1,465 m, a Gallo-Roman temple at the top and 80 volcanoes lined up before your eyes. You walk up, you ride the train back down.
You can see the Puy de Dôme from everywhere: that round dome towering over Clermont. It's a lava dome formed about 11,000 years ago, one of the youngest in the Chaîne des Puys, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. At the top, at 1,465 m, the view opens up 360° over some 80 volcanoes lined up in a dead-straight row.
Two ways up. On foot, by the sentier des Muletiers from the col de Ceyssat: 350 m of climbing in hairpin bends, 45 minutes to 1 hour of walking, free. Or by rack railway, the Panoramique des Dômes, which hauls you up in 15 minutes: allow €17.20 for an adult return and €10.10 at the youth rate (free under 4) in low season, €18.60 and €11.70 from 1 April to 30 September (2026 prices). The train runs almost all year: in 2026, it doesn't run on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2 November to 15 December, from 16 to 20 November (maintenance), or on 25 December.
Good to know: the sentier des Muletiers and the col de Ceyssat car park are closed for works from 5 to 16 October 2026. During that time, walk up by the chemin des Chèvres, from the departure station (1.5 to 2 hours).
Up there, you walk among the stones of the Temple of Mercury, a Gallo-Roman sanctuary built in the 2nd century and brought back to light in 1872, when the observatory was being built.
Our take: start from the departure station, walk up by the Muletiers (1.5 to 2 hours) if your legs are up to it, and ride the train back down. Your knees will thank you. Take a windproof jacket even in summer, it's cooler at the top.
What you will find
- The 360° view over the 80 volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys, from the summit
- The remains of the Temple of Mercury, a 2nd-century Gallo-Roman sanctuary, at the summit
- The climb up the hairpin bends of the sentier des Muletiers, the old path that, so they say, led pilgrims to the temple
- The rack railway that climbs to the summit in 15 minutes
Local tip
The sentier des Muletiers is free, but it's 350 m of climbing. Panoramique train: €18.60 for an adult return from April to September, €17.20 the rest of the year (2026 prices). At the top, bring the right clothing: it's cooler or windier up there.
Ideal for
- You want THE view over 80 volcanoes lined up in a row
- You're going up as a family: the train does the work
- You like to earn the summit by the Muletiers
Maybe not for
- You're aiming for a July or August weekend at midday: it's packed
- You expect an effortless walk up: the slope is steep
Good to know
- Start from the departure station, walk up by the sentier des Muletiers (1.5 to 2 hours) and ride the train back down: your legs will appreciate it
- Slip a windproof jacket into your bag even in fine weather: at the top, it's cooler or windier
- Train ticket valid for one year, with no set time slot: you go up whenever you like
Practical information
- What to bring
- A windproof jacket in your bag even in fine weather, it's always blowing up there.
