Maar de Jaude

Maar de Jaude is an extinct volcano lying beneath central Clermont-Ferrand with a crater spanning roughly 1.5 kilometers across. The site contains three merged craters hidden below the city's present-day streets and buildings.

This volcano formed around 156,000 years ago through phreatomagmatic eruptions, making it the oldest and furthest east among the Chaîne des Puys chain. The eruptive processes that built it also influenced the geological development of the surrounding region.

The crater's name and form shape how locals understand their city's foundation and identity. Buildings and underground spaces throughout the center make use of the natural cavities and passages created by the volcano.

You can trace the volcano's location by following the Rue du Coche trail, which takes you through the area and offers different viewpoints. The path connects various parts of the city center and helps you understand the layout of the volcanic structure below.

Seismic instruments detected tremors in 2010 and 2017 that turned out to be from fans celebrating local rugby team victories above ground. These unexpected signals showed how connected the modern city remains to its volcanic bedrock.

Location: Clermont-Ferrand

GPS coordinates: 45.77656,3.08170

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:40