Our take
One of Caesar's rare defeats at the hands of the Gauls, and it happened here. The plateau still has its fortifications. 15 minutes from Clermont, with an open view of the puys.
The plateau where Vercingetorix beat Caesar in 52 BC. Oppidum remains, a museum of the battle and 360° views of the Chaîne des Puys.
The basalt plateau, at an altitude of 750 m, where Vercingetorix defeated Julius Caesar in 52 BC in the Battle of Gergovie. A national archaeological site, with the remains of the Arverni oppidum over 70 hectares. A 360° view over Clermont-Ferrand, the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy. The Musée Archéologique de la Bataille de Gergovie, opened in 2019, tells the story with a model of the battlefield and 3D reconstructions. Open-access discovery trail on the plateau. There is a charge for the museum (€9 full price, €5 for ages 7 to 25, free under 7), the plateau is free.
Why we love it
- The 360° view over Clermont, the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy
- The remains of the Arverni oppidum under your feet
- The model of the battlefield at the museum
Top tip
Combine the museum and the plateau for the day. Sunset over the puys from the eastern edge: perfect timing in summer. Wind is frequent on the plateau, wrap up warm.
Before you go
- The plateau is open access at all hours; only the museum has its own opening hours: check before you go up
- The wind blows hard up there, bring an extra layer
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
15°/4°
0 mm · 33 km/h
Tomorrow
13°/3°
dry · 10 km/h
Tue 27
21°/9°
0 mm · 16 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- Plateau de, 63670 La Roche-Blanche, France
63670 La Roche-Blanche - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 344 reviews on Google Maps.
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Your logbook
Around Gergovie plateau
Enough to build your day around this address.
Where to eat close by
La Brasserie du Mess
4.4Clermont-Ferrand · 4.9 km away
Le Fotomat
4.6Clermont-Ferrand · 6.0 km away
€€Bougnat Burger
4.6Clermont-Ferrand · 6.7 km away
Where to stay nearby
Best Western Plus Hotel Gergovie
4.5Pérignat-lès-Sarliève · 2.7 km away
Clos Beaumont
4.9Beaumont · 4.6 km away
Hôtel Océania Clermont-Ferrand
4.4Clermont-Ferrand · 6.6 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On footPérignat-ès-Allier, Landscapes marked by an ancient and medieval past
Start: Pérignat-ès-Allier
- 7.9 km
- +66 m
- 2 h 30 min
On footWorth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Hikes around Gergovie plateau
On footPérignat-ès-Allier, Landscapes marked by an ancient and medieval past
Start: Pérignat-ès-Allier
- 7.9 km
- +66 m
- 2 h 30 min
On foot
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