Our take
Visiting a real quarry underground, not a natural cave. The story of Volvic stone is that of a good part of French heritage.
An underground quarry turned into a visitor route: six centuries of extracting the stone that built Clermont cathedral.
There are no stalactites here: you enter a former underground quarry, dug into the lava flow of the Nugère volcano. For six centuries, quarrymen extracted Volvic stone from it, the dark stone from which Clermont cathedral is built. The gallery is 60 metres long and 8 metres high.
The Visite Historique lasts 1 hour 15. The first quarter of an hour is spent outside, then the quarrymen's story is told to you under the vault by Jules Cotte, foreman of the major quarry operator Jean Legay-Chevalier, with films, animated objects and lighting effects. The Grotte des Lumières is a video-mapping show of about 45 minutes, suitable for young children. Only one type of visit is scheduled each day: check the calendar before you come.
Underground, it is around 10°C: bring a jacket. In 2026, the Visite Historique costs €10 (€8 for ages 4-12), the Grotte des Lumières €12 (€8 for ages 4-12) and the combined ticket €18 per adult, with the two visits then taking place on two different days.
Why we love it
- The extraction gallery, 60 metres long and 8 metres high, beneath the Nugère lava flow
- A constant 10°C, summer and winter
- The grey stone you then find everywhere in Clermont
Top tip
Arrive a little early: departures run every 10 to 25 minutes, the last one an hour before closing. Volvic O'rigines and the UNESCO Maison de Site are very close to the cave.
Before you go
- Free car park at the Terra Volcana tourist office, 300 metres from the cave, motorhomes included. Spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility near reception.
- Book online (strongly recommended) up to 30 minutes before departure. In 2026, the cave is open to the public from 10 February to 1 November for the Visite Historique and the Grotte des Lumières (only one type of visit per day), then from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 for the Grotte du Père Noël (Father Christmas's cave), on certain days only. Days and times change through the season, sometimes with a break between 13:00 and 14:00: check the online calendar before you come. Last departure one hour before closing.
- Pushchairs and animals are not admitted (assistance dogs accepted): bring a baby carrier. The route is about 300 metres, with one floor to climb and another to go down, seats at almost every stage and two lifts that make the whole visit wheelchair accessible.
- Bring a light jacket, it is cool all year round underground
- The Visite Historique lasts 1 hour 15, including a quarter of an hour outside: bring something to cover up with too if it rains
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
15°/6°
2 mm · 41 km/h
Tomorrow
13°/4°
dry · 10 km/h
Tue 27
21°/10°
1 mm · 17 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
- 2 Rue du Pont Jany, 63530 Volvic, France
63530 Volvic - Monday10h–18h
- Tuesday10h–18h
- Wednesday10h–18h
- Thursday10h–18h
- Friday10h–18h
- Saturday10h–18h
- Today10h–18h
Opening hours
What visitors say
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Your logbook
Around Grotte de la Pierre de Volvic
2 spots in and around Volvic, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Bistrot La Potée
4.4Châtel-Guyon · 5.9 km away
€€Augustine Bistronomie 1890
4.8Riom · 7.1 km away
€€L'Envolée
4.6Riom · 7.7 km away
Where to stay nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Mountain bikingThe Veygoux loop (mountain bike)
Start: Manoir de Veygoux, Charbonnières-les-Varennes
- 10.1 km
- +174 m
- 2 h
On footPuy de Jumes, Puy de la Coquille and Puy des Gouttes
Start: Parking de la D576 en direction de Beauregard
- 14.6 km
- +487 m
- 4 h
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Hikes around Grotte de la Pierre de Volvic
Mountain bikingThe Veygoux loop (mountain bike)
Start: Manoir de Veygoux, Charbonnières-les-Varennes
- 10.1 km
- +174 m
- 2 h
On footPuy de Jumes, Puy de la Coquille and Puy des Gouttes
Start: Parking de la D576 en direction de Beauregard
- 14.6 km
- +487 m
- 4 h
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