Raphaël Geminiani (King of the Mountains at the 1951 Tour who later became the legendary sports director for Jacques Anquetil), Jean-Claude Theillière (1966 French champion), Damien Monier (winner of a stage in the 2010 Giro), and time trial specialist Rémi Cavagna (2021 French road race champion) all took their initial steps in the sport in Clermont-Ferrand. Often a start city for the Tour de France, Clermont has filled this role twice for the women’s race: in 2023 for the stage to Mauriac (won by Lotte Kopecky) and in 2025 for the stage to Ambert (won by Maëva Squiban).
- Prefecture of Puy-de-Dôme (63)
- Population: 146,400; 295,500 within the Clermont Auvergne Métropole municipality; 664,500 within Puy-de-Dôme
- clermont-ferrand.fr • puy-de-dome.fr
Clermont-Ferrand and cycling
Clermont-Ferrand already holds a prominent place in the recent history of the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift, having hosted the Grand Départ in 2023. As a reminder, the stage routed around the Puy-de-Dôme prefecture went Lotte Lopecky’s way, as she claimed the Yellow Jersey and held onto it all the way to the summit of the Tourmalet, finishing second in the race behind Demi Vollering. The following day, the race set off from Place de Jaude for a stage won by Liane Lippert in Jaunac. In 2025, it was French rider Maeva Squiban who won an Auvergne stage in Ambert, which had started from Clermont. Whilst Clermont-Ferrand thus became the first city to have hosted the Tour Femmes on three occasions, in recent years it has also once again become a must-visit stop on the men’s Tour, which is determined to reconnect with the Massif Central. In 2023, Jasper Philipsen won a bunch sprint in Moulins, a stage that had set off from Michelin’s stronghold. The Tour de France made its grand return to Clermont-Ferrand in 2020 after an absence of more than thirty years, featuring a rest day and a stage heading towards Lyon, won by Soren Kragh Andersen.
The previous finish there dated back to 1988 and a victory for Thierry Marie. The city of Michelin, long a key partner of the Tour, has most often served as a launchpad, notably for two time trials to the summit of Puy de Dôme in 1959 (Federico Bahamontes) and 1983 (Angel Arroyo). The first stage winner in Clermont was a rider inextricably linked to the city: Raphaël Geminiani. ‘Le Grand Fusil’ (the Big Gun), who was born there in 1925 and passed away there in 2024, won seven stages of the Tour de France and wore the Yellow Jersey for four days in 1958. Witty and friendly both on the race circuit and in everyday life, ‘Gem’ was also an inspired team manager and one of the larger than life characters in the history of cycling.
The torch has now been passed to Rémi Cavagna, the ‘TGV of Clermont’, winner of a stage in the Vuelta a España in 2019. Gilles Maignan, Christian Prudhomme’s driver during the Tour de France, was crowned French time trial champion there in 1999. That year, as in the previous one, it was also in Clermont-Ferrand that Jeannie Longo clinched two of her twenty French road cycling championship titles. Other local riders to have competed in the Tour de France include Noël Lajoie (1950 and 1952), as well as Jean-Claude Baud (1973) and Damien Monier (2010). As for local female cyclists, Lucie Pader, who turned professional in 2013 and 2014, is worth mentioning.
Sights
Chaîne des Puys – Limagne Fault
A defining feature of the region, the Puy de Dôme (1,465 m) – classified as a ‘Grand Site de France’ – towers over the Chaîne des Puys and its chain of 80 volcanoes. Accessible on foot or by rack railway, it offers panoramic views stretching from the Limagne to the Monts du Sancy. Since July 2018, the site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a ‘major tectonic site’, the first natural site to be listed in mainland France.
Place de Jaude
Situated in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, Place de Jaude forms part of a remarkable volcanic landscape: it stands on the site of the Maar de Jaude, a vast explosion crater formed by the interaction of magma and water some 156,000 years ago. This volcanic lake subsequently became a marshy area that was gradually drained and developed by humans. The origin of the name ‘Jaude’ dates back to antiquity: it derives, through a phonetic evolution, from the term ‘Galate’, in reference to the great Gallo-Roman sanctuary of Vasso Galate situated nearby. Originally a vast fairground outside the medieval ramparts, the square has, over the centuries, established itself as the true commercial and events hub of the city. The square is home to two major works of Clermont’s cultural heritage: the equestrian statue of Vercingetorix (1903), a bronze masterpiece by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi (sculptor of the Statue of Liberty), commemorating the Gallic victory at Gergovia; and the statue of General Desaix (1848), a work by Charles-François Lebœuf-Nanteuil, paying tribute to the heroic figure of the Revolution who hailed from the region.
Surrounded by the 19th-century Opera House and Theatre, the Church of Saint-Pierre-les-Carmes and department stores with remarkable architecture, the square today blends heritage, lively terraces and water features, whilst offering an iconic view of Puy de Dôme.
Notre-Dame de l’Assomption Cathedral
Built: 13th to 19th centuries.
