Top 5 things to do in Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand is a town renowned for its high-quality gastronomy, and it’s always a good idea to sample its various specialities, such as Bleu d’Auvergne, Cantal and truffade. But there’s more to the historic capital of the Auvergne than its food. You’ll have the chance to discover unusual places full of history, such as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption and its mysterious black colour. A little further afield and you’ll soon come upon an ancient chain of volcanoes offering breathtaking scenery.

1- Admire the panoramic view of the Domes

Category: € / Cultural

Description: Leaving from Orcines, a small town near Clermont-Ferrand, you will board a small train that will take you to the Puy Des Dômes. The train journey takes around 15 minutes. You’ll have time to admire the scenery from your cabin as you climb to the summit. Once off the train, you’ll find yourself on a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Grand Site de France. Perched at an altitude of 1,465 metres, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the landscape and the array of inactive volcanoes covered in vegetation.

2- Visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption

Category: Cultural

Description: No visit to Clermont-Ferrand is complete without a visit to the sumptuous Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral, a listed historic monument. Its breathtaking architecture and black colour will leave you speechless. Construction began in the 13th century at the wish of Bishop Hugues de la Tour. After six centuries of fine-tuning, construction was completed. The distinctive feature of this cathedral is its exterior facades, which are a very black colour. This colour comes from the materials and stones used, giving it a surprising appearance. It is made from a volcanic rock called Volvic stone. This rock comes from the lava flows of the Puy de la Nugère in Volvic. Thanks to its characteristics, this stone was widely used in the construction industry in Clermont-Ferrand. Its atypical, dark architecture promises a strong contrast with the interior.

3- Have a picnic in Montjuzet Park

Category: Gastronomic

Description: Parc de Montjuzet is the largest park located in Clermont-Ferrand. The park covers 26 hectares. 26 hectares full of flora and fauna to discover before setting down your tablecloth and contemplating the view. The park sits at an altitude of 485 metres, overlooking an ancient volcano that bears the park’s name. There is a small Mediterranean garden with cypresses from Provence, umbrella pines, olive trees and holm oaks. Other more exotic plant species are also present, offering a very pleasant diversity. As you stroll around, you’re likely to come across Chinese palms, several species of eucalyptus and even a little-known tree: the monkey’s despair, a tree found mainly in South America, and more particularly in Chile and Argentina. So, take a trip to Clermont-Ferrand town centre to buy some good local specialities such as cheese, wine and charcuterie, and head over to the Montujzet park for a picnic while enjoying the view over the whole town.

4- Immerse yourself in Clermont-Ferrand’s medieval quarter

Category: Cultural

Description: As if frozen in time, the Montferrand district is a place not to be missed during your stay in Auvergne. The district was founded in the 12th century by the Counts of Auvergne Montferrand. Situated 4 kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand, Montferrand was once a count’s town, in conflict with its neighbour Clermont-Ferrand, which was a bishop’s town. There were several conflicts between these towns, which were separated by just a few kilometres, until 1630, when the Edict of Troyes aimed to reunite the two cities. Montferrand retained a degree of autonomy until 1732, when Louis XV enforced the reunification of the two towns, giving birth to Clermont-Ferrand. You can visit this magnificent district with its medieval architecture and surprising ramparts. For your information: the Médiévales Montferrand, a traditional festival that takes you straight back to the Middle Ages, takes place in June.

5- Visit the Roger-Quilliot art museum

Category: € / Cultural

Description: The Musée d’Art Roger-Quillot is located in the emblematic district of Montferrand. The building housing the museum is a former Ursuline convent built in the 12th century. The building is listed as a Historic Monument and houses almost 2,000 works dating from the 12th century to the 20th. Paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, everything is there to amaze your eyes. This museum is a true cultural centre for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is one of the places not to be missed in Clermont-Ferrand.