To begin with, Clermont-Ferrand is a city in the center of France, in the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region, located near the Puys mountain range. It’s the capital of the Puy-de-Dôme department and the historical capital of the Auvergne. To the west, Clermont-Ferrand is overlooked by a granitic plateau on which lies the Puys chain and the Limagne fault, the largest chain of volcanoes in Europe, among which stands the most famous, the Puy de Dôme at 1465 meters.
To the north of the city lies the fertile Limagne plain, bathed by the Allier River, the second largest cereal-growing plain in France, rich in volcanic residues accumulated over 400,000 years.
For my part, I lived 1 year in Clermont-Ferrand during my studies, and I really appreciated its landscapes and its mountain ranges. For mountain lovers, it’s really a corner of paradise.
In this post, I will show you the must-sees.
It’s a city of wonders. Many buildings in the city center are made of black volcanic stones. You can stroll along the streets and alleys, you will come across beautiful wonders like the Cité Vaudoit, a very beautiful civil complex of the 19th century.
Rue des Gras. This is the main street of Clermont-Ferrand, the one that offers you the famous black stone Cathedral as a backdrop. In this street, you will find many stores and if you want to have an incredible view on this street, I advise you to climb the steps of the cathedral.
Shopping addicts will not miss the famous Place Jaude. It’s the main square of Clermont-Ferrand, you will find there cinemas, restaurants and a big shopping center.
The city has a magnificent public garden named the Jardin Lecoq. It’s especially a very restful place where the people of Clermont-Ferrand like to come and relax. In winter, when it snows, the garden is all covered with snow which gives it a magical aspect.
Nice family walk at the foot of the Tartaret volcano. You can walk along the lake and enjoy the view on the Sancy massif in some places. You can park on the parking of the big beach. A path goes around and you will also pass on a small pontoon. Be careful, in winter it is quite frozen.
You want to escape for a while in the middle of nature in the Massif Central? You are probably wondering which volcano to choose in Auvergne for a hike that offers a superb view of the Puy chain? Then I advise you to take the direction of Orcines to join the starting point of the hike of Puy Pariou, the most beautiful volcano in Auvergne that I could discover.
The hike of the Puy du Pariou is accessible to any person used to hiking and quite simple. This is what makes it one of the most visited volcanoes in Auvergne. The ascent is done in the forest in the shade of the trees. At the top, we discover the immensity and the beauty of this volcano.
From the top of its 1 886 meters, the Puy de Sancy dominates the Massif Central. It’s also the highest summit of Auvergne! An ascent made accessible to all thanks to the cable car that you can take at the Mont-Dore station. You can enjoy the 360 degree panorama and admire the Auvergne volcanoes. You can also walk on the ridges and then decide to go back down to the cable car on foot.
This resort is located in the Grand Sancy ski area. In October 2018, the professional magazine Montagne Leaders ranked it as the number one resort in the Massif Central, so it’s a good reason to go there!
Emblematic hike of the south of the Puy de Dôme, the Valley of the Saints welcomes about 30,000 tourists each year. It’s an Auvergne Colorado made up of magnificent red clay chimneys, omnipresent surrounding vineyards which produce one of the best wines of Auvergne, the “Côte d’Auvergne Boudes”, without counting the ancestral forest of pines and the rocks to be surveyed.
It’s an amusement park that allows everyone to better understand how volcanoes and our planet work. In the heart of the Puy-de-Dôme and only 20 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, Vulcania promises a scientific and entertaining adventure. Since its opening, the park has welcomed more than 6 million visitors.
This hotel is located in the historic heart of Royat, near Clermont-Ferrand. This hotel invites us to a walk full of charm in a warm atmosphere reminiscent of the late 19th century.
Don’t hesitate to contact our team for more information.
After all these beautiful discoveries, I can only advise you to make a trip to Auvergne. An authentic region full of character that will make our adventurous spirits capsize.
If you enjoyed this post Visit Clermont-Ferrand and its surroundings during a getaway, you can check The 5 best national parks in France.
