Clermont-Ferrand Audioguided walking tour 2h10 and 21 audios

In this small square formerly called the Place de la Poterne, the Amboise Fountain reveals a statue carved of Volvic stone, a volcanic rock widely used in the department of Puy-de-Dôme that comes from the lava flows of the Nugère, volcano that is part of the Puys chain.

With a beautiful Romanesque Auvergne style, the Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica is so called because of its location, in the heart of the Port district. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is part of the Ways to Compostela, it was built in the 12th century, but did not become a basilica until the end of the 19th century, by order of Pope Leo XIII.

Here you are in one of the oldest squares in the city, Place Delille. The centre of Clermont life for almost a millennium, this square was called Place Champet at the time and contained the Royal Gate, so called because it was through this place that the kings came.

It is to Antoine de Montrosier that we owe this magnificent Inn. Finally, he didn’t build it, as you can imagine, but it was for him that this construction project was born.

This imposing building is none other than the Clermont-Ferrand City Inn. Built in the 18th century in Volvic stone, it is on the site of another building that was historic at the time

Listed as a Historic Monument since 1987, the Terrail Fountain dates from the late 17th century. Located on the square of the same name, it adorned one of the entrance gates to the city in the Middle Ages. A first version was built at the beginning of the same century,

For those with an eye, you may have noticed that the city of Clermont-Ferrand is dotted with small mosaics installed all over the walls. Here, turn around, and look at the facade of the building there.

Place de la Victoire is one of the most important squares in Clermont-Ferrand, particularly because it reveals the magnificent architecture of the cathedral.

Just a stone’s throw from the Place de la Victoire and the Cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand, the Place Royale is decorated with a beautiful fountain inspired by the Italian Renaissance: the Saint-Genès Fountain.

This beautiful church, built by the Carmelites from the 14th century, stands out in the medieval district of Clermont-Ferrand with its dark stone from the Volvic quarries.

It bears the name of the one who made it possible: the Henri-Lecoq museum has been located in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand since 1873.

It was thanks to the botanist Henri Lecoq that this garden was built from 1863, around a botanical garden that was already on this site. Originally developed as the Jardin des Plantes de Clermont, it became the formal garden it is today in 1915.

With its superb neo-classical façade, the Bargoin Museum catches the eye: Collections related to both archaeology, from excavations carried out in Clermont-Ferrand and its surroundings, and to the art of textiles are inside.

Here you are in the square of Assas, just a few steps from the Place de Jaude. Get close to the strange white ark in front of you. It is a fountain, in which you will discover a beautiful golden statue representing Neptune, character of Roman mythology, God of waters and springs.

Imagine... 2,000 years ago, the Place de Jaude was already a real place to live! In Roman times, it represented a shopping square, a place of passage almost as important as the forum that was Victory Square.

Let’s go for a little history on the Gallo-Roman era! Visiting the Place de Jaude is a must, since it is on this square that stands the impressive equestrian statue of Vercingetorix, signed Auguste Bartholdi, to whom we owe the mythical Statue of Liberty of New York.

Look on your right: you are facing the opera-theatre! Built in the 1890s on the Place de Jaude, which was very little urbanized at the time, the opera-theatre allowed this emblematic place of Clermont-Ferrand to regain its status as a place of passage and privileged walk for the inhabitants.

The Rue des Gras, in which you are located, is certainly the most representative street of the historic center of Clermont.

A true emblem of the city, it took more than 7 centuries to build this cathedral, which was quickly nicknamed the “Cathedral of the Coalworkers”.

The square you walk through bears his name, and you even have a statue of him on your right: Blaise Pascal is definitely the symbolic character of the city. I have the opportunity to tell you a few details about his life in order to get to know him better.

You are in the heart of one of the two historic districts of Clermont-Ferrand, which stretches around the hill on which the cathedral is installed.