Department
Museums, galleries and heritage in Puy-de-Dôme
81 places to discover across Puy-de-Dôme.
Including Château de Murol, L'Aventure Michelin and Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption.
Towns to explore
Ambert · Arlanc · Aubière · Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · Billom · Brassac-les-Mines · Chamalières · Clermont-Ferrand · Gerzat · Issoire · Job · La Bourboule · La Roche-Blanche · Lezoux · Marsac-en-Livradois · Mozac · Orcines · Pont-du-Château · Riom · Romagnat
A department shaped by volcanoes and industry
Puy-de-Dôme, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is defined first by its geology. The Haut lieu tectonique Chaîne des Puys - faille de Limagne, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, illustrates the mechanics of mountain-building through its alignment of volcanic cones and the Limagne fault, near Orcines.
Around this natural landmark, the department developed distinct industrial identities that its museums now preserve: rubber and tyre manufacturing in Clermont-Ferrand, cutlery in Thiers, ceramics in Lezoux, and coal mining in Messeix. Each site addresses a specific craft or resource rather than offering a generic regional overview.
Clermont-Ferrand, Thiers and Riom: three cultural centers
Clermont-Ferrand concentrates the largest share of Puy-de-Dôme's museums and galleries. L'Aventure Michelin retraces the history of the tyre manufacturer born in the city, while the Musée d'Art Roger Quilliot occupies a former Ursuline convent with fine art collections spread over six levels. Nearby, the Frac Auvergne represents the regional collection of contemporary art, complemented by a cluster of galleries including Galerie Claire Gastaud, Galerie Catherine Pennec and La Tôlerie.
Thiers, historically tied to blade-making, hosts the Musée de la Coutellerie, which documents the town's social and economic history around cutlery, alongside two local galleries, Galerie Alpha and La P'tite Galerie de Monik
The École de Murol and local artistic traditions
The village of Murol gave its name to a group of painters active in the area, documented at the Musée des Peintres de l'Ecole de Murol(s), which holds a permanent collection alongside temporary exhibitions. A comparable regional school is presented at the Musée de l'École 1900 in Saint-Martin-des-Olmes, set inside an authentic 1880s schoolhouse.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main UNESCO site in Puy-de-Dôme?
The Haut lieu tectonique Chaîne des Puys - faille de Limagne, near Orcines, recognized for its exceptional illustration of mountain-building geology through volcanic cones and a fault line.
Which museum should I visit first in Clermont-Ferrand?
L'Aventure Michelin is the most visited, tracing the history of tyre manufacturing; the Musée d'Art Roger Quilliot complements it with fine art collections in a former convent.
Is Thiers worth a detour for its museum?
Yes, the Musée de la Coutellerie details the town's centuries-old cutlery industry and is directly tied to workshops still active in Thiers today.
Are contemporary art venues present in the department?
Yes, the Frac Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand holds the regional contemporary art collection, supported by a number of private galleries in the same city.
How much time should I plan for the volcanic Chaîne des Puys area?
A half-day allows time to view the site and visit a related museum such as the Muséum Henri-Lecoq for geological and natural history context.
