sioule

The Sioule (French pronunciation: [sjul]; Occitan: Siula) is a 164-kilometre (102 mi) long river in central France, a left tributary of the river Allier.^[1] Its source is near the village of Orcival, north of Mont-Dore, in the Massif Central. The Sioule has cut a deep gorge, especially in its upper course. The Sioule flows generally northeast through the following departments and towns:

• Puy-de-Dôme: Pontgibaud
• Allier: Ébreuil, Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule

Sioule
The bridge over the Sioule in Menat
Location
Country	France
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Massif Central
• elevation	1,090 m (3,580 ft)
Mouth
• location	Allier
• coordinates	46°21′57″N 3°19′11″E
• elevation	222 m (728 ft)
Length	164 km (102 mi)
Basin size	2,468 km2 (953 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	26 m3/s (920 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression	Allier→ Loire→ Atlantic Ocean

The Sioule flows into the river Allier at La Ferté-Hauterive, 10 km (6 mi) north of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule.

Its main tributaries are the Sioulet and the Bouble.

The Fades viaduct, the tallest railway bridge in France, is located on the Sioule.