Style: Gothic.
History: construction began in 1248 in the centre of Clermont, the historic capital of Auvergne. It replaced a Romanesque cathedral on the same site, which had itself been preceded by two other Christian places of worship. It was originally dedicated to Saints Vital and Agricol. Most of the present structure dates from the second half of the 13th century; it is the first example of the use of Volvic stone in architecture. The western façade and other renovations were carried out by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during the second half of the 19th century. Owing to its size and unique character, it is now one of the city’s landmarks.
Characteristics: the cathedral is built on top of the central hill that forms the historic centre of Clermont-Ferrand. It stands at the junction of various streets and squares dating from the medieval period, which follow the layout of the 3rd-century fortified town. The southern forecourt opens onto Place de la Victoire, at the centre of which stands the statue of Pope Urban II, who launched the First Crusade at the Council of 1095. The apse is characteristic of the Île-de-France Gothic style. The cathedral houses a unique collection of murals and stained-glass windows from various periods, including rare Romanesque stained-glass windows.
Listing: listed as a Historic Monument in 1862.
Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port
Construction: 13th century.
Style: Romanesque.
History: an early church is said to have been founded on the site of a Gallo-Roman spring in the 6th century by Bishop Saint Avit. Burned down and ravaged by the Normans in the 9th century, it is said to have been rebuilt by Bishop Saint Sigon. It is certain that an earlier building existed prior to the Romanesque structure. The present church was built between 1120–1130 and the end of the 12th century. The stone used is blonde arkose, a type of sandstone sourced from the quarries at Montpeyroux. The church was severely damaged by the powerful earthquakes that shook the region in 1478 and, more notably, in 1490. The growth in popularity of the procession in honour of the Virgin Mary during the 17th century brought fame to the church. In 1654, the crypts were refurbished to cope with the growing numbers of worshippers, and windows were cut through to let in more light. In 1740, the collegiate church acquired an organ, installed at the entrance to the nave. In 1781, access to the crypts was further redesigned to improve the flow of worshippers. Threatened with destruction during the Revolution, it was restored to religious use under the Concordat of 1802. It underwent restoration work throughout the 19th century and into the early 21st century.
Features: listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France, the basilica is famous for its pyramidal chevet adorned with rose windows, its carved portal and more than 250 Romanesque capitals with remarkable decorative details. An interpretation centre adjoining the basilica opened in 2021.
Distinguishing feature: the basilica’s Marian devotion stems from the presence of a ‘Black Virgin’ which legend traces back to the 6th century. The current statue dates from 1734.
Listing: listed as a Historic Monument in 1840.
Marcel Michelin Stadium
Opened: 1911.
Capacity: 19,357 seats.
History: in 1911, Michelin funded the construction of a rugby ground on the initiative of its manager, Marcel Michelin. The ground was subsequently named the Marcel-Michelin Stadium and hosted matches played by the AS Michelin rugby union team. It has since been owned by ASM Clermont Auvergne (French champions in 2010 and 2017) and hosts all the club’s home matches in the Top 14. It has also hosted international rugby matches. It was also the home ground of Clermont Football Club during its seasons in Division 3 and then Division 2 (1984–1988). The latest stage in the evolution of the Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin is the construction of the ‘Expérience ASM’, a ‘theme park’ unique in France dedicated exclusively to rugby and the life of the club. As a scenographic museum, it brings a cultural, entertaining and interactive dimension to the sport of rugby, and not just to the history of ASM Clermont Auvergne.
Notable feature: during the summer of 2013, ASM installed a heated pitch, making it the first heated pitch in the Top 14: kilometres of low-voltage electrical cables run across its width to provide ‘auxiliary heating’ 25 centimetres below ground.
Royat Spa
The Royat-Chamalières spa resort offers visitors and spa guests the inimitable charm of the Belle Époque spa towns. Specialising in the treatment of rheumatic conditions and cardiovascular diseases, the resort is ideal for health tourism. Modelled on Emperor Constantine’s basilica, the spa building – listed as a historic monument – is notable for its façade, its painted vaults and its ornate floor. Notable features include the Roman ruins and the Eugénie refreshment bar, topped with an ornate glass dome.
La Comédie, National Theatre
This new landmark has been home to the Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand since May 2020. The building was designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura, a world-renowned Portuguese architect and Pritzker Prize laureate. It is housed in the former coach station, a venue much loved by the people of Clermont-Ferrand and one of the city’s architectural landmarks, listed as a historic monument. This 9,500 m² complex comprises, in particular, two performance theatres, a cultural outreach centre and a brasserie.
Mille Formes, Europe’s first art introduction centre for 0–6-year-olds
The Centre for Introducing Children Aged 0–6 to Art was conceived by the City, in partnership with the Centre Pompidou, as a space for experimentation where very young children can engage with contemporary art in all its forms. It is through physical activity and interaction with a new environment that children are encouraged to discover art alongside their families. It is situated on Rue Fontgiève.