6 Auvergne volcano museums: complete guide to must-see sites
Auvergne, a land of dormant volcanoes and landscapes shaped by the fire of the earth, is home to geological treasures that are unique in Europe. At the heart of this exceptional region, the Chaîne des Puys, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a fascinating terrain in which to explore and understand the volcanic history of our territories. From theme parks to authentic sites and interpretation centres, discover 6 must-see museums and sites that will plunge you into the fascinating world of Auvergne’s volcanoes.
Also in the Clermont-Ferrand guide:
- Top 10 culinary specialities in Clermont-Ferrand
- Top 5 hotels to stay in Clermont-Ferrand
- The most beautiful walks in Puy-de-Dôme
- The 7 most beautiful villages around Clermont-Ferrand
- Sleeping in the Auvergne volcanoes: 8 places to stay
- 12 unusual romantic weekends in the Auvergne
- 18 must-do things to do in Auvergne
- The 12 most beautiful villages in the Cantal and well worth a visit
- 15 not-to-be-missed excursions around Lyon
- France’s most beautiful national and nature parks
1. Vulcania: the Auvergne volcano exploration park
It’s impossible to talk about museums dedicated to the history of volcanoes in Auvergne without starting with Vulcania (Route de Mazayes, 63230 Saint-Ours, rated 3.6/5 on Google out of 3,829 reviews), a veritable European benchmark for volcanic science culture. Located in the heart of the Chaîne des Puys, this unique park skilfully combines entertainment and education to help you discover the secrets of our planet.
From the moment you arrive at this temple to volcanic phenomena, you’ll be immersed in a world where science becomes spectacle. The park’s star attractions, such as “The Awakening of the Auvergne Giants” and “In the Eyes of Thomas Pesquet”, use the latest technology to transport you to the heart of the volcanoes. Films on giant screens reveal the raw beauty and power of volcanic eruptions, while interactive experiments allow the whole family to manipulate and understand geological phenomena.
The youngest visitors are also catered for, with events specially designed for them, including meetings with scientists who can answer all their questions about the volcanoes of Auvergne. The park also offers temporary exhibitions to complement the permanent experience, providing a constantly renewed look at volcanism around the world.
Download the audio tour to discover Clermont-Ferrand on foot and on your own
Take advantage of your volcanic holiday to explore the capital of Auvergne on our audio tour of Clermont-Ferrand. On this 5.3 km tour, you’ll discover the city’s 21 places of interest, including Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral, built of Volvic stone and an architectural testimony to the region’s volcanic history.
2. Lemptégy volcano: a dive inside a real volcano
Fifteen minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, the Lemptégy volcano (63230 Saint-Ours-les-Roches, rated 4.4/5 on Google for 1,391 reviews) offers an experience that is unique in the world: exploring the inside of an authentic open-air volcano. Born over 30,000 years ago, this strombolian volcano was exploited as a pozzolana quarry after the Second World War, revealing its internal structure in a stunning geological spectacle.
The 2.5-hour guided tour takes you through the 11 levels of mining that sculpt the colourful walls of the crater, creating a 10-hectare cavity of ochre, red and black hues. You’ll discover the different geological layers that tell the story of successive eruptions, while handling real volcanic rocks: slag, volcanic bombs and solidified lava flows.
The 3.2 km mini-train ride offers an exceptional overview of the site and its surroundings, with a panoramic view of the Chaîne des Puys and its 80 volcanoes in a row. The old industrial machines – scalpers, screens, trommels and crushers – are an integral part of the visit, bearing witness to the past exploitation that made this extraordinary geological discovery possible.
3. Maison du parc des volcans d’Auvergne in Aydat
At the Château de Montlosier, the Maison du Parc des Volcans d’Auvergne (Domaine de Montlosier, 63970 Aydat, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 156 reviews) is the ideal gateway to understanding the whole of Auvergne’s volcanic territory. Currently closed for renovation until 2027, this themed house remains an essential reference point for preparing your exploration of the Auvergne volcanoes.
The permanent exhibition traces the fascinating history of the formation of Auvergne’s volcanoes, from the first magma eruptions to the landscapes of today. Interactive models help visitors understand the different types of volcanic eruption that have shaped the region: explosive for the trachytic domes, effusive for the basaltic flows, and phreatomagmatic for the maars.
The shop offers a selection of local volcanic products, detailed hiking guides for exploring the puys and specialist books on Auvergne geology. Groups can take advantage of a picnic room, ideally located for exploring the whole of the nature park.
4. Puy de Dôme site house at Orcines
Located in Orcines (Route du Puy de Dôme, 63870 Orcines, rated 4.1/5 on Google out of 847 reviews), the Maison de site is the ideal starting point for climbing Auvergne’s most famous volcano. This modern visitor centre offers much more than just an information point: it’s a real introduction to discovering the Puy de Dôme and its exceptional heritage.
