This is a charming, small French town with just enough to keep you busy! In the summer the city is absolutely beautiful, but visiting in the winter is not necessarily a bad idea. From Feb. 5-13 this year Clermont Ferrand is hosting its famous International Short Film Festival.
2Visit Clermont-Ferrand, France.
This is a charming, small French town with just enough to keep you busy! In the summer the city is absolutely beautiful, but visiting in the winter is not necessarily a bad idea. From Feb. 5-13 this year Clermont Ferrand is hosting its famous International Short Film Festival.
3Stroll around town.
One of the best things to do is check out the open-air markets around town, or see if there are free events in the city center, Place Jaude. I snapped this picture while exploring a small flea market near La Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. Right now, it’s Christmas time so they also have Christmas markets near the cathedral. Vin chaud (hot wine), or what I like to call happiness in a cup, is only 1 euro!
4Stroll around town.
One of the best things to do is check out the open-air markets around town, or see if there are free events in the city center, Place Jaude. I snapped this picture while exploring a small flea market near La Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. Right now, it’s Christmas time so they also have Christmas markets near the cathedral. Vin chaud (hot wine), or what I like to call happiness in a cup, is only 1 euro!
5Visit the Gothic cathedral.
La Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is definitely worth a visit in itself, with its stunning views from both the outside and from within. The cathedral is built out of volcanic rock. While some find the many buildings made out of dark grey or black stone depressing, I think they are beautiful. Be sure when standing outside the cathedral to turn around and take in the view of Puy de Dôme, one of best volcanoes to hike in the area.
6Visit the Gothic cathedral.
La Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is definitely worth a visit in itself, with its stunning views from both the outside and from within. The cathedral is built out of volcanic rock. While some find the many buildings made out of dark grey or black stone depressing, I think they are beautiful. Be sure when standing outside the cathedral to turn around and take in the view of Puy de Dôme, one of best volcanoes to hike in the area.
7Eat some delicious food.
This is a picture of a delicious galette I inhaled from Le 1513, a crêperie in Clermont Ferrand. A galette is a buckwheat crêpe, usually savory, filled with delicious cheese, tomatoes, bacon, ham, or other ingredients. Pictured is the galette complète with ham, cheese, and an egg.
8Eat some delicious food.
This is a picture of a delicious galette I inhaled from Le 1513, a crêperie in Clermont Ferrand. A galette is a buckwheat crêpe, usually savory, filled with delicious cheese, tomatoes, bacon, ham, or other ingredients. Pictured is the galette complète with ham, cheese, and an egg.
9Also eat some cheese.
This region in France is known for its cheese, so plan your meals around your cheese. Some regional cheeses: bleu d’Auvergne (a blue cheese), Saint-Nectaire and Cantal. Most dishes here seem to be a variation of potatoes, lardons and cheese. One of the most popular restaurants here, Bougnat Burger, has burgers with at least two kinds of cheeses on top. Their burgers also come with a cheese sauce of your choice.
10Also eat some cheese.
This region in France is known for its cheese, so plan your meals around your cheese. Some regional cheeses: bleu d’Auvergne (a blue cheese), Saint-Nectaire and Cantal. Most dishes here seem to be a variation of potatoes, lardons and cheese. One of the most popular restaurants here, Bougnat Burger, has burgers with at least two kinds of cheeses on top. Their burgers also come with a cheese sauce of your choice.
11Check out nearby parks and gardens.
Le parc de Montjuzet is a gorgeous park with a great view of the city of Clermont-Ferrand. It’s a bit of a hike to get there (prepare to walk up a hill), but it is worth it!
12Check out nearby parks and gardens.
Le parc de Montjuzet is a gorgeous park with a great view of the city of Clermont-Ferrand. It’s a bit of a hike to get there (prepare to walk up a hill), but it is worth it!
13But wait—there's more!
Also be sure to check out le parc de Montjuzet‘s cool sculptures.
14But wait—there's more!
Also be sure to check out le parc de Montjuzet‘s cool sculptures.
15Hike the Puy De Dôme.
Puy De Dôme is the most famous volcano to hike in the region, and from the following pictures you will see why! It is a pretty short hike, only about 45 minutes to reach the summit. But be prepared with water and comfortable shoes. If I can do it (and I am not the least bit athletic), then you can too!
16Hike the Puy De Dôme.
Puy De Dôme is the most famous volcano to hike in the region, and from the following pictures you will see why! It is a pretty short hike, only about 45 minutes to reach the summit. But be prepared with water and comfortable shoes. If I can do it (and I am not the least bit athletic), then you can too!
17Take in the volcanic views.
Once you reach the summit you can walk all the way around it and take in the views of Clermont-Ferrand and other volcanoes.
18Take in the volcanic views.
Once you reach the summit you can walk all the way around it and take in the views of Clermont-Ferrand and other volcanoes.
19Hike Puy Pariou.
This is a less touristy destination than Puy de Dôme, but in my opinion it is more of a unique view. This extinct volcano has a huge crater covered by vegetation.
20Hike Puy Pariou.
This is a less touristy destination than Puy de Dôme, but in my opinion it is more of a unique view. This extinct volcano has a huge crater covered by vegetation.
21Investigate Puy Pariou.
Walking inside the crater makes you feel like you are trapped in a fishbowl.
22Investigate Puy Pariou.
Walking inside the crater makes you feel like you are trapped in a fishbowl.
23Keep on walking.
Puy Pariou, in my opinion, was an easier hike than Puy de Dôme.
24Keep on walking.
Puy Pariou, in my opinion, was an easier hike than Puy de Dôme.
25Say hello to neighboring volcanoes.
Puy Pariou affords a far-away view of Puy de Dôme.
26Say hello to neighboring volcanoes.
Puy Pariou affords a far-away view of Puy de Dôme.
27Visit Riom while you're at it.
Riom is just an eight- to ten-minute train ride from Clermont-Ferrand, and it is worth the short trip. The town has beautiful architecture and small French streets that are exactly like what you’ve seen in movies.
28Visit Riom while you're at it.
Riom is just an eight- to ten-minute train ride from Clermont-Ferrand, and it is worth the short trip. The town has beautiful architecture and small French streets that are exactly like what you’ve seen in movies.
My lunch today incorporates four different types of cheese. That should be the only reason you need to travel to the Auvergne region in France. But if you really need a few more, I can help you out.
I may be biased, but in my opinion the Auvergne region should be on every traveler’s list. But don’t just take my word for it. Lonely Planet voted it the sixth best region in the world to visit in 2016. Auvergne even beat Hawaii out of sixth place.
If your only experience in France was the Eiffel Tower, or spending time in the Latin Quarter in Paris, you should consider taking a three-and-a-half hour train from bustling Paris to the more charming town of Clermont-Ferrand. The city is accessible via train or bus from Paris, Lyon, and other major French cities.
In the few months I’ve been living in France (see this blog post for more info), Clermont-Ferrand, a city of a little more than 141,000 people, has been my home base. Despite its small size, there are always things to do or see. In the slideshow above, a brief tour of the sights you should check out in Clermont-Ferrand and the surrounding area.
