9 Best Things To Do In Clermont-Ferrand, France

things to do in clermont-ferrand france
Marina
Marina 
Updated
| 5 min read

Welcome to Clermont-Ferrand, the wonderful gem that is very well hidden from the eyes of the world! As splendid as it’s often presented, the lovely French city could be found resting in the peaceful Auvergne region. With this, it’s probably the perfect timing to break up with the big noisy cities and blend with the friendly crowd in Clermont-Ferrand!

Don’t think too much about Paris, Venice or Marseille now. Besides, this stunning place is actually no less attractive for sure! Indeed, you’ve got no idea how lovely your trip in the wonderful Clermont-Ferrand will truly be! Enjoy it!

Read on to find out about the best things to do in Clermont-Ferrand, France:

1. Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption

Cathedrale clermont montjuzet 2015
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Fabien1309 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Our first essential tourist spot is none other than the majestic Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Situated on the Place de la Victoire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, the emblematic Cathedral is indeed one of the first tourist spots which any newcomer should definitely stop by. After all, you just can’t let this unique opportunity just pass you by, can you? Besides, the atmosphere surrounding this exact location cannot be felt anywhere else. The prominent Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption features a Gothic-inspired architecture which totally serves its purpose so wonderfully well.

Explore the Gothic world: The famous Dom can have anyone stare at its unique architectural style and design as if being struck by a lightning.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption

Address: Place de la Victoire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand

Website: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption

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2. Place de Jaude

Place de Jaude ©Salomé Chartron

Posted by Clermont Auvergne Tourisme on Friday, 16 June 2017

While being on your first-time sightseeing tour of the wonderful French city, we suggest that you pass by the symbolical Place De Jaude. Actually, it does serve as a great central point which you can totally use as an improvised “map” to get you going. Additionally, it’s also an essential location where many important and exciting events are often held. Great examples of thrilling and long-awaited seasonal events are the Europavox Music Festival or the famous The Summer Contre-Plongées.

Pop around for a visit: As you can see, there’s certainly an abundance of wild options for having fun around here.

Place de Jaude

Address: Place de Jaude, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand

Website: Place de Jaude

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3. Le Musee d’Art Roger Quillot

Posted by Musée d'Art Roger-Quilliot on Saturday, 8 September 2012

Here we are with another appreciable tourist spot, namely the Le Musee d’Art Roger Quillot. Well, when talking about Clermont-Ferrand’s best city features, one thing is for certain - this small yet gorgeous city can truly offer us an exceptional range of interesting and unique locations that any visitor will surely love! An ideal instance of this is the prominent Le Musee d’Art Roger Quillot. The noteworthy museum of art doesn’t only impress its guests and international visitors with its extraordinary architectural design.

Travel in time: Upon entering, tourists are simply offered a peep into the city’s grand history and past seen through the museum’s artifacts and rich collections of art! Enjoy it!

Musee d’Art Roger Quillot

Address: Place Louis Deteix, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand

Website: Musee d’Art Roger Quillot (in French)

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4. L’Aventure Michelin

Michelin 1895 L'Eclair 5203
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Clem Rutter, Roch... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

It’s the best time for you to meet another symbolic tourist spot around here which is surely much more than a major attraction in the eyes of newcomers and international visitors. As its name suggests, the world-recognized museum features an exquisite array of extraordinary and breathtaking collections which could totally serve as an immense representation of the city’s traditions and art culture. Besides, another unique feature that makes the wonderful L’Aventure Michelin museum stand out is the curious Micheline railcar, Bréguet airplane as well as the Gaul coin.

Explore the museum: Don’t miss to see dragonflies, the Michelin Man and many other exceptional works of art at the museum!

L’Aventure Michelin

Address: 32 Rue du Clos Four, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand

Website: L’Aventure Michelin (in French)

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5. Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port

Chevet de la Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user GautierPoupeau used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Indeed, the world-recognized Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port is certainly one of the best city’s highlights that any adventurer in the lovely city of Clermont-Ferrand should totally visit. Alongside its awe-striking appearance and gorgeous looks in general, the emblematic building absolutely has a special place in French people’s hearts. Fundamentally, the famous Basilique and Notre Dame Cathedral are certainly two of the main worthwhile tourist spots which absolutely have any visitor astounded at the sight of such a marvelous and majestic building.

