Clermont-Ferrand: Basilica, Museums and Natural History

Clermont-Ferrand offers several distinct cultural highlights for a stay: sacred buildings, art collections, an immersive museum experience and natural history. If you are looking for a hotel, considering your main interest can help you choose a more specific destination. The following places differ in their content and their geographical or cultural context. This allows you to decide in advance which themes you would like your stay to focus on.

Sacred buildings and their locations

The Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port is located in the historic centre of Clermont-Ferrand, in the Port district. Since 1998, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the French Routes of Santiago de Compostela. It therefore connects its specific location in the district with a cultural heritage context that extends beyond it. If you are interested in sacred architecture and its place within the Routes of Santiago de Compostela, the basilica offers a clear focus for your stay.

Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral rises on Clermont’s central hill and overlooks the city. Its location differs from that of the basilica in the historic centre, in the Port district. Together, the buildings mark two distinct geographical points of reference: the central hill with the cathedral and the historic urban area with the basilica. This contrast offers a practical way to understand the layout of the city and helps you place the two sacred buildings in context through their respective locations.

Art, immersive experiences and natural history

L’Aventure Michelin focuses on an immersive visitor experience. Staged exhibits, immersive settings and interactive activities shape the visit. This means that the way the subject is presented is also a factor in choosing where to go: spatial staging and interaction take centre stage here. This differs from the art forms represented at the Musée d’art Roger-Quilliot and the natural history focus of the Muséum Henri-Lecoq. If you are particularly interested in immersive experiences and interactive elements when visiting a museum, this is a clear indication to guide your choice.

L’Aventure Michelin is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Visitor services may change; if accessibility is important to your plans, check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Opened in 1992, the Musée d’art Roger-Quilliot is located in the historic Montferrand district. Across six levels, it displays paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, graphic arts and textiles from the Middle Ages to the present day. Its range of art forms and long time span make the museum a good option if you would like to explore different art forms in one visit. The Musée d’art Roger-Quilliot also offers a year-round cultural programme featuring guided tours, children’s workshops, talks and exhibitions. Individual activities may change; if you have a particular format in mind, check the current programme in advance.

The Muséum Henri-Lecoq is devoted to the natural heritage of the area, featuring animals, plants, rocks and fossils. It offers temporary exhibitions, workshops and tours every year. Its focus differs clearly from that of the Musée d’art Roger-Quilliot: natural history takes centre stage here, while the latter explores a variety of art forms and periods. This difference can help you choose between a museum focused on art and one focused on natural history. Specific activities and dates vary; if a particular offering is important to your plans, refer to the latest visitor information.

Discover more destinations: La Tour-D'auvergne, Gelles, Saint-Victor-La-Rivière, Saint-Genès-Du-Retz, Champs, Enval, Montpeyroux, Murat-Le-Quaire.

For the overview of the wider region: Puy-De-Dôme.