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: Chapeauroux (left side) Senouire (right side) Alagnon (left side) Anse Couze Pavin (left side) Dore (right side) Dolore (left side) (left side) Sioule (left side) Monne (left side) Veyre (left side) Ecology The Allier is one of the rare places in southern Europe where the freshwater grayling (Thymallus thymallus), 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 References Rivers of France Rivers of Allier Rivers of Ardèche Rivers of Cher (department) Rivers of Haute-Loire Rivers of Lozère Rivers of Nièvre Rivers of Puy-de-Dôme Rivers of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Rivers of Centre-Val de Loire Rivers of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Rivers of Occitania (administrative region)