Living heritage: discover the Pays d'art et d'histoire® in Puy-de-Dôme
In the heart of its natural setting, the Puy-de-Dôme boasts no fewer than four Villes et Pays d'Art et d'Histoire®. This national label is awarded to areas that are committed to preserving their rich heritage and bringing it to life for the general public. Discover their history.
Riom, Limagne et Volcans Art and History Region: Between landscapes, architecture and living traditions
The Pays d'art et d'histoire de Riom Limagne et Volcans combines spectacular landscapes, a remarkable architectural heritage and vibrant cultural traditions, bearing witness to its unique history.
Varied and inspiring landscapes
At the foot of the Puy-de-Dôme, between the Chaîne des Puys and the Limagne plain, the region offers a diverse range of landscapes. From the torrents of the Enval gorges to the hillsides of the Pays Brayaud and the wine-growing villages, each panorama tells its own story.
Riom, an open-air museum
The former capital of the duchies of Auvergne, Riom will amaze you with its Renaissance facades of Volvic stone. The town's remarkable buildings include the Sainte-Chapelle, the Saint-Amable basilica, the Tour de l'horloge and its town houses.
Nearby, the Romanesque abbey church of Saint-Pierre de Mozac is a Cluniac site renowned for the quality of its sculpted capitals.
A vibrant and accessible culture
The Musée Mandet and the Musée Régional d'Auvergne preserve local memory, while venues such as the Centre Départemental des Musiques et Danses Traditionnelles bring music, dance and gastronomy to life.
Intangible heritage remains at the heart of the region's identity, thanks to dynamic local initiatives.
- The programme of events and visits is available fromRiom Tourist Office.
The Pays d'art et d'histoire d'Issoire: nature, history and heritage
The Pays d'Issoire is an enchanting place, with its varied landscapes, from the valley of the Allier to the pastures of the Cézallier, where each village, whether perched on a hill or nestling in the relief, tells a story enriched by its medieval and industrial heritage.
Romanesque art at the heart of the region's heritage
The Middle Ages left a rich legacy, with Romanesque abbeys and churches such as the abbey church of Saint-Austremoine in Issoire and the church of Notre-Dame in Mailhat, as well as castral chapels perched on rocky promontories.
Medieval fortifications and historical treasures
Castles and fortresses such as Nonette-Orsonnette and Usson bear witness to the power of the lords, while the refined decor of the châteaux of Saint-Floret and Parentignat evokes the luxury of bygone eras.
A living industrial and craft tradition
The "Côtes d'Auvergne" winegrowing region around the village of Boudes and Montpeyroux, designated as one of France's most beautiful villages, continues to thrive, as does innovation in sectors such as aluminium and aeronautics. The industrial past of the Brassac basin, marked by coal mining, is preserved in the mine museum.
- The programme of events and visits is available from theIssoire Tourist Office.
Pays d'art et d'histoire Billom Saint-Dier, an area rich in history and landscapes
The Pays de Billom Saint-Dier, between the Limagne and Livradois-Forez mountains, is an attractive area with a wide variety of landscapes and a rich historical heritage. The area forms a transition between the fertile Limagne and the Livradois hills. Human occupation, dating back to the Palaeolithic and marked by the Gallo-Roman era, bears witness to its dynamism.
A medieval heritage marked by the lords
Medieval churches, priories and castles such as those at Montmorin and Montaigut-le-Blanc reflect the influence of the region's powerful religious orders and lords.
An industrial boom in the 18th and 19th centuries
Industrialisation in the 19th century gave a new lease of life to local agriculture and industry, and although this activity had ceased, the area remained dynamic thanks to its crafts and culture.
Billom, shopping and cultural centre
In the Middle Ages, Billom prospered thanks to its markets and fairs, while becoming a centre of learning with the founding of France's first Jesuit college in the 16th century.
Clermont Auvergne Métropole's Pays d'art et d'histoire, a land of history and culture
The Pays d'art et d'histoire de Clermont Auvergne Métropole (Clermont Auvergne Metropolis Art and History Region), which was awarded the label in 2024, offers an exceptional wealth of heritage spread across the 21 communes of the metropolis. From village forts and wine-growing architecture to religious monuments and industrial heritage, each site reveals a unique facet of the region's history, combining medieval heritage, industrial revolution and 20th-century innovations.
Religious and architectural heritage
From the cathedral of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, a true symbol of the city, to the basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Clermont-Ferrand's religious architecture offers a journey through the centuries.
20th century architecture
With 88% of its buildings dating from the 20th century, Clermont Auvergne Métropole stands out for its modern architecture. From Art Deco to functionalist architecture, the city reflects the changing styles and urban needs of the last century.
Industry and workers' housing estates
The region's industrial heritage also includes factories, workers' housing estates and evidence of coal mining and the development of the metal and textile industries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Michelin factory, emblematic of Clermont-Ferrand, illustrates this industrial wealth with the rise of the tyre industry and its major impact on the local economy and urban planning.