Come around: The noteworthy Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port is found quite easily given its perfect location that’s within a close reach of the city’s best attractions and landmarks in general.

Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port

Address: 4 Rue Notre Dame du Port, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand

Website: Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port

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6. Musée Bargoin

Bronze foot discovered in 2006 in Clermont-Ferrand
Source: Photo by Flickr user Carole Raddato used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Inaugurated in 1903, the lovely Musée Bargoin is situated right at the heart of the lustrous city of Clermont-Ferrand, France. the prominent museum features broad and authentic art collections. Actually, the worthwhile museum is made up of two main departments each of which devoted to a specific field of knowledge. Let’s take the first department as an example: indeed, it keeps rich and original collections of archeological artifacts as the other one is primarily focused on textiles as another sphere of knowledge.

Explore its history: Upon entering this heavily crowded museum, international visitors are deeply enchanted by the history and development of these two spheres altogether.

Musée Bargoin

Address: 45 Rue Ballainvillier, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand

Website: Musée Bargoin (in French)

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7. The Majestic Puy de Dôme volcano

Puy de Dôme Aq18
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Aquila18 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

For all of you, nature lovers, the shiny city of Clermont-Ferrand can totally excite your eyes and mind with the exceptional volcanic complex that this gorgeous city is so proud of. Meet The Majestic Puy de Dôme volcanic complex located right at the heart of the famous Auvergne region. Perching up at about 1,465 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level, the awe-striking volcano named Puy de Dôme opens a marvelous view of the vast horizon while overlooking the entire city. This out-of-the-ordinary natural space is quite delicate which makes it a rare location that has to be protected and well preserved.

Enjoy the extraordinary landscape: Note that the famous Puy de Dôme volcano is a part of the Chaîne des Puys (a complex chain of volcanoes) which attracts more than 550,000 visitors annually.

Puy de Dôme

Address: region of Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France

Website: Puy de Dôme (in French)

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8. Parc de Montjuzet

Posted by Jean Brugheat on Monday, 5 June 2017

Are you fond of early morning walks through the park? If so, then you’ll certainly love the idea of exploring another gorgeous city location, namely the Parc de Montjuzet. As raw and authentic as this tranquil place is, the splendid park is just another fresh thought where you could totally take the burden off your shoulders. Besides, there’s a feeling of such a harmony floating in the air. Can you sense it? Relax: If not, then you’d better rush out the door of your hotel room and feel the peacefulness and stillness of this wonderful and very well maintained park de Montjuzet. Enjoy it!

Parc de Montjuzet

Address: 10 Rue du Parc de Montjuzet, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand

Website: Parc de Montjuzet (in French)

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9. Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival

Kratkofil Plus 2011's Open Air Theatre
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kratkofil used under CC BY-SA 3.0

And last, but certainly not least, let’s talk about the lovely Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. Indeed, it’s an ideal location and a thrilling tourist place where newcomers can totally blend with the French crowd. Besides, you’d not want to miss out on visiting some of the most exciting and adventurous events year-round, would you? Because the world-famous Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is definitely a fitting example of such a long-awaited event!

Come around: Have fun while meeting new friends and enjoying the exciting short-film festival! Make the most of it!

Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival

Website: Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival

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What to expect from the lovely Clermont-Ferrand

With such a marvelous variety of awesome things to do, there’s definitely no way that any newcomer or adventurer would regret coming around here in the first place! Besides, the summer season is officially here and so are some of the most exciting and unique events and festivals in the lustrous city of Clermont-Ferrand. Bring your best friends along and make the most of your summer holiday together on a French territory!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Marina Yoveva is a creative thinker, adventurer, and a poetry lover. In her spare time, she loves reading, writing on her personal blog and spending time with her family and friends. She's also a...Read more

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