Home / Blog

Paléopolis, the dinosaur hill 45 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand

Published 21 February 2021

Paléopolis is a park devoted to dinosaurs and the history of life on Earth, set on a hill in Gannat, in the Allier. From Clermont-Ferrand, the park gives a drive time of about 45 minutes via the A71: it makes a family outing of half a day to a full day, and complements Vulcania, on the other side of Clermont, nicely.

Getting there from Clermont-Ferrand

Take the A71 north to the Gannat exit, then follow signs for Bègues. The park is at Chazoux, route de Bègues, 03800 Gannat. Parking is free and can take coaches, which is handy for groups.

What to do at Paléopolis

• The exhibitions: more than 300 fossils and life-size reconstructions, including a T-Rex.
• The workshops: children try their hand at a palaeontologist's work, from uncovering fossils to making casts.
• The shows: a 3D cinema, an optical theatre and virtual reality experiences.
• The outdoor areas: a playground and a picnic area, welcome for a full day.

The site also points out that a fossil rhinoceros around 23 million years old was discovered in the Gannat area in the early 1990s, which explains why the park is located here.

Prices and opening hours

In 2026, dated tickets are available at the following prices:

• adult: €16;
• child aged 5 to 15: €14;
• child aged 3 to 4: €8;
• free for under-3s.

On opening days, the park welcomes visitors continuously from 10 am to 6 pm. In summer, some evenings are extended with night-time events. The park is not open all year round: the season usually ends in early November, after the All Saints' holidays, and the 2027 calendar has not yet been published. Check the Paléopolis prices and opening hours page before booking.

Planning the day from Clermont

With children, two plans work well:

1. Paléopolis in the morning, rail bikes in the afternoon. The Vélorail de la Sioule, at Le Mayet-d'École, is a few minutes from Gannat. Remember to book, and check it is open on your chosen date.
2. Paléopolis and Charroux. For slightly older children, the medieval village of Charroux and its museum bring another era into the same day.

Over several days, Paléopolis can be combined with Vulcania and the Puy de Dôme, west of Clermont: our article on the Puy de Dôme and Vulcania explains how to get there. You will find more ideas in our guide to Clermont-Ferrand with children.

Convenient accommodation for families

To string outings together without changing accommodation, Clermont-Ferrand is a good base: Gannat is to the north, Vulcania to the west and the Sancy to the south. Our Clermont Sud apartments have quick access to the main roads, and large families will also find bigger properties on the outskirts. With Gannat less than an hour away, you can leave after breakfast and be back in the late afternoon, without rushing. Bookable from one night, cleaning and linen included.