What are you looking for in Auvergne? What to see and visit around Clermont-Ferrand? The city and its surroundings have much more to offer than just its iconic volcanic stone cathedral. To help you make sure you don't miss a thing, this top 10 list brings together all the best things to do with your family in the Auvergne Rhônes Alpes region: main attractions to visit, museums, swimming areas, tourist attractions and outdoor leisure activities... Be sure not to miss a thing on your next family trip to Clermont-Ferrand!
Visit the Vulcania park
Vulcania is the region's must-see attraction! This park, dedicated to volcanoes and natural phenomena, offers a fun and enriching experience for the whole family. Adults and children alike can discover the mysteries of volcanoes through interactive exhibits, animations, shows and projections that bring volcanic eruptions to life. The park also offers scientific workshops for the more inquisitive, as well as play areas for the little ones.
Credit: Bouton Production
Explore the Auvergne volcanoes
The Puy de Dôme, the emblematic volcano of the Chaîne des Puys and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see during your stay in Clermont-Ferrand. Climb aboard the Panoramique des Dômes and, once at the summit, wind your way through unique flora and geology, immersing yourself in an unspoilt environment. For another fascinating experience, head for the Volcan de Lemptégy, which has been awarded the Grand Site de France label. Accompanied by a guide, explore the meandering volcano on foot or aboard a specially equipped train. If you're visiting in summer, don't miss the night-time experience, with a light and sound trail through the heart of the volcano.
Credit: Baptiste Jayat
Venture to the Michelin Museum
Does Michelin mean nothing to you but tires and the famous Michelin Man? An interactive museum, l'Aventure Michelin traces the history of the legendary Clermont-Ferrand tire manufacturer and its iconic mascot. From the brand's beginnings to its success during the Industrial Revolution, and its current commitment to sustainable development, discover all the secrets behind this famous brand. Located in the Montferrand district, just a few steps from the Polydome and 15 minutes from downtown Clermont-Ferrand, this museum is perfect for a family visit.
Swimming in Auvergne lakes
There's nothing like a day in the water to escape the summer heat! Just 25 minutes from the GRAND MESS Clermont-Ferrand, Lac d'Aydat offers the perfect vacation atmosphere. It's the largest natural lake in Auvergne, perfect for a range of activities including pedal-boating, paddle-boating and sailing. A little further afield, Lac Chambon is another popular option for families to cool off in summer. Water sports enthusiasts can try their hand at canoeing, stand-up paddling and even dinghy sailing. For those who prefer to avoid the water, the area also offers some great alternatives. Enjoy a fishing session, explore the surroundings by strolling along the pontoons equipped with observation posts, or settle down for a relaxing picnic by the water. The little extra? The hot-air balloons that fly over the lake at sunrise and sunset: an aerial spectacle that will leave a lasting impression on young and old alike!
Credit: Lac d'Aydat - Prod03
Dive into the heart of the Grotte de Volvic
Just 15 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, the Grotte de la Pierre de Volvic invites you to explore the depths of the Earth on several different tours. Immerse yourself in local history with the historical tour, which will introduce you to the quarrymen's past and the cave's secrets. For a more enchanting experience, choose the magical tour, where you'll experience a show in an aquatic and plant-based atmosphere. Tours last from 45 minutes to 1h30 and are enhanced by video mapping projected onto the walls, lighting effects and immersive sound narration. After your underground exploration, take time to relax in the nearby picnic area. And if your visit takes place between November 30, 2024 and January 5, 2025, don't miss Santa's workshop!
Credit: Grotte de la pierre de Volvic
A tree-climbing adventure
The Echassières acrobatic park, located 45 minutes from GRAND MESS Clermont-Ferrand, offers the perfect natural setting for outdoor family fun. Open between April and November, the park offers 8 varied courses to suit all levels, from 4-year-old adventurers to thrill-seeking adults. The most daring can take to the air on impressive zip lines, including a 200-meter-long one, and finish the black course with a leap into the void! In addition to the ropes courses, the park has picnic areas and hiking trails, perfect for extending your day in the great outdoors.
Credit: Accro-Sioule
Fun at Super-Besse
Super Besse, a genuine open-air leisure park, offers a wide range of activities for all ages and all seasons. In summer, explore the water park, go hiking, try tobogganing or mountain biking. And don't miss the Fantasticable zip line, which propels you 1,600 metres above Lac des Hermines. Thrills guaranteed! When winter arrives, Super Besse is transformed into a white paradise with ski slopes for all levels. Whether you're looking for downhill skiing, snow scootering or snowshoeing, you'll find everything you need for a successful family outing!
Credit: OT Sancy
Discover an educational farm
Nestled in the granite foothills of the Sancy Massif, Ferme du Clos is just twenty kilometers from Clermont-Ferrand. Here, our passionate staff will take you through every stage of the Saint-Nectaire farmhouse PDO cheese-making process, from rearing to maturing. Put on your boots, meet the animals and explore this farm set in unspoilt natural surroundings. Not far from Issoire, Ferme de la Moulerette also welcomes you for a playful visit. Covering more than 2 hectares, you'll meet over 100 animals: sheep, goats, ponies, horses, pigs, rabbits and poultry. Children, equipped with bread buckets, can feed and interact with the animals. Watch out for the greedy ones who wander off on their own - they might steal all the bread! The farm also offers access to a bouncy castle and, at an additional cost, homemade ice creams, pony rides and other activities. The little ones can enjoy the play area during breaks, ensuring a day full of discovery and fun for the whole family.
Credit: La Ferme du Clos, Facebook
.webp)
Experience an indoor skydiving experience
Want to defy gravity without leaving the ground? Head for FlyinClermont, just 8 minutes from GRAND MESS Clermont-Ferrand, for a family indoor flight experience. Open to everyone aged 5 and over, this flight simulator lets you feel all the excitement of a parachute jump, in complete safety. Whether you're already a thrill-seeker or simply looking for new sensations, FlyinClermont is the ideal place for a unique family activity.
Credit: Flyin Clermont
Visit the Castles of Auvergne
Just 15 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, Château de la Bâtisse invites you to take a trip back in time. Located in the commune of Chanonat, this magnificent château, open from April to September, plunges you into a world where history and nature meet in harmony. Its vast formal gardens and surrounding woods offer the ideal setting for a peaceful stroll. In summer, the château comes alive with a variety of activities and shows for the whole family. Take part in interactive guided tours that bring the castle's history to life, explore the lush gardens and wooded paths, and enjoy open-air shows that will delight young and old alike.
Credit: Château de la Batisse
