Clermont-Ferrand

France

France Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
A busy arts and ceramics market in the Place Saint-Jean in Lyon

A busy arts and ceramics market in the Place Saint-Jean in Lyon

Why visit Clermont-Ferrand

In Clermont-Ferrand, the skyline is as moodily Gothic as the ambience is sunny and good-humoured. Dark volcanic stone gave the city its distinctive hue, layered into its 18th-century townhouses, dozens of fountains and the magnificent twin-turreted cathedral at its cobblestoned heart. As the Auvergne's largest city, Clermont-Ferrand is a hub not only for business but cuisine, with plenty of restaurants serving modernised cuisine auvergnate, and culture (in the form of fizzing art, film and live-music scenes). Beyond the winding lanes of its old town, the Auvergne’s capital is an industrial powerhouse, home to the Michelin automotive empire.

Meet your new travel partner

Stay connected in Clermont-Ferrand

Holafly eSIM provides unlimited mobile data with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind wherever you travel. Stay connected even after your plan ends with Always On. Use code LONELYPLANET for an exclusive discount.

Get 5% off

Go to France with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Summer Soirée: 10 Days of French Wine, Sun, and Culture

10 days / 9 nights

highlights

  1. 1Uncovering the mysteries and secrets of the Louvre with an immersive museum tour-turned-game
  2. 2Hopping between scenic Provencal vineyards to sip and sample the region's best wines
  3. 3Experiencing the life and legacy of Van Gogh on an art tour through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Arles
from $3,800

per person

book this tripsee trip details

Explore more trips

  • Cultural Pillars of Paris and the French Countryside
    France

    13 days / 12 nights

    Cultural Pillars of Paris and the French Countryside

    FROM $4,130

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Basque Country at Its Best: Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Spain’s Rioja Wine Region
    France

    8 days / 7 nights

    Basque Country at Its Best: Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Spain’s Rioja Wine Region

    FROM $2,900

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • The French Riviera and Provence: A Journey Through Authentic France
    France

    11 days / 10 nights

    The French Riviera and Provence: A Journey Through Authentic France

    FROM $4,430

    per person

    See Trip Details

Top places to visit in Clermont-Ferrand

Discover the best attractions in Clermont-Ferrand from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Clermont-Ferrand