4-Day Adventure: Explore Clermont-Ferrand, France
Experience the charm, culture, and natural beauty of Clermont-Ferrand, France.
22 April 2023
Raymonde Gagnon
France Travel Writer
As a tourist visiting Clermont-Ferrand, France, you will be impressed by the splendid natural beauty of the area dominated by the Chaîne des Puys mountain range. Marvel at the striking black stone architecture of the Notre-Dame-du-Port Basilica, and explore the town's rich history at the Musée Bargoin, showcasing Roman artifacts and folkloric art. A visit to this charming French town would not be complete without trying some authentic Auvergne cuisine, such as the famous Truffade potatoes, and cheese dishes like Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, and Bleu d'Auvergne.
Travel plan
Getting latest place information
- Check into Best Western Plus Hotel Garden and take a nap in the cozy room
- Head out to Place de Jaude, the heart of the city, and admire the grand statue of Vercingetorix
- Visit Notre-Dame-du-Port, a magnificent Romanesque church that oozes history
- Tap into your inner foodie and grab a sandwich from Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Chabrier
- Take a stroll through Jardin Lecoq, a picturesque garden where peacocks strut around
- Take the rack railway up to Puy-de-Dôme, an ancient dormant volcano with breathtaking views
- Hike to the Temple of Mercury, a well-preserved Roman temple that sits atop the mountain
- Admire the Panorama de Dôme, a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys
- Grab some local cheese from the market on the way back down
- Reward yourself with a dinner at Le Jardin de la Gare, a cozy restaurant with delicious traditional cuisine
- Visit the Michelin Adventure museum and learn about the history of the iconic tire company
- Take a tour of the Michelin factory and see how tires are made
- Admire the stunning stained glass windows at Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
- Grab a coffee at the charming Café Les Augustes
- Take a nighttime guided tour of the city with Clermont-Ferrand Tourisme, and cap it off with a drink at Les Berthom
- Take a hot air balloon ride over the city and see it from above
- Visit the BASALT Organ to hear other-worldly sounds created by volcanic rocks
- Try the local specialty, Puy lentils, at Chez Toinette
- Take a tour of the Musée d'Art Roger-Quilliot, a stunning museum with a diverse collection of art
- End the day with a picnic at Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, a massive natural park with stunning views.
Length of stay
Type of trip
How to get there
Plane
The best way to get to Clermont-Ferrand by plane is to fly to Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport or Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport. Airlines such as Air France, Ryanair, and easyJet operate flights to the city.
Car
The best way to get to Clermont-Ferrand by car is to take the A71 motorway from Paris or the A75 motorway from Montpellier. The journey takes around 4 and 2.5 hours respectively.
Train
Clermont-Ferrand has a train station called Gare de Clermont-Ferrand which is served by TGV, TER, and Intercités trains. The best way to get there by train is to take a TGV train from Paris or Lyon which takes around 3 hours.
Boat
There are no direct boat connections to Clermont-Ferrand as it is a landlocked city. The nearest major port is Marseille which is around 4 hours away by car.
Bus
The best way to get to Clermont-Ferrand by bus is to take a Flixbus from Paris which takes around 6 hours. There are also bus services from Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse.