4-Day Adventure: Explore Clermont-Ferrand, France

Experience the charm, culture, and natural beauty of Clermont-Ferrand, France.

22 April 2023

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
Day 1

Arrival and Exploration

  • 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
Day 2

Puy-de-Dôme

  • 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
Day 3

Michelin Adventure

  • 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
Day 4

Unique Experiences

  • 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.

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.

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