Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France, is built almost entirely from black volcanic stone (from the Volvic lava flows nearby), giving it a dramatic and unusual appearance unlike any other city in France. It sits at the foot of the Massif Central in one of France's most geologically extraordinary landscapes, dominated by the extinct volcanic domes of the Chaîne des Puys. The Chaîne des Puys, a Unesco World Heritage landscape, rises immediately behind the city — 80 aligned volcanic peaks including the Puy de Dôme (1,465 metres), accessible by rack railway from the city, which offers extraordinary views and is one of France's most visited natural sites. The volcanic landscape also produces exceptional water (Volvic mineral water comes from these volcanic aquifers) and the distinctive dark cheese Bleu d'Auvergne. The city is the headquarters of Michelin tyres. The Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, built almost entirely of black Volvic stone, is one of France's most distinctive cathedrals — its dark silhouette against the sky is striking. The old quarter of Montferrand, absorbed into Clermont in 1731, retains Renaissance mansions of the period when it was a prosperous commercial city. The Auvergne cuisine — potée auvergnate, truffade (potato and Cantal cheese), pounti, volcanic mineral water and exceptional cheeses — is hearty mountain food.