Heritage and culture in Terra Volcana

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Heritage and culture

From Riom to Châtel-Guyon, via Mozac and Randan, Terra Volcana combines history, nature and living culture. A destination to explore for those looking for tourism that combines heritage, know-how and inspiration in the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes.

Cultural holidays A volcanic land of heritage

North of Clermont-Ferrand, Terra Volcana invites you on a journey to the heart of the Auvergne, where heritage, nature and creativity meet.

From Riom, which has been awarded the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire label, to the majestic abbey church at Mozac, via the castles and churches nestling between the plain and the volcanoes, each stone tells a story.

The picturesque villages of Châtel-Guyon, Aigueperse and Artonne will captivate you with their authentic charm and gentle way of life.

Between two visits, the museums, craft workshops and local creations reveal all the know-how of a vibrant region attached to its roots.

Here, the journey is as much cultural as it is sensory: an immersion in a land of character, rich in emotion, art and memory.

Architectural heritage Abbeys, churches and castles in Auvergne Discover our nuggets!

Terra Volcana is home to a remarkable religious and feudal heritage. TheSaint-Pierre abbey church in Mozac, founded in the VIIᵉ century, fascinates visitors with its sculpted Romanesque capitals. The castles of Randan or Tournoël are reminders of the lordly power of the area. Between volcanic stone and spirituality, each building tells a part ofAuvergne’s history. These places invite you to discover a unique and well-preserved art of building.

Castles, abbeys, churches

Culture and know-how Museums, arts and crafts A volcanic culture!

Rich in tradition, Terra Volcana promotes its local Auvergne crafts: enamelling on lava, ceramics, sculpture and glass-blowing. These crafts perpetuate a strong link between nature and creation. The museums of Riom and Volvic bear witness to this creativity: ancient art, contemporary design, regional ethnology. Between culture and crafts, the region reveals an inspiring authenticity, reflecting a preserved Auvergne art of living.

Museums, arts and crafts

Must-see villages Riom, a land of art and history Architecture well worth the diversions!

At the heart of Terra Volcana, Riom boasts a rich architectural heritage. Labelled a Pays d’Art et d’Histoire (Land of Art and History), the town unveils its private mansions, its lava stone streets and the majestic Tour de l’Horloge (Clock Tower), offering a unique panorama of the plain and the volcanoes. There is also the Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic jewel from the XIVᵉ century, and some fascinating museums. Riom is a compendium of history and culture, both authentic and lively.

Riom, Land of art and history

Atypical villages Auvergne towns and villages with character Our local nuggets!

Terra Volcana is full of typical, unusual villages that are a must-see during your stay. In Châtel-Guyon, a Belle-Époque spa town, well-being is combined with architectural elegance. Mozac and Aigueperse will charm you with their quiet lanes and old houses. Artonne, one of the oldest villages in the Auvergne, exudes serenity. Everywhere you look, you’ll find the local identity of calm, nature and conviviality.

Towns and villages of character