Puy de Dôme
The iconic volcano of Auvergne at 1,465 meters. Take a cog railway for 15 minutes to the summit and look out over dozens of volcanic cones of the Chaîne des Puys.
Puy de Dôme is the highest peak of the Chaîne des Puys–Limagne Fault Tectonic Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 2018. From the summit, you get a 360-degree view of the 80 volcanic cones lined up north to south and the Limagne Plain to the east. The site also preserves the ruins of a 2nd-century Roman temple to Mercury.
To get to the top, take the Panoramique des Dômes cog railway from the foot of the mountain at Orcines. The trip takes about 15 minutes, and a round trip costs about 17 euros. Fit hikers can walk up the Chemin des Muletiers, the Muleteers' Trail, which takes about 1 hour. The summit has a restaurant and exhibition hall. It is windy and cold, so bring a jacket. The hang gliding takeoff point is also a popular viewpoint.
Opening hours
Trains about 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (varies by season; shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Puy de Pariou
- Vulcania
- Volcan de Lemptégy
- Puy de la Vache & Puy de Lassolas
- Place de Jaude
- Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral
- Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port
- Château de Tournoël