Puy-de-Dome places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Puy-de-Dome department of Auvergne. See also our Puy-de-Dome travel guide
Ambert
The quiet town of Ambert in the Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez has a small medieval centre to explore See guide
Billom
It is the half-timbered houses and medieval gateways that provide the charm in the centre of Billom See guide
Chateldon
The ancient city of Chateldon still retains an important part of its medieval castle and fortifications See guide
Clermont-Ferrand
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, in sombre black lava stone, dominates the historic centre of Clermont-Ferrand See guide
Clermont-Ferrand basilica
The basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port in Clermont-Ferrand is one of the most important romanesque churches in the Auvergne See guide
Courpiere
Once home to Coco Chanel, Courpiere is a village in the Livradois-Forez natural park See guide
Issoire
Best known for its romanesque church, Issoire is a very pleasant and unspoiled town to explore See guide
La Bourboule
La Bourboule is one of the most impressive of the belle-epoque spa towns in France See guide
Mont-Dore
Mont-Dore is well placed to explore the scenic splendours of the area such as the Vallee de Chaudefour, and is also a small ski resort See guide
Montpeyroux
Montpeyroux is a small village now listed among the 'most beautiful in France' and very pleasant to explore See guide
Mozac
The interesting Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Mozac combines early roman elements and later gothic elements See guide
Murol
The highlight of a visit to Murol is the Chateau de Murol that stands high on a rocky mass above the village See guide
Olliergues
Olliergues is a small village with an unspoiled historic centre in the Livradois-Forez naturel parc See guide
Orcival
Orcival is home to one of the most important roman style churches in Auvergne and has several natural scenic highlights nearby See guide
Parc des Volcans
The Natural Regional Park of the Volcanoes is a beautiful region of forested volcanic domes See guide
Puy de Dome
Puy-de-Dome is the most famous, and most accessible of the Auvergne volcanoes and has lovely views across the rest of the chain of volcanoes See guide
Riom
The quiet regional town of Riom has several monuments of historical importance to see as you explore See guide
Saint-Floret
The tiny village of Saint-Floret with its ruined castle and frescoes is now listed among the 'most beautiful in France' See guide
Saint-Nectaire
It is the impressive roman architecture of the Church of St-Nectaire-le-Haut that attracts visitors to Saint-Nectaire See guide
Saint-Saturnin
With ancient narrow streets, an imposing church and its position on the side of a steep valley Saint-Saturnin is among our favourite Auvergne villages See guide
Sauxillanges
The principal monuments in Sauxillanges, the monastery and the castle, are not open to the public but the village is still pleasant for a look when you are in the region See guide
Thiers
Not always considered a tourist destination, Thouars actually has a facscinating historical centre with several interesting highlights See guide
Usson
One of the least developed of the 'most beautiful villages in France' (a good thing!) the quaint centre of Usson is overlooked by a large statue of the Virgin Mary See guide
Volvic
One of the most famous bottled waters in the world is from Volvic, which is also a pleasant town in the 'Volcano' region of the Auvergne See guideFor more information see the Puy-de-Dome guide
Market towns & days in Puy-de-Dome
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Ambert: Thursday
Arlanc: Monday
Aubiere: Sunday
Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise: Monday
Billom: Monday
Brassac-les-Mines: Sunday
Cebazat: Thursday & Sunday
Chamalieres: Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday
Champeix: Friday
Clermont-Ferrand: Wednesday & Tuesday & Saturday
Cournon-d'Auvergne: Thursday & Saturday & Friday
Courpiere: Tuesday
Gerzat: Sunday
Issoire: Saturday
La Bourboule: Saturday
Lempdes: Tuesday
Lezoux: Saturday
Maringues: Monday
Mont-Dore: Friday all day
Murol: Wednesday
Pionsat: Friday
Pont-du-Chateau: Thursday
Puy-Guillaume: Wednesday
Riom: Wednesday & Saturday
Saint-Eloy-les-Mines: Saturday
Saint-Nectaire: Sunday (high season only)
Saint-Remy-sur-Durolle: Sunday
Thiers: Thursday & Saturday
Vic-le-Comte: Thursday
Tourist attractions to visit in Puy-de-Dome
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Towns of Art and History
Issoire: See tourist guide
Marsat
Mozac: See tourist guide
Riom: See tourist guide
Sites of Natural Beauty
Banne d'Ordanche
Col des Pradeaux
Lac du Guery
Lac Pavin
Puy de Sancy
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Clermont-Ferrand: See tourist guide
Riom: See tourist guide
Thiers: See tourist guide
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Jardins de Cordès
Jardins du château d'Hauterive
Jardins du château d'Opme
Jardins du château de la Batisse
Parc du château de Blanzat
Parc du domaine royal de Randan
Religious Monuments
Abbatial church de Saint Pierre de Mozac (Mozac)
Cathédrale Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Clermont-ferrand)
Collégiale Saint-Victor et Sainte-Couronne d'Ennezat (Ennezat)
Eglise de Notre Dame (Orcival)
Eglise de Notre Dame (Saint-Nectaire)
Eglise de Notre Dame de Mailhat (Lamontgie)
Eglise de Saint Austremoine d'Issoire (Issoire)
Eglise de Saint Léger (Royat)
Eglise Notre Dame (Saint-Saturnin)
Regional Natural Parcs
Volcans d'Auvergne: See tourist guide
National Monuments
Aulteribe Chateau
Villeneuve-Lembron Chateau
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Montpeyroux: See tourist guide
Saint-Saturnin: See tourist guide
Usson: See tourist guide
UNESCO world heritage sites
Clermont-Ferrand église Notre-Dame-du-Port (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Grand Sites of France
Puy de Dome: See tourist guide