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A weekend in Clermont-Ferrand: what to do in two days

Published 31 October 2026

In two days, you can see the essentials of Clermont-Ferrand: one day on foot in the historic centre, another devoted to the volcanoes or the history of Michelin. The city is compact, the tram and buses serve the main sights, and the puy de Dôme is less than half an hour away. Here is a simple itinerary, to adapt to the weather and your mood.

Saturday morning: the old town and its black stone

Start with the hill of the historic centre. The cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption dominates the city with its dark spires: it is built of Volvic lava stone, which gives it its unique colour. Its façade looks onto place de la Victoire, from which the small pedestrian streets of old Clermont lead off.

Then walk down rue des Gras and head to the marché Saint-Pierre, the covered market in the centre, for a coffee or some local produce. Save time for the basilique Notre-Dame-du-Port, one of the great Romanesque buildings of Auvergne. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. More discreet than the cathedral, it is five minutes away on foot.

Saturday afternoon: Jaude, the jardin Lecoq and the museums

Place de Jaude is the city's shopping heart, with the equestrian statue of Vercingétorix by Bartholdi. From there, it takes just a few minutes to reach the jardin Lecoq, a large English-style park with a pond, bandstand and play area.

Right next door, the muséum Henri-Lecoq presents the natural sciences of the region: minerals, fossils, herbaria, birds and mammals, and even a Pascaline, the calculating machine of Blaise Pascal, who was born in Clermont. Admission costs €5 and is free for under-18s; the museum is closed on Mondays (details on the tourist office page).

If you prefer fine art, the musée d'art Roger-Quilliot is in the old town of Montferrand, served by tram line A. Its narrow streets and old houses are worth the walk in themselves.

Sunday: the puy de Dôme or L'Aventure Michelin

On Sunday, get out of the city. In fine weather, climb to the summit of the puy de Dôme (1,465 m), on foot via the chemin des Muletiers or with the Panoramique des Dômes rack railway. The view over the Chaîne des Puys, a World Heritage Site, explains the region's landscape better than anything. Our article Puy de Dôme without a car details the bus journey, and our guide to the Chaîne des Puys and the Limagne Fault helps you read the landscape.

If it rains, or as well, head to L'Aventure Michelin, near the stade Marcel-Michelin (tram A, Stade Marcel Michelin stop). The museum traces the history of the company founded in Clermont, from Bibendum to the tyres of tomorrow, with driving simulators. In 2026, an adult ticket costs €13 and a ticket for 7 to 17-year-olds €9, free for under-7s. Booking is recommended during school holidays.

What to taste

Auvergne has five PDO (AOP) cheeses: saint-nectaire, cantal, salers, bleu d'Auvergne and fourme d'Ambert. You will find them at the marché Saint-Pierre and at the cheesemongers in the centre. In restaurants, look for truffade, made with potatoes and fresh tomme cheese, or a potée auvergnate (hearty pork and cabbage stew) in winter.

Depending on the season

• Late January and early February: the short film festival attracts film lovers from all over the world. See our article on the festival. The 2027 dates should be checked on the festival website.
• In spring and summer: the Chaîne des Puys and lakes such as Aydat are ideal for half-day outings.
• In autumn and winter: favour the museums and the old town, and check the weather before going up the puy de Dôme.

Where to stay to do everything on foot

For a weekend, the simplest option is to stay in the historic centre and park the car for two days. On rue des Gras, at the foot of the cathedral, our Le Cocon and Le Cathédrale flats sleep up to 4 people. In a pedestrian street close by, rue de la Boucherie offers two small flats for two. The Jaude and Saint-Pierre public car parks are nearby. For more ideas on what to see, read Discovering Clermont-Ferrand too. Our properties can be booked from one night, with cleaning and linen included.