Hotels in Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand: Auvergne's Volcanic Capital

Clermont-Ferrand sits at 400 metres elevation in central France, ringed by the Chaîne des Puys — a UNESCO-listed volcanic chain that includes Puy de Dôme, a 1,465-metre summit reachable by rack railway. The city's old quarter, Vieux-Clermont, is built almost entirely from dark Volvic lava stone, giving the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption — begun in 1248 — its distinctive black façade. Clermont-Ferrand is also the birthplace of Michelin: the tyre company was founded here in 1889 and remains headquartered in the city.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster around Place de Jaude, the central square, and along Boulevard François-Mitterrand near the train station. The Montferrand district, 3 km north-east, offers quieter guesthouses in a medieval grid. Business travellers arrive for Michelin and the city's pharmaceutical sector; hikers and cyclists base themselves here to access the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, France's largest regional park at 395,000 hectares.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport serves Paris Orly; TGV trains from Paris Gare de Lyon take roughly 3 hours.
• Best access to Puy de Dôme: The Panoramique des Dômes rack railway departs from Royat-Chamalières, 6 km west of the city centre.
• Climate: Summers are warm and dry; snowfall is possible November through March at altitude.