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Clermont-Ferrand with the family: Vulcania, Lemptégy, Michelin and other outings

Published 31 October 2026

With children, Clermont-Ferrand has enough to fill several days: volcanoes to explore, museums suited to younger visitors and large parks in town. Watch the calendar: Vulcania closes its 2026 season on 1 November and has not yet published its 2027 dates. The rest of the year, L'Aventure Michelin, the muséum Henri-Lecoq and the puy de Dôme remain open.

Vulcania: one to plan for next season

The volcano theme park, in Saint-Ours-les-Roches, was open from 25 March to 1 November 2026, generally from 10 am to 6 pm. From 2 November, it is closed for the winter. The dates for the 2027 season are not yet on the Vulcania website: check it at the start of the year before booking.

Allow a full day on site and arrive at opening time in summer, when the queues grow longer by late morning. During the school holidays, a seasonal shuttle links Clermont to the park: we have detailed it in Puy de Dôme and Vulcania without a car.

The volcan de Lemptégy: step inside a volcano

A stone's throw from Vulcania, the volcan de Lemptégy can be visited from the inside. Past quarrying has laid bare its innards: you go down to 80 metres into the old crater, among volcanic bombs, scoria and chimneys. The visit lasts about 2 hrs 30 mins, on foot or by little train, which spares little legs.

The site opens from February to November. Check its calendar before you go, especially in late autumn.

L'Aventure Michelin: open all year round

North-east of the centre, near the stade Marcel-Michelin, L'Aventure Michelin tells the story of the Clermont company in a lively way. Children enjoy the driving simulators, Bibendum in all his forms and the play area designed for ages 5 and up. An immersive tablet game, L'Attrapeur de Nuages (The Cloud Catcher), is played in teams of 1 to 6 players.

• Access: 32 rue du Clos Four, tram A, Stade Marcel Michelin stop.
• 2026 prices: €13 per adult, €9 for ages 7 to 17, free for under-7s. A €36 family pack covers four people including at least one young person.
• Worth checking: opening times vary by period and there is an annual closure. Check the L'Aventure Michelin website before you come.

The muséum Henri-Lecoq and the jardin Lecoq

Right in the centre, on rue Bardoux, the muséum Henri-Lecoq is a good outing on a rainy day. Its natural science collections appeal to curious children: nearly 700 mammals and 2,400 mounted birds, thousands of insects and shells, rocks and fossils. You can also see a Pascaline, the calculating machine invented by Blaise Pascal.

Admission is free for under-18s and costs €5 for adults. The museum is closed on Mondays and on certain public holidays, including 1 November and 25 December.

On the way out, the jardin Lecoq is just round the corner: lawns, a play area, a duck pond and, in the warmer months, small rowing boats for hire.

Outdoors: volcanoes, plateaus and lakes

• The puy de Dôme: the Panoramique des Dômes rack railway climbs to the summit in about fifteen minutes, all year round. Bring a windproof jacket, even in summer.
• The puy de Pariou: with children who are good walkers, the loop of about 6 km from the parking des Goules leads to the rim of an almost perfect crater. Allow 2 hrs 30 mins.
• The plateau de Gergovie: free access, wide open spaces and views over the plain. Ideal for running around and picnics.
• Lac d'Aydat: in July and August, its beach is lifeguarded in the afternoon. See our article on the lakes around Clermont.

Where to stay with children

For families, space matters as much as location. On the heights of Clermont, the Maison des Fleurs sleeps 6 people in 3 bedrooms, with a terrace opening onto the garden, private parking, a travel cot and a high chair. It is close to the parc de Montjuzet and its play areas. You will find it among our city-centre properties.

If Vulcania and the volcanoes are on next year's programme, our Au Cœur des Volcans flats, in Orcines, are at the foot of the puy de Dôme; the largest sleeps 6 people. To bring several families together, see our group stays page. All our properties can be booked from one night, with cleaning and linen included.