Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port

Clermont-Ferrand is distinguished by its dark volcanic stone architecture and its close proximity to the Chaîne des Puys. The religious heritage includes the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port, an outstanding example of 12th-century Auvergnat Romanesque art, and the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Cathedral, a Gothic building constructed from volcanic stone. The Place de Jaude serves as the hub of city life, lined with historic buildings and shops. The city hosts several museum institutions that explore local and industrial history. The Roger-Quilliot Museum of Art is housed in a former Ursuline convent and displays works from the 14th to the 20th century, while L'Aventure Michelin traces the evolution of the tire industry since 1889. Lecoq Garden covers 12 acres of green space in the city center. A few kilometers away, the Regional Natural Park of the Volcans d'Auvergne spans nearly 1,500 square miles and offers access to the Puy de Dôme, a volcano rising to 4,785 feet (1465 meters), and Puy Pariou, which reaches 3,960 feet (1209 meters) in altitude.

The religious buildings of Clermont-Ferrand and the surrounding area document the development of French ecclesiastical architecture from the Middle Ages through the modern period. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in the city center was built from the black volcanic stone of the region, a material that gives it a distinctive appearance. The Romanesque Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port holds UNESCO World Heritage status and preserves 12th-century capitals. In nearby towns stand additional churches and abbeys, including the Abbatiale Saint-Austremoine in Issoire with its Romanesque frescoes and the Église Notre-Dame-du-Marthuret in Riom with a 14th-century polychrome statue of the Virgin. The collection also includes Gothic and Baroque structures such as the Église Saint-Pierre-des-Minimes and the Chapelle des Cordeliers in Clermont-Ferrand. The Collégiale Saint-Victor et Sainte-Couronne in Ennezat combines Romanesque and Gothic elements. These buildings contain stained glass windows, sculptures, and liturgical furnishings from various periods. The churches are located in the historic centers of their respective towns and are accessible to visitors during opening hours.

Clermont-Ferrand sits at the edge of a volcanic landscape in the Massif Central, offering a mix of geological formations, medieval architecture and urban spaces for photographers. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built from black volcanic stone, rises above the historic center, while Puy de Dôme, a 4,800-foot (1,465-meter) dormant volcano, shapes the surrounding terrain. The city combines industrial history with architectural heritage, from the Romanesque design of the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port to modern facilities like the Michelin Museum. The city center preserves its medieval street pattern in neighborhoods like Rue des Gras and Rue du Port, where dark stone buildings line narrow lanes. Place de Jaude forms the main square, featuring the equestrian statue of Vercingetorix and the Renaissance-era Fountain of Amboise. Parks such as Jardin Lecoq and Parc Montjuzet provide green spaces within the city, while cultural institutions like the Musée d'art Roger-Quilliot and Centre de Photographie Fontfreyde display contemporary and historical collections. The surrounding area includes several volcanic cones, among them Puy de la Vache, as well as the Chemin du Volcan hiking trail and the remains of the Gallo-Roman Temple of Mercury atop Puy de Dôme.