The tourist reception area features an exhibition dedicated to the geological history of the Puy de Dôme, an 11,000-year-old Pelean volcano. The terrace offers an uninterrupted view of the trachytic dome, providing an insight into its formation in two successive eruptive phases. The bistro offers local cuisine based on local volcanic products, ideal before or after the climb.
For younger visitors (aged 4-10), an immersive, fun room specially designed for schoolchildren offers interactive activities on volcanology. Temporary exhibitions regularly complement the permanent exhibitions, covering different aspects of the site’s natural and cultural heritage.
5. Temple of Mercury and museum area at the summit of the Puy de Dôme
At the summit of the Puy de Dôme, at an altitude of 1,465 metres, stand the remains of the Temple de Mercure (Sommet du Puy de Dôme, 63870 Orcines, rated 4.3/5 on Google out of 2,184 reviews), the largest mountain sanctuary in Roman Gaul. Built in the 2nd century AD, this temple dedicated to Mercury Dumias (of the Dôme) bears witness to the ancient veneration for this sacred mountain.
The interactive museum area, accessible after climbing the Panoramique des Dômes or walking the muleteers’ path, immerses visitors in the history of this exceptional monument. Archaeological excavations have revealed an impressive 2,000 m² religious complex, with walls up to 7 metres high and remarkably well-preserved foundations.
The permanent treasure hunt “Mystères au Puy de Dôme, les Reliques du Temple” offers three levels of difficulty for a fun discovery of the site. The themed trails – Pilgrims’ Way, Conquerors’ Way and Curious Men’s Way – allow you to explore the different historical facets of the site while enjoying a 360° panoramic view of the Chaîne des Puys.
Let the Navaway itinerary be your guide as you explore Orcines, revealing all the secrets of this volcanic village, gateway to the Puy de Dôme and its thousand-year-old heritage.
6. Theme houses in the Auvergne Volcanoes Park
The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park is developing a network of theme centres throughout the region, each specialising in a particular aspect of the region’s volcanic and natural heritage. These interpretation centres are gateways to understanding the geological and cultural wealth of volcanic Auvergne.
The Maison de la Faune in Murat (15300 Murat, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 89 reviews) presents the exceptional biodiversity of Cantalien volcanic environments. Located at the foot of the Plomb du Cantal, it reveals the remarkable adaptations of flora and fauna to the constraints of the high-altitude volcanic environment. Interactive exhibits enable visitors to discover the emblematic species of Auvergne’s volcanoes, from mouflons to birds of prey.
In Riom-ès-Montagnes, the Maison de la gentiane – Espace Avèze (15400 Riom-ès-Montagnes, rated 4.0/5 on Google for 67 reviews) explores the world of this plant emblematic of the Auvergne volcanoes. From botany to distillery, via local traditions, this themed house reveals all the secrets of yellow gentian, the true plant gold of the volcanic highlands.
Other houses in the park, at Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues and Volvic, complete the interpretation network, focusing respectively on the geology of the Cezallier volcanoes and the quarrying of volcanic rock. Each visit sheds additional light on the formation and evolution of Auvergne’s volcanic landscapes, enhanced by interactive activities and meetings with enthusiastic guide-lecturers.
In conclusion, these 6 museums and exceptional sites offer a complete panorama of Auvergne’s volcanic history, combining scientific discovery, historical heritage and natural wonder. From Vulcania to the houses in the park, exploring the Lemptégy volcano and discovering Mercury’s temple, each site makes its own contribution to the understanding of Auvergne’s volcanoes. Don’t forget to round off your volcano tour with a visit to Clermont-Ferrand, capital of this land of fire that continues to fascinate geologists and travellers from all over the world.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best museum for exploring the volcanoes of the Auvergne?
Vulcania is a must-see for a complete first visit, with its interactive attractions and spectacular films. For an authentic experience, the Lemptégy volcano lets you explore a real open-air volcanic crater.
How long will it take to visit these volcanic sites?
Allow a full day for Vulcania, half a day for Lemptégy, and 2-3 hours for each of the houses in the park. Climbing the Puy de Dôme and visiting the Temple of Mercury require an extra half-day.
Are these museums suitable for children?
Absolutely! All of them offer special activities for young visitors. Vulcania and Lemptégy are particularly popular with families, with fun trails and sensory experiences for all ages.
Can these sites be visited all year round?
Most of the sites close in winter (November to February). Vulcania and Lemptégy generally reopen in March, while access to Puy de Dôme depends on weather conditions. Check the opening times before your visit.
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