Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is the capital of the Puy-de-Dôme department in central France, with a chain of dormant volcanoes around it and a cathedral built of black lava stone.
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Clermont-Ferrand is the capital of the Puy-de-Dôme department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France. The city sits on the Limagne plain in the Massif Central, with the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of dormant volcanoes, rising around it. The Puy de Dôme, about 10 km away, is the best-known summit. You can see it from the city, and communications towers stand on its top. Blaise Pascal, the mathematician and philosopher, was born here in 1623, and Michelin still has its headquarters in the city.
The cathedral is a Gothic church of black lava stone, built between the 13th and 19th centuries, and it is the city's central landmark. Notre-Dame du Port, a Romanesque church from the 11th and 12th centuries, stands in the old town. Place de Jaude, the central square, has an equestrian statue of Vercingetorix. Summers can pass 35 °C, often with violent thunderstorms, and from November to March frost is very frequent. Plan your days around the old town and a trip up the Puy de Dôme.
Clermont-Ferrand in five
- Reach the Puy de Dôme by train or on footA panoramic rack train runs to the summit in season; trails also climb from the base. Book the train ahead in busy periods and check operation on the day.Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
- See the black cathedral and Romanesque churchesThe Gothic cathedral is built of dark volcanic stone, and Notre-Dame-du-Port is a Romanesque gem. Both sit within an easy walk.
- Book ahead for the short film festivalThe international short film festival fills hotels in late winter. Check dates and book ahead if you plan around it.
- Compare it with Chambéry for outdoorsChambéry gives Alps access; Clermont gives volcanoes and a quieter Massif Central.Chambéry
Things to do in Clermont-Ferrand
See all attractions in Clermont-Ferrand
Need to know
- Airport
- Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne (CFE), small, with a few routes
- Getting there
- Train from Paris about 3.5 hours; from Lyon about 2–2.5 hours
- Getting around
- Tram and buses in the city; car for the volcanoes
- Best base
- Near the old center and the tram line
- Time needed
- 1–2 days, or 3–4 with the Volcans park
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low0°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Short film festFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short film fest
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Cool, quietMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low5°Spring, openAprilRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, open
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Green, hikingMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, hiking
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Warm, hikingJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Warm, hikingJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Warm, hikingAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Autumn colorSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Autumn, mildOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, mild
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Rainy, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, quiet
- DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Cold, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Clermont-Ferrand, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Clermont-Ferrand
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Auvergne
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue7°2°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed8°0°31%Wednesday: Rain. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Thu9°6°35%Thursday: Rain. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Fri11°6°26%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sat13°1°9%Saturday: Fog. High 13°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun14°0°29%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 07:19 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Puy de Dômeabout 20–30 min by roadThe best-known volcano, with rack train and trails.
- Volcans d'Auvergne parkabout 30–60 min by roadLakes, craters and walking routes.Read the guide
- Lyonabout 2–2.5 hours by trainA food city with a historic center.Read the guide
Before you go to Clermont-Ferrand
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Rules for Clermont-Ferrand, checked
- Non-EU visitors: check entry rules on France Diplomatie before you fly.Source
- Carry your passport or ID card. Police in France can ask to see identity papers.
- Smoking is banned in enclosed public places, including bars, cafés, restaurants and trains.
- Meat and dairy from outside the EU are restricted. Check customs rules on the Douane site before you carry food into France.Source
Plan around Clermont-Ferrand
Volcanoes, lakes and cheeses of the Massif Central
Read the guideVolcans d'Auvergne parkPeaks and trails near the city
Read the guideLyonBig city to the east by train
Read the guideLimogesPorcelain city to the west
Read the guideGetting around FranceTER trains and fixed fares
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, cities and train routes
Read the guideClermont-Ferrand FAQ
Is Clermont-Ferrand worth visiting?
Yes for the dark-stone cathedral, Romanesque churches and the volcanoes nearby. It is quieter than Lyon and works as a base.
How do you get to the Puy de Dôme?
By rack train from the base station or by foot. Check the operator's site for seasons and seat booking.
How many days do you need in Clermont-Ferrand?
One day for the city; two to four if you add the volcano park.
How do you get from Paris to Clermont-Ferrand?
By direct train in about 3.5 hours. Check the schedule and book for your date.
Is Clermont-Ferrand better than Chambéry as a base?
Choose Clermont for volcanoes and the Massif Central, Chambéry for the Alps and lakes.