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Clermont-Ferrand in winter: things to do

Published 5 November 2026

Winter in Clermont-Ferrand means museums, ice skating, warm baths and trips to the top of the Puy de Dôme. Most of these places stay open all winter and many can be reached by tram, which is free at weekends. Here are our ideas, with the published opening times and prices, and the closures to know about before you go.

Museums, in the warm

The MARQ, Roger-Quilliot art museum

Located on place Louis-Deteix, in the historic Montferrand district, the MARQ is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. It is closed on 1 January, 25 December and on 24 and 31 December. Entry costs €5 (€3 concessions) and is free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, as well as for under-18s and students. Information on the Clermont Auvergne Métropole website (in French).

The Muséum Henri-Lecoq

At 15 rue Bardoux, near the Jardin Lecoq, the natural history museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm. It is closed on Mondays. Tram A, Universités or Lagarlaye stops. Please note that the building is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

L'Aventure Michelin

The brand's museum, at 32 rue du Clos Four, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm outside school holidays, and every day during the holidays. Last entry 1 h 30 before closing. Allow €13 per adult and €9 for ages 7 to 17; under-7s go free. Tram A, Stade Marcel Michelin stop. Details on the L'Aventure Michelin website.

Please note: the Musée Bargoin has been closed for works since 1 August 2026, with no reopening date announced.

Heritage in the centre

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built of Volvic stone, can be visited free of charge all year round: Monday to Saturday from 9 am (until 6 pm, with a break from 12 pm to 2 pm), and on Sundays and public holidays from 3 pm to 6 pm. Its west front is partly under scaffolding for restoration.

A few streets away, the Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port, built from the 1130s onwards, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998 as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. Do not miss its Romanesque capitals and the Black Madonna in the crypt. For a first visit to the city, see also our article discovering Clermont-Ferrand.

Skating and warm baths

The ice rink

The Clermont Auvergne Métropole ice rink, 155 boulevard Gustave-Flaubert (Lycée Lafayette stop), offers public sessions during school term on Wednesday (2.15 pm-5.15 pm and 9.30 pm-11 pm), Thursday evening, Friday evening, Saturday (2.15 pm-5.15 pm and 9 pm-midnight) and Sunday (10 am-11.30 am and 2.30 pm-6 pm). It is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening hours are extended during the holidays. Entry with skate hire costs €5.60 (€4.80 concessions).

Royatonic

In Royat, on the edge of Clermont, the Royatonic leisure spa is open every day except 25 December and 1 January; the baths close at 4.30 pm on 24 and 31 December. Adult entry costs €22 for 2 h 30, and €18 for accompanied children aged 6 to 15. If you are coming for a spa cure, our article on spa cures in Royat-Chamalières will be useful.

The Puy de Dôme in winter

This winter, the Panoramique des Dômes train runs Wednesday to Sunday, one train an hour from 10 am to 5 pm. It is closed from 16 to 20 November 2026 for maintenance, then runs daily every 30 minutes from 19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 (closed on 25 December). An adult return ticket costs €17.20 to €18.60 depending on the period. Times for January to March 2027 have not yet been published.

At the summit, the Hivernales winter event is announced from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, then from 13 February to 1 March 2027, from 10.30 am to 5 pm: a 200 m² real-ice rink, an exhibition and a treasure trail, for €7 per adult and €5 per child, skates provided and gloves compulsory. The organisers say these times are not yet guaranteed: check the Panoramique des Dômes website. To get there without a car, read our article on the Puy de Dôme and Vulcania without a car.

Dates for the season

• The Christmas market on place de Jaude is announced from 27 November to 27 December 2026; the city has not yet confirmed these dates.
• The International Short Film Festival holds its 49th edition from 29 January to 6 February 2027. Find out more in our article on the short film festival.
• Opera and concerts: the Clermont Auvergne Opéra season is performed at the Opéra-Théâtre.

With children, see also our ideas in Clermont-Ferrand with children. To do everything on foot or by tram, choose an apartment in the city centre: our properties can be booked from one night, with cleaning and linen included. Any questions? Call us on 06 52 16 01 57.