The pitch
Clermont-Ferrand in the rain is easy. The city is compact, and the tram serves several of the addresses below. Here are 9 ideas for an indoor weekend with no frustration.
1. L'Aventure Michelin (museum)
The museum of the Michelin brand, at 32 rue du Clos-Four (tram A, Stade Marcel Michelin stop). From the first detachable tyre of 1891 to Bibendum, to the maps and the guides, in immersive settings, with driving simulators at the end of the route: allow 1 hour 30 to 2 hours for the visit. Given its weight in local history, worth seeing at least once. On site, a relaxation area with hot-drink machines, and a shop. The whole museum is wheelchair accessible.
2. Muséum Henri-Lecoq (natural history)
Clermont's natural history museum, on rue Bardoux, next to the Jardin Lecoq. Animals, plants, rocks, fossils: all the natural heritage of the area, with a palaeontology section.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 13:00 to 18:00, closed Monday. Good to know: you move from one level to another by stairs only, and the building is not wheelchair accessible.
The Musée Bargoin, meanwhile, has been closed for renovation since 31 July 2026.
3. Musée d'Art Roger-Quilliot (MARQ)
Clermont's art museum, housed in a former 17th-century Ursuline convent, in Montferrand (tram A, Musée d'art Roger-Quilliot stop). Paintings, sculpture, decorative arts and textiles, from the Middle Ages to the present day, over six levels. The central glass roof was designed by the engineer Peter Rice. Until 10 January 2027, the Textile Biennale takes over the whole permanent route, and the exhibition “Japan, masterpieces from the Musée Guimet” runs until 31 October 2026. Open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00.
4. Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
The Gothic cathedral in black lava stone. The nave is free to visit, and the medieval stained glass is exceptional. In 2026, a multi-year restoration project is under way: scaffolding and hoardings, mainly around the west façade.
5. Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port (UNESCO)
A Romanesque basilica of the 12th century, UNESCO-listed as part of the Compostela routes. An impressive crypt, free to visit. 30 minutes is enough. The Port district is very quiet, ideal for a walk in the dry between showers.
6. La Coopérative de Mai (concert)
La Coopérative de Mai, place du 1er-Mai (tram, 1er Mai stop). Quality pop-rock-electro programming, with a large hall (760 seated, 1,500 standing) and a small one for 460 standing. It's the place to catch a serious gig in Clermont.
7. Escape Hunt
Escape game at 108 avenue du Brézet: four worlds, one hour to get out, 5 players maximum per room (6 in L'Asile). To start with, the team recommends Panique à Gergovie; more experienced players go for Le Cercle noir des catacombes. Ideal for a birthday or a rainy afternoon.
8. Le Rio cinema
The last independent, community-run cinema in the Clermont metropolitan area, classified Art et Essai (arthouse), at 178 rue Sous-les-Vignes (tram, Les Vignes stop). A neighbourhood cinema born in the early 1960s. Foreign films in the original language, programming for young audiences during the school holidays, film debates. A good fallback at the end of the afternoon.
9. Fine dining in the dry
Nothing beats a long gourmet lunch while it's pouring outside:
- Le Pré, the restaurant of Xavier Beaudiment (two stars in the Michelin Guide 2026), in the hills above Clermont-Ferrand.
- Apicius (one star in the Michelin Guide 2026), upstairs at the Saint-Pierre market.
- Alfred, bistronomy (modern bistro cooking) at 5 rue du Puits-Artésien, a stone's throw from the Lagarlaye tram stop: more accessible.
Bonus: getting around without getting wet
- Free buses and trams at weekends: until August 2027, the whole T2C network (bus, tram and book-ahead transport) is free from Saturday 04:15 to Monday 01:30.
- The tram (line A) serves the Muséum Henri-Lecoq (Universités or Lagarlaye stops), the MARQ (Musée d'art Roger-Quilliot stop), L'Aventure Michelin (Stade Marcel Michelin stop), La Coopérative de Mai (1er Mai stop) and Le Rio (Les Vignes stop).
Frequently asked questions
The FAQ
With children?
L'Aventure Michelin lends an investigator's card to 3-7 year-olds and an exploration notebook to 8-12 year-olds. The Muséum Henri-Lecoq also suits the youngest. Escape Hunt welcomes children from age 10, with an adult in the room.
Is it better to be in Clermont or Vichy in bad weather?
Clermont for museums, restaurants and city life. Vichy for indoor thermal baths, the Opéra, the pastilles.