Exclusive:
A hidden ‘volcanic city’ featuring unique architecture and black stone, is now less than two hours from the UK thanks to a new Ryanair flight route launching in March
A hidden ‘volcanic city’ is now less than two hours from the UK.
Last week Ryanair announced that it will operate direct flights from London to Clermont-Ferrand in France, starting this March.
Located in the Auvergne region of Central France, Clermont-Ferrand is a remarkably green city with unique architectural treasures, such as its black volcanic stone cathedral and the Notre-Dame-du-Port — an ancient basilica possessing a statue that, legend has it, can control the weather.
Clermont was originally home to or ruled by Druids, Romans and Vikings. However, its major claim to fame is being the launching point for the Crusades, which Pope Urban II announced in 1905. The city also sits near the base of the iconic Puy de Dôme, which is a UNESCO World Heritage volcano that is surmounted by a millennia-old Gallo-Roman temple.
“Clermont-Ferrand is a refreshingly atmospheric old-world city, full of Renaissance and medieval buildings, cobbled streets to get lost in, and museums to explore. Pretty much everywhere you look, you can see the Puy de Dôme volcano in the distance, rising into the clouds like an Olympus,” said Dr Andrew Manns, director at Visit Auvergne.
“The entire city also bears the mark of its deep volcanic past. Everything from its neoclassical fountains to its 19th-century townhouses is composed of pierre de Volvic, a black, often bluish stone sourced from the heart of the mountains. Arguably Clermont’s most impressive landmark is the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption a Gothic cathedral — comprising pierre de Volvic and constructed in part by Viollet-le-Duc, the 19th-century architect who restored Paris’s Notre-Dame cathedral.”
Dr Manns also recommends that ancient history enthusiasts should explore the Bargoin Museum, which is home to the largest and most important collection of Gallo-Roman ex-voto statues, which are wooden offerings to deities, in France.
He continued: “Rugby fans should make sure they catch a game at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, home to ASM, Clermont’s local team and one of the most highly ranked rugby clubs in France.
“Another of the city’s treasures is the Notre-Dame-du Port — a UNESCO World Heritage basilica whose origins, according to tradition, go back to the 6th century. Its crypt, which looks and feels like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, has a statue of a Black Virgin Mary and child on display. For hundreds of years, this statue was believed to have miraculous powers.
“The Puy de Dôme is surmounted by the ruins of a millennia-old pagan temple dedicated to the god Mercury. You can explore this ancient sanctuary with Clermont’s office of tourism (Clermont Auvergne Volcans), which offers guided tours.
“The best place to dine on the summit is the Resto d’Épicure, a gastronomic restaurant offering local dishes as well as exceptional views of the surrounding lava domes. To get to the summit, visitors can either go by foot (it’s about a 45-minute hike to the top) or take the Panoramiques des Dômes, a shuttle (generally running from late March to November) departing from the Maison de Site du puy de Dôme, a boutique and information office located at the base of the mountain.”
Visit Auvergne offers Clermont’s only folklore-centric walking tours, which unpack the hidden and mysterious stories of Clermont’s heritage while offering introductions to local Auvergnat cuisine. Some destinations can be explored further afield, including the Château Royal de Saint-Saturnin, the village of Saint-Saturnin, and Lake Pavin, which is dubbed to be France’s ‘most haunted lake’.
Ryanair will start flying from London Stansted to Clermont-Ferrand, France from March 30, from as low as £68.01 return